07/30/2026
As we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Oklahoma Center for the Book throughout 2026, we're also looking back at where it all began.
The national Center for the Book was established by Congress in 1977, with Librarian of Congress Daniel J. Boorstin helping launch an initiative dedicated to celebrating books, reading, libraries, and literacy. What started as a national effort has grown into a network of Centers for the Book in every state and several U.S. territories, connecting readers, writers, librarians, and communities across the country.
Today, the Center for the Book network includes affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Oklahoma became one of the first state affiliates when it joined that growing network in early 1986. Under the leadership of its first executive director, Aarone Corwin, the Oklahoma Center for the Book began promoting Oklahoma authors, libraries, literacy, and a lifelong love of reading. For the past 40 years, the Oklahoma Center for the Book has celebrated our state's literary heritage while encouraging readers of all ages.
Since its founding, the Oklahoma Center for the Book has been led by five executive directors: first executive director Aarone Corwin, followed by Ann Hamilton, Glenda Carlile, Connie Armstrong, and Michelle Hall. Today, the Oklahoma Center for the Book is part of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, where it continues to celebrate Oklahoma authors, encourage reading, and connect people with books and libraries.
Here's to 40 years of celebrating Oklahoma's literary heritage and to many more.
Learn more about the Oklahoma Center for the Book: oklahoma.gov/libraries/ocb
