Minnesota Center for the Book

The Friends is the Center for the Book in Minnesota, designated by the Library of Congress. The Center for the Book is a national initiative established in 1977 to promote reading, literacy, libraries, as well as the scholarly study of books.

All 50 states, plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, have a designated Center for the Book. The Friends was honored with this distinction largely because of the success of our statewide programs, including the Minnesota Book Awards. As Minnesota’s Center for the Book, The Friends produces dynamic programming that benefits all ages and reaches all corners of the state, such as the following.

View our latest impact snapshot here.

Watch Center for the Book Exclusive Recordings

National Book Festival: Great Reads for Adults 2023

National Book Festival: Great Reads for Children 2023

National Book Festival: Great Reads from Great Places

Introduced by Suzanne Walker, Director of the Indiana Center for the Book, this video features Baptiste and Miranda Paul, authors of "Peace" (chosen by the Wisconsin Center for the Book); Clayton Anderson, author of "Letters from Space" (chosen by the Nebraska Center for the Book); Carol Boston Weatherford, author of "R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul" (chosen by the Michigan Center for the Book); Tracy Subisak, author and illustrator of "Jenny Mei is Sad" (Chosen by the Ohio Center for the Book); and David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka, author and illustrator, respectively, of "How to Apologize" (Chosen by the Minnesota Center for the Book) responding to a series of questions about their work and how it fits into the theme of the National Book Festival as well as sharing a book that was significant to them growing up and either their favorite thing about their state or sharing an item that relates to their personality.

Presented as a part of the Library of Congress National Book Festival 2021, this conversation features children's book authors from across the nation in conversation. Featured authors include Daniel Bernstrom, author of “Big Papa and the Time Machine” (chosen by Minnesota Center for the Book); Suzanne Greenlaw and Gabriel Frey, authors of “The First Blade of Sweetgrass” (chosen by Maine Center for the Book); Barbara Lowell, author of “My Mastodon” (chosen by Oklahoma Center for the Book); and John Micklos, author of “Raindrops to Rainbow” (chosen by Delaware Center for the Book).

Read Around the States

In this video Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota's 6th Congressional District reads from "It's Milking Time" by Phyllis Alsdurf. Alayne Hopkins, director of programs and services at The Friends interviews Alsdurf about the book. The video is part of "Read Around the States" in which you can listen to members of Congress read from their favorite books for young people. Each video includes an interview with the author, in association with an affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book.

Latest news:

Minnesota Book Award winner Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld was chosen as the Minnesota title for the 2024 Library of Congress Great Reads from Great Places list! View the full list here.

Minnesota Center for the Book Programs

Minnesota Book Awards

The Minnesota Book Awards is a year-long program that fosters the literary arts community in our state with the ultimate goal of creating stronger communities.

The process begins in the fall with book submissions and continues through winter and into spring with two rounds of judging. Also woven throughout the season are various engagement activities and events that promote the authors and connect the entire world of Minnesota books to readers throughout the North Star State.

Minnesota Book Awards Page >>

One Book | One Minnesota

One Book | One Minnesota is a new statewide book club that invites Minnesotans of all ages to read a common title and come together virtually to enjoy, reflect, and discuss.

Libraries are essential for connection, and through One Book | One Minnesota, libraries across the state will connect their communities through stories. The program aims to bring Minnesotans closer together during this time of distance and adversity.

One Book | One Minnesota page >>

Minnesota Writers Directory

The Friends created this online resource that connects writers across the state with people who want to hear more about their stories and their craft..

With this interactive directory, event hosts, literary organizers, teachers, arts administrators, librarians, and booksellers throughout Minnesota can find local authors who might be a good fit for their programming. Minnesota writers have the opportunity to reach a broader audience, and booklovers can find more inspiration from their home state.

Visit the Minnesota Writers Directory: www.mnwritersdirectory.org

Minnesota Writers Map

Available in both hard copy and interactive online formats, this map is a collection of writers, from historical to modern times, whose contributions to the state’s literary legacy are profound.

Visit the interactive Minnesota Writers Map: www.mnwritersmap.org.

Download a printable copy of the map here or request a printed copy for your classroom here.

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