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
- In-person retrieval and immediate checkout of materials to patrons of Arizona Talking Book Library
- Walk-in reference service for Archives & the Research Library
- Ask a Question - online reference service
- Digital Arizona Library, including statewide electronic resources
- Records retention schedules assistance
- Arizona Talking Book Library requests and link to downloads
- Tools and resources for library staff
- Online continuing education for library staff
- Consulting for library staff on grants, electronic resources, digital inclusion efforts, Public Library Survey and all library services
- Communications channel for County Librarians
- E-rate Services offered online and by phone
- Arizona Capitol Museum Giftshop orders can still be placed online
- Arizona Capitol Museum collections can be viewed online through the Arizona Memory Project and Google Cultural Institute
- Arizona Capitol Museum staff can respond to email and phone call inquiries.
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About the Arizona Center for the Book
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, broadcast specials and other activities. The National Book Festival has become one of the pre-eminent literary events in the United States. The Festival is virtual in 2021, and the Arizona Center for the Book will take its place as part of Great Reads from Great Places.
Our Great Read for 2021 is Nobody Hugs a Cactus by Carter Goodrich.
"Hank is the prickliest cactus in the entire world: He doesn’t like noise, he doesn’t like rowdiness and he definitely does not like hugs. But when Hank discovers that being alone can be quite lonely, he comes up with a plan to get a hug from a friend. Carter Goodrich’s illustrations in “Nobody Hugs a Cactus” (Simon & Schuster) present a landscape that is quintessentially Southern Arizona, spotted with saguaro cacti and other desert wildlife."
Borrow a copy of Nobody Hugs a Cactus through your local library today!
Enjoy the National Book Festival experience with the Library of Congress in 2021 by engaging in a variety of ways online. Carter Goodrich joins other Great Reads authors in this video to talk about his book, about writing and about interacting with the natural world.
The Festival runs from September 17 – 26 with the theme, “Open a Book, Open the World.”
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
- Literary Landmark
- Southwest Books of the Year
- Summer Reading Library Programs
- Writers in Residence in Libraries
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
Informal and creative learning provided through summer library programs are more important than ever. They provide families the opportunity to stay engaged in learning even when schools are closed for summer. From curbside checkout, take and make kits, summer meals, to virtual programs and events -- libraries are meeting the diverse needs in their communities. In addition, libraries provide services in a variety of formats including virtual, in-person, and outreach programs. To learn about the creative summer programs that libraries across Arizona provide throughout the summer go to Reading Programs at Your Library page.
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.
