The reading public knows The National Book Foundation from the National Book Awards it presents each year. In addition to rewarding the writer of the best American writing in the last year, The Foundation is starting a new prize that awards the promoters of reading. The Innovations in Reading Prize will pay up to $2,500 to “each individual and institution, or partnership between the two, who have developed innovative means of creating and sustaining a lifelong love of reading.” They are less interested in literacy programs, rather the award is for expanding the reading audience. The nominees should “demonstrate creativity, risk-taking, and a visionary quality as well as model a novel way of presenting books and literature.” The application and further information is online.
Claire and I would love to see a program promoted by an independent bookstore win the prize.
UPDATE: The deadline for the award has been extended to February 15th.
Tags: prize
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