Seeking Ohio 2020 Library of Congress State Literacy Award Applications

Applications have closed for 2020.

After multiple nomination applications and feedback from members of the statewide library and education communities, we have chosen Ohio’s nominee to be considered by the Library of Congress for their State Literacy Awards. In deference to the organization chosen as our state’s nominee, we will be releasing the name of Ohio’s nominee, which is based in southwest Ohio in the greater Cincinnati area, if they are fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the Library of Congress’ award-winners in early 2020. Stay tuned!

The Ohio Center for the Book is seeking nominations of nonprofit Ohio organizations that promote literacy and/or reading in their local community or the state to be considered for the 2020 Library of Congress State Literacy Awards.

The awards are granted by the Library of Congress, through the generous support of David. M. Rubenstein, to nonprofit organizations/programs that have made outstanding and innovative contributions to promoting literacy and/or reading in the local communities.

Each state’s Center for the Book is able to select ONE nominee from their state to submit to the Library of Congress who will select up to 10 award winners from submitted nominations for a prize of $2,225 each.

To be considered for the Ohio 2020 Library of Congress State Literacy Award nomination, please submit your information at this link by Friday, November 22, 2019. You will be asked for the following:

  • Name of organization with contact name, email, phone, mailing address, and website
  • The names and contact Information for TWO references we may contact for letters of recommendation.
  • A paragraph describing what sets your organization apart in the promotion of literacy and/or reading. Consider including how many people have been impacted by the organization’s work, what makes their approach innovative, how long has the organization been active… Anything that highlights the organization’s success! (200 words maximum)

Please note: Only nonprofit organizations/programs currently headquartered and operating in Ohio will be considered. Individuals and for-profits are not eligible.

The Ohio Center for the Book will submit our state’s ONE nominee for consideration to the Library of Congress by December 13, 2019. The Library of Congress State Literacy Awards Program judges will be announcing the national winners in the first quarter of 2020 with prizes awarded between April and November 2020.

For additional information on the Library of Congress State Literacy Awards and last year’s winners, visit http://read.gov/literacyawards/state-awards.html.