The National Book Foundation (NBF) is an American nonprofit organization established with the goal "to raise the cultural appreciation of great writing in America."[1] Established in 1989 by National Book Awards, Inc.,[2] the foundation is the administrator and sponsor of the National Book Awards, a set of literary awards inaugurated in 1936 and continuous from 1950. It also organizes and sponsors public and educational programs.[3]
 | |
| Founded | July 1989 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Services | Celebrating literary achievements |
| Fields | Literary Prize |
Key people | Ruth Dickey, Executive Director, David Steinberger, Chairman |
| Staff | 8 staff, 18 board members |
| Website | nationalbook |
The National Book Foundation's board of directors comprises representatives of American literary institutions and the book industry. In 2009, the board included the president of the New York Public Library, the chief merchandising officer of Barnes & Noble, the President/publisher of Grove/Atlantic, Inc., and others.[4] In 2021, Ruth Dickey succeeded Lisa Lucas as the foundation's fourth executive director.[5]
Awards
editNational Book Awards
editFounded in 1950, the National Book Awards are a series of annual literary prizes awarded to recognize outstanding American literature. Although other categories have been recognized in the past, the awards currently recognize the best works in the following published each year:
Non-citizens of the United States were ineligible for the National Book Award until 2018, when a petition process was introduced.[6]
The honored titles in each category are decided by an independent panel of writers, librarians, booksellers, and critics. These panels of five judges in each category select a longlist of ten titles per category, which is then narrowed down to five finalists. Winners are announced at the National Book Awards Ceremony and Benefit Dinner in November.
5 Under 35
editThe 5 Under 35 program was started in 2005 in order to honor five debut fiction writers, all under the age of thirty-five. The honorees are all chosen by previous National Book Awards–honored writers or 5 Under 35 honorees.[7] Each award comes with a cash prize of $1,000.[8] The 5 Under 35 Ceremony has been hosted by Questlove, Carrie Brownstein, LeVar Burton[9] and others.
Science + Literature
editStarted in 2022 by the NBF and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation,[10] the Science + Literature program awards three books published in the US annually that "deepen readers' understanding of science and technology."[11][12][13]
Lifetime Achievement
editIn addition to the five National Book Awards presented each year, the foundation presents two lifetime achievement awards: the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community.[14][15]
Other programs
editEducation programs
editBookUp
editBookUp, the National Book Foundation's flagship educational program, connects middle- and high-school students with local authors and runs free reading groups. Since its start in 2007, BookUp has given away over 35,000 free books. The program currently serves students at over 20 different sites in New York City, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Huntsville, TX, helping approximately 500 students to build their home libraries as well as their literacy skills each year.
Book Rich Environments
editThe Book Rich Environments initiative connects families living in public housing communities with reading-related resources including free, high-quality books, library activities, and educational programming. The program is conducted in 37 HUD-assisted communities nationwide. Since 2017, the program has distributed over two million free books to children and families.[16]
NBF Teacher Fellowship
editThe National Book Foundation (NBF) Teacher Fellowship aims to support 6th-12th grade public school teachers "using innovative methods to make reading for pleasure a part of their students' school day experience" through professional development, a book buying budget, and a small stipend.
Teens Read the National Book Awards
editTeens Read the National Book Awards, formerly known as “Teen Press Conference,” is an annual event where New York City high school students interview National Book Award nominated authors.[17][18]
Public programs
editNBF Presents
editNBF Presents programs bring National Book Awards honorees a to libraries, colleges, book festivals, and performance venues across the country for a series of readings and other literary events. The series is partially modeled after the long-running National Book Awards on Campus program, which began in 2005. National Book Awards on Campus brought National Book Award winners and finalists to college campuses at Sam Houston State University,[19] Concordia College,[20] Amherst College,[21] and Rollins College,[22] all of which continue to host NBF Presents events each year.
Literature for Justice
editLiterature for Justice (LFJ) is a campaign that seeks "to contextualize and humanize the experiences of incarcerated people in the United States" by selecting and promoting a list of five books, chosen annually by a group of authors and advocates for the incarcerated to the American reading public.
Past Programs
editRecent past programs include Author in Focus; Eat, Drink & Be Literary; the Innovations in Reading Prize; Notes from the Reading Life; Raising Readers; and Why Reading Matters.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Lisa Lucas Wants to Make Reading Fun Again". The New York Times. September 7, 2016.
- ^ Edwin McDowell. "Book Notes: 'The Joy Luck Club' is to be in paperback ... The National Book Awards' new foundation". The New York Times, July 5, 1989, page C19.
- ^ Kellogg, Carolyn (May 27, 2016). "Lisa Lucas, head of the National Book Foundation, wants you to love reading". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "National Book Foundation Names Two New Board Members". publishersweekly.com.
- ^ "National Book Foundation Names Ruth Dickey as New Executive Director". February 10, 2021.
- ^ Stochl, Emily (November 2, 2020). "Citizenship is an Outdated Requirement for Literary Prize Eligibility". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ^ Schaub, Michael (September 29, 2016). "Meet the National Book Foundation's 5 Under 35". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Here Are The 2015 National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Honorees". BuzzFeed. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ "The National Book Foundation Reveals Its "5 Under 35" Honorees". Flavorwire. September 30, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ Gresko, Brian (March 10, 2022). "National Book Foundation Unveils New Science + Literature Program". Poets & Writers. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "Science + Literature Program". National Book Foundation. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ Italie, Hillel (January 24, 2024). "Works of poetry, fiction and nonfiction receive $10,000 "Science + Literature" awards". Associated Press. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "3 winners selected for $10,000 science and literature awards". Associated Press. January 25, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "James Patterson Honored At National Book Awards". Michael Cavacini. November 19, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ "Robert Caro to receive honorary National Book Award medal". ap.org.
- ^ Maher, John (July 24, 2024). "NBF's Book Rich Environments Program Hits Two Million Book Donations". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Iyana (November 16, 2023). ""Be Brave... Just Read": Highlights from the 2023 NBA Teen Press Conference". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ "Teens Read". National Book Foundation. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ University, Sam Houston State. "National Book Awards Festival". SHSU Online.
- ^ "NBA History". Concordia College.
- ^ "The Common Literary Magazine - National Book Awards on Campus - Amherst College". www.amherst.edu.
- ^ "Rollins College Partners with the National Book Awards - Arts & Culture - Rollins College 360 News". 360.rollins.edu.
Citations
edit- National Book Foundation. nationalbook.org.
- National Book Foundation: Presenter of the National Book Awards. This home page retrieved 2014-12-06 carries the internal title "2014 National Book Award Winners".
