(The following is a guest post by Guy Lamolinara, communications officer in the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress.)
Three awards totaling $250,000 are being offered for the fifth year in a row by the Library of Congress Literacy Awards program. Applications are due no later than March 31 at midnight EST.
If you are part of an organization doing exemplary work in literacy or know of an organization that deserves recognition, you can nominate your organization or another organization through a simple application process.
Superstar author Stephen King, who participated in the Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 24, received a Literacy Champion citation from the Library for his work in promoting reading. He also recorded a special public service announcement for us. The international best-selling author of more than 50 books and almost 200 short stories, many of which have been adapted for film or other media, has sold more than 350 million books worldwide.
“No one person or group is going to move the needle alone,” King said in the video released through the Library’s social media channels. “But together, we can make a difference. That is why I am joining the Library of Congress in supporting the thousands of organizations around the world that are working to promote literacy.”
The Literacy Awards, supported through the generosity of David M. Rubenstein, have so far given more than $1 million to outstanding literacy groups in both the United States and worldwide. You can read more about the awards and the prior winners at www.read.gov/literacyawards/.
Library of Congress Literacy Awards program furthers the Library’s mission by honoring organizations that have made outstanding contributions to increasing literacy in the United States or abroad. The awards also encourage the continuing development of innovative methods for promoting literacy and the wide dissemination of the most effective practices. They are intended to draw public attention to the importance of literacy, and the need to promote literacy and encourage reading.