Arizona Center for the Book

Arizona State Library, Archives & Records COVID-19 Response – Temporarily suspending all in-person services, while maintaining our statutory responsibilities

  • Our number one goal is to keep the public and our employees safe
  • The situation related to COVID-19 is rapidly developing, as is the response from this office and the state. Please check back regularly for updates
  • We are committed to providing continuity of services while reducing exposure risks
  • In-person trainings for ALL divisions are on hold until further notice. Divisions will hold trainings by webinar as needed.
  • Department staff will attend community meetings virtually or by phone, when available.
  • Services impacted:
    • In-person Patent and Trademark Resource Center consultations
    • The Arizona Capitol Museum is closed until further notice.
    • In-person retrieval and immediate checkout of materials to patrons of Arizona Talking Book Library
    • Walk-in reference service for Archives & the Research Library

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About the Arizona Center for the Book

Arizona Center for the Book Logo

The Arizona Center for the Book at the Arizona State Library sponsors programs that highlight the state’s literary heritage and call attention to the importance of books, reading, literacy and libraries.

The Arizona Center for the Book is an affiliate of the National Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Starting in 1984, the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress began to establish affiliate centers in the 50 states. Today, there is a State Center for the Book in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Arizona Center for the Book at the Arizona State Library received its designation on January 2, 2004.

National Book Festival

The Library of Congress National Book Festival is an annual literary event that brings together best-selling authors and thousands of book fans for author talks, panel discussions, book signings and other activities. Over its 20 year history, the National Book Festival has become one of the pre-eminent literary events in the United States. 

The Festival is virtual in 2020, and the Arizona Center for the Book will take its place as part of the Roadmap to Reading.  The Center's virtual booth will offer Arizona activities and literacy-linked information along with an introduction to our 2020 Great Read, Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story.

Discover Great Places Through Reading. The Arizona Center for the Book has selected Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal to represent Arizona at the 2020 National Book Festival.

Meet the Author & Illustrator of Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story and learn more about the book.

Arizona Center for the Book Programs

Please click on any of the following links to find more information regarding the Arizona Center for the Book programs:

Early Literacy Library Programs

Did you know that 90% of a child's brain develops by age five? The Arizona Center for the Book supports Early Literacy programs in libraries that help young children develop the skills they need to read during this foundational time for learning. By connecting with organizations like First Things First and Read On Arizona, the Arizona Center for the Book empowers parents and caregivers to be their child's first teacher and prepare children to read.

Visit your local library to learn more about early learning programs in your area.

Literary Landmark

A service of United for Libraries, a Literary Landmark™ is the designation for any special location in a community that is tied to a deceased literary figure, author or his or her work. Arizona’s first Literary Landmark was dedicated in honor of author Barbara Park at the Cherokee Elementary School in Paradise Valley.

Southwest Books of the Year

Southwest Books of the Year highlights outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction that feature a southwestern setting or subject. The publication is produced by Pima County Public Library and the Arizona Center for the Book helps distribute up to 12,000 copies of the publication to public, tribal and academic libraries outside Pima County.

Summer Reading Library Programs

For information on Arizona's Online Summer Reading Program, check out Arizona Summer Reading. For other summer reading programs, visit your local library.

Writers in Residence in Libraries

In its sixth year, the Writers in Residence in Libraries program supports content creation in Arizona by connecting local, professional authors with their communities through public libraries. For the 2021 cycle, five libraries received $4800 each to provide published Arizona authors with physical or virtual workspace and opportunities to share their knowledge about the creative and business aspects of writing. The authors will receive a stipend while composing new works and providing education for community members. 

Here are the libraries that received a 2021 Writers in Residence in Libraries grant:

  • Apache Junction Public Library
  • Elsie S. Hogan Community Library
  • Glendale Public Library
  • Mesa Public Library
  • Pima County Public Library

Writers in Residence in Libraries is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.