Promote and Celebrate Oklahoma Writing and Reading

The Oklahoma Center for the Book (OCB) is a state affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and is dedicated to promoting books, reading, and Oklahoma's literary heritage.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, the Center continues its mission of connecting readers with books, authors, and literary experiences while encouraging a lifelong love of reading among Oklahomans of all ages.

Established in 1986, the Oklahoma Center for the Book works in partnership with the non-profit Friends of the Oklahoma Center for the Book to support literary programs and recognize excellence in Oklahoma writing.

Oklahoma Book Awards recognize outstanding books written by Oklahomans or about Oklahoma in the categories of fiction, non-fiction, children/young adult, poetry, and design/illustration/photography. The program also includes the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award, the Ralph Ellison Award, and other honors recognizing achievement, service, and contributions to Oklahoma's literary community.

My Favorite Book writing contest encourages students in grades 4–12 to share how a favorite book has influenced their lives through personal letters to authors. The annual contest celebrates reading, writing, and the impact books can have on young readers.

Read Across Oklahoma connects readers with authors, storytellers, and literacy-focused programs. The initiative includes a statewide reading event and special programs hosted at libraries and communities across Oklahoma.

Great Reads from Great Places highlights Oklahoma books on a national stage through the Library of Congress Center for the Book network. Each year, the Oklahoma Center for the Book selects titles to represent Oklahoma in the Great Reads from Great Places program at the National Book Festival. OCB also participates in the Festival's Roadmap to Reading exhibit, where visitors can discover books from every state and territory and "read their way across America" while exploring the stories that make each place unique.

Oklahoma Authors Collection is an online resource that highlights Oklahoma's rich writing tradition through profiles of contemporary and historical authors. The collection helps connect readers, students, and researchers with information about Oklahoma authors and their contributions to the state's literary and cultural landscape.

In addition to these programs, the Oklahoma Center for the Book brings readers and writers together through literary events, partnerships, and special projects across the state. The Center also supports literary activities through grants and staff assistance, helping promote a love of reading and celebrate Oklahoma's rich storytelling traditions.

For questions about Oklahoma Center for the Book, email info@libraries.ok.gov.

The Oklahoma Center for the Book has selected Braided Roots by Pasha Westbrook, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight, and Black Moses: A Saga of Ambition and the Fight for a Black State by Caleb Gayle as Oklahoma's entries in the 2026 Great Reads from Great Places program.

Coordinated by the Library of Congress Center for the Book, Great Reads from Great Places highlights books that reflect the literary heritage, culture, and stories of each state and territory. Selected titles are featured at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.