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Welcome to the Website of the Illinois Center for the Book, an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, sponsored by the Illinois State Library, Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian. The mission of the Illinois Center for the Book is to nurture and connect readers and writers, and honor our rich literary heritage.

This website will provide information about the array of projects and services of the Illinois Center for the Book - some of which are continuous and others which bring limited offerings to highlight special partnerships or occasions.
 

2011 Illinois Emerging Writers Competition Winners


From left to right: James Jones Short Story Award 1st Place, Paul Heinz of Elmhurst; Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award 2nd Place, Jonathan R. Veach of Carbondale; Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award 1st Place, Christine Pacyk of Arlington Heights; James Jones Short Story Award 2nd Place, Irene Sedeora of Morton; Secretary of State and State Librarian, Jesse White; Ray Elliott, James Jones Literary Society; Kevin Stein, Illinois Poet Laureate and James Jones Short Story Award 2nd Place, George Tanner of Yates City.

2011 Letters About Literature Winners


From left to right: Level II Winner, Naasir Haleem of Naperville; Level III Winner, Stacie Cler of Bloomington; Secretary of State and State Librarian, Jesse White and Level I Winner and National Honor Winner, Conrad Oberhaus of Lincolnshire.