Skip to main content
Arizona State Library Logo

Main menu

  • Home
  • About
    • Volunteering Opportunities
      • Volunteer at the Arizona Talking Book Library
    • Boards and Commissions
    • Contact Us
  • Branches
    • Archives & Records Management
      • Accessing Arizona Public Records
      • Conservation Disaster Recovery
      • Programs, Training, and Presentations
      • Records Center Services
        • Records Warehouse and Vault
      • Research at the Archives
        • Ancestry.com Arizona
        • Arizona State Agency Records and Publications
        • Genealogy Collection
          • Genealogy Information Portals
          • Ten Basic Steps to Researching Your Family Tree
        • Maps at the Arizona State Archives
        • Photograph Collections
          • Photograph Collection List
        • Arizona Women's Hall of Fame
      • Retention Schedules, Forms, Standards, Guidance and FAQs
        • Forms and Approvals
        • Guidance, Standards and Statutes
        • Retention Schedules
      • Contact
    • Arizona Talking Book Library
    • E-Rate
    • Library Development
      • Arizona Center for the Book
        • Reading Programs At Your Library
      • Arizona Reading Program
      • Contact Library Development
      • Continuing Education
        • Arizona State Library Leadership Institute
        • Arizona State Library Summer Institute
        • Get Involved Collaborative
        • Scholarships
        • Library Support Staff Certification
      • Library Directory
      • Grants
      • Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) Funding
      • Programs, Services and Tools
      • State Grants-in-Aid (SGIA)
    • State of Arizona Research Library
      • Legislative Assistance and Resources
      • Patent and Trademark Resources
      • State Publications
      • State of Arizona Research Library Policies
      • Arizona Collection
      • Arizona Newspapers
      • Federal Agency Publications and Information
      • Legal Resources
      • Research Center
        • Voting Rights Timeline
      • Research for State Employees
  • Collections
    • Digital Arizona Library (DAZL)
      • Resources for Learners
        • Elementary Students
        • High School and Junior High
        • Research Topics
      • Arizona Almanac
      • Reading Arizona eBooks
      • Arizona Maps Online
      • Arizona Government
        • State Agency Histories
        • Historic Election Materials
        • Documents Leading to Statehood
        • Historic Arizona Legislatures
      • Arizona Historic Digital Newspapers
      • Arizona Memory Project
      • Arizona Research Topics
      • Online Reference Resources
    • Arizona State Knowledge (ASK)
    • Arizona Talking Book Library Online Catalog
    • Braille and Audio Reading Download
    • Research Library Catalog
  • Events
  • Services
    • Library Directory
    • Jobline
    • Newsletter
    • Retention Schedules
  • Home
  • Branches
  • Library Development
  • Arizona Center for the Book
Please excuse our site and file changes as we transition to Secretary Fontes.

Arizona Center for the Book

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 and Great Reads from Great Places

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 Festival will be held September 3 & 4, 2022 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. The Arizona Center for the Book will take its place as part of Great Reads from Great Places.

Our Great Read for 2022 is Across the Desert by Dusti Bowling.

“One girl sets out on a journey across the treacherous Arizona desert to rescue a young pilot stranded after a plane crash in this gripping story of survival, friendship, and rescue from a bestselling and award-winning author.” 

Borrow a copy of Across the Desert through your local library today!
Download the Across the Desert Book Club Guide

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

The Writers in Residence program promotes writing in communities by connecting local, professional authors to serve as Writers in Residence at public libraries. Writers in Residence spend time at the library during their residency composing new works and providing education for community members.

The following libraries were awarded LSTA funds to host a Writers in Residence program:

  • Chandler Public Library
  • Mesa Public Library
  • Pima County Public Library
  • Tempe Public Library

For its 9th year, the Writers in Residence program has been aligned with the regular LSTA subgrant cycle. The following are the new guidelines and dates.

Grant Guidelines

Important Dates
Grant Application Due: March 3, 2023
First Residency: Sept 1, 2023 – Nov 1, 2023
Second Residency: Feb 1, 2024 – April 1, 2024
Optional Third Residency: May 1, 2024 – July 1, 2024
Final Report Due: September 6, 2024

For more information, contact Donna Throckmorton at [email protected].

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.

 

Branches

  • Archives & Records Management
    • Accessing Arizona Public Records
    • Conservation Disaster Recovery
    • Programs, Training, and Presentations
    • Records Center Services
      • Records Warehouse and Vault
    • Research at the Archives
      • Ancestry.com Arizona
      • Arizona State Agency Records and Publications
      • Genealogy Collection
      • Maps at the Arizona State Archives
      • Photograph Collections
      • Arizona Women's Hall of Fame
    • Retention Schedules, Forms, Standards, Guidance and FAQs
      • Forms and Approvals
      • Guidance, Standards and Statutes
      • Retention Schedules
    • Contact
  • Arizona Talking Book Library
  • E-Rate
  • Library Development
    • Arizona Center for the Book
      • Reading Programs At Your Library
    • Arizona Reading Program
    • Contact Library Development
    • Continuing Education
      • Arizona State Library Leadership Institute
      • Arizona State Library Summer Institute
      • Get Involved Collaborative
      • Scholarships
      • Library Support Staff Certification
    • Library Directory
    • Grants
    • Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) Funding
    • Programs, Services and Tools
    • State Grants-in-Aid (SGIA)
  • State of Arizona Research Library
    • Legislative Assistance and Resources
    • Patent and Trademark Resources
    • State Publications
    • State of Arizona Research Library Policies
    • Arizona Collection
    • Arizona Newspapers
    • Federal Agency Publications and Information
    • Legal Resources
    • Research Center
      • Voting Rights Timeline
    • Research for State Employees

Contact Us

1700 W. Washington St., B-002
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Phone 602-542-6200
Fax (602) 542-1575

Contact Library Development

 

 

Arizona State Seal
Contact Us
Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records
Multiple Locations
See Contact Us Page
Map Image

Footer Nav

  • Statewide Policies
  • Site Map
  • Website Policies
  • Contact Us
  • Staff Login