Oklahoma Center for the Book

The Oklahoma Center for the Book (OCB) is a state affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, and is organized to focus attention on the vital role of books and reading in our lives. The Center promotes the past, current, and future works of Oklahoma authors; promotes the literary heritage of the state; and encourages reading for pleasure by Oklahomans of all ages.

When the Library of Congress announced the granting of permission to States to become part of their program, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries assembled an advisory group and wrote a proposal. The Oklahoma Center for the Book became the fourth state center on February 28, 1986.

The Center partners with the non-profit Friends of the Oklahoma Center for the Book on a variety of literary events. For more than 30 years, the two organizations have co-sponsored the annual Oklahoma Book Awards.

Oklahoma Book Awards are given each year in fiction, non-fiction, children/young adult, poetry, and design/illustration categories for work written by an Oklahoman or about Oklahoma.

Along with the annual Book Awards, the Center honors an Oklahoman who has contributed to the state's literary heritage by giving the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is named for Norman historian, Arrell Gibson, the Center's first president.

From time to time, the Ralph Ellison Award, honoring a deceased Oklahoma writer, is presented. The award is named after the first recipient, Ralph Ellison, author of the ground-breaking novel Invisible Man.

In addition to these activities, the Center brings readers and writers of all ages together at libraries and bookstores across the state for special events. The Center often supports other literary activities through grants and staff assistance.

Join the Friends of the Oklahoma Center for the Book.

President - Steven Baker - Oklahoma City
Vice-President of Membership - Kelley Riha - Oklahoma City
Secretary - Jeanne Devlin - Oklahoma City
Treasurer - Gini Moore Campbell - Oklahoma City

Wiley Barnes, Ada
Bob Burke, Oklahoma City
Glenda Carlile, Oklahoma City
Margaret Carlile, Warner
Betty Casey, Tulsa
Judy Haught, Elk City
Rudy Ellis, Ardmore
Betty Falato, Norman
Emily Blackshear, Stillwater
Kathleen Kelly Mirashi, Norman/Austin, TX
Troy Milligan, El Reno/Oklahoma City
Richard Rouillard, Oklahoma City
Alice Stanton, Weatherford

• Library of Congress Center for the Book
• Oklahoma Authors Collection
• Literary Landmarks

For questions about Oklahoma Center for the Book, email Connie Armstrong or call her at 405-522-3383 (main number 405-521-2502).