Fields Literary Prize Founded 1989 Type of business Nonprofit organization | Website nationalbook.org | |
Services Celebrating literary achievements Key people Lisa Lucas, Executive Director (March 2016) Staff 7 staff, 21 board members Similar American Academy of Arts an, Graywolf Press, PEN American Center, Openhousenewyork, Central Park Conservancy Profiles | ||
National book foundation
The National Book Foundation (NBF) is an American nonprofit organization established "to raise the cultural appreciation of great writing in America". Established 1989 by National Book Awards, Inc., the foundation is the administrator and sponsor of the National Book Awards, a changing set of literary awards inaugurated 1936 and continuous from 1950. It also organizes and sponsors public and educational programs.
Contents
- National book foundation
- part 2 of 2 poetry and the public national book foundation
- Awards
- Book Up
- 5 Under 35
- Teen Press Conference
- National Book Awards on Campus
- Eat Drink Be Literary
- References
The National Book Foundation's Board of Directors comprises representatives of American literary institutions and the book industry. For example, 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. In 2016, Lisa Lucas became the Foundation's third Executive Director.
The National Book Foundation states the mission "to celebrate the best of American literature, to expand its audience, and to enhance the cultural value of great writing in America."
part 2 of 2 poetry and the public national book foundation
Awards
The original task of the National Book Foundation was to award the National Book Award. The Award was given without the foundation from 1950 until it was replaced with The American Book Awards in 1980, with 16 different categories. In 1987, the National Book Award was reestablished. The award split into 4 categories in 1996: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Young People's Literature. The winner in each category is decided by an independent panel of writers, librarians, booksellers, and critics.
In addition to four National Book Awards to authors for particular books, 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.
The Foundation annually awards the Innovations in Reading Prize ($10,000) to "individuals and institutions—or partnerships between the two—that have developed innovative means of creating and sustaining a lifelong love of reading."
Book Up
Book Up is an after school program for middle school students to foster a lifelong love of reading. The program is designed in a way meant to show kids how enjoyable reading can be, and to improve their confidence in their reading abilities. Middle School students are chosen as studies have shown that this is the age that students are the most likely to stop reading.
The Program is typically run by authors with experience in teaching. Sessions last for at least 24 weeks, over which students share their reading interests and previous experiences with reading. Since BookUp began, the program has given out more than 30,000 free books to students. The program started in 2007 in New York City and has expanded to Hunstville, TX, Detroit, MI, and created BookUp LGBTQ for LGBTQ youth.
5 Under 35
The 5 Under 35 program was started in 2005 in order to honor 5 young writers, all under the age of 35. The winners are all chosen by previous Finalists of the National Book Award. In 2015, the winners were chosen by previous 5 Under 35 honorees. Each award comes with a cash prize of $1,000. The 5 Under 35 Ceremony has been hosted by Questlove, Carrie Brownstein, LeVar Burton and others.
Teen Press Conference
The Teen Press Conference invites middle and high school students in New York City to interview the five Young People's Literature Finalists the day before the National Book Awards. Students are provided copies of the Finalists' books. In 2015, the Teen Press Conference took place at the 92nd Street Y with host Jacqueline Woodson, a National Book Award Winner, as well as in Miami as part of the Miami Book Festival.
National Book Awards on Campus
National Book Awards on Campus is a program that brings National Book Award winners and finalists to college campuses. In 2015, for its 11th season, NBA on Campus took place at Sam Houston State University, Concordia College, Amherst College, and Rollins College.
Eat, Drink & Be Literary
Eat, Drink & Be Literary is the National Book Foundation's partnership with BAM to create an intimate evening of food and literary conversation.