Library of Congress Now Accepting Applications for 2018 Literacy Awards

loc.gov

Prizes Recognize Innovative Organizations Promoting Literacy and Reading; Deadline for Applications is April 30

Press Contact: Brett Zongker, (202) 707-1639
Public Contact: Center for the Book, (202) 707-5221; cfbook@loc.gov
Website: Library of Congress Literacy Awards

Applications are now being accepted for the 2018 Library of Congress Literacy Awards, which are made possible through the generosity of philanthropist David M. Rubenstein.

These awards, which were created by the Library of Congress and Rubenstein in 2013, honor innovative organizations working to promote literacy both in the United States and worldwide. The awards also encourage the continuing development of advanced methods for promoting literacy; ensure wide dissemination of literacy best practices; and raise public awareness of the importance of literacy and the need to promote literacy and encourage reading.

Three prizes will be awarded in 2018: 

• The David M. Rubenstein Prize ($150,000) is awarded for an outstanding and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels. The prize is awarded to an organization based either inside or outside the United States that has demonstrated exceptional and sustained depth in its commitment to the advancement of literacy. 

• The American Prize ($50,000) is awarded for a significant and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels or the national awareness of the importance of literacy. The prize is awarded to an organization based in the United States. 

• The International Prize ($50,000) is awarded for a significant and measurable contribution to increasing literacy levels. The prize is awarded to an organization based outside the United States. 

Other organizations will be honored for their best practices in various areas of literacy promotion.

The application rules and a downloadable application form may be accessed at read.gov/literacyawards. Applications must be received no later than midnight Eastern Time on April 30, 2018.

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress administers the Literacy Awards program. The Librarian of Congress will make the final selection of the prize winners with recommendations from an advisory board of literacy experts.

More information about last year’s winners and other literacy leaders is available in “Library of Congress Literacy Awards” at read.gov/documents/BestPractices2017.pdf.

Congress created the Library’s Center for the Book in 1977 to stimulate public interest in books and reading. It has become a national force for reading and literacy promotion with affiliates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The affiliates will meet in the spring to exchange ideas. For more information, visit read.gov.

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States—and extensive materials from around the world—both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.

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PR 18-025
2018-03-09
ISSN 0731-3527