Programs

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The North Carolina Center for the Book is a collection of North Carolina Humanities’ literature and reading programs. Using a variety of formats and initiatives, North Carolina Center for the Book literary programs celebrate and promote the vital importance of books, reading, libraries, and North Carolina’s literary heritage. The North Carolina Center for the Book is the state affiliate of the National Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and is supported in part by the State Library of North Carolina. Learn more by visiting the Library of Congress.

North Carolina Center for the Book programs are designed to engage North Carolinians in literature, reading, and discussion:

• North Carolina Reads – Our statewide book club for 2023.
• Great Reads from Great Places – A reading list for young readers and adults curated by all state-affiliated Centers for the Book and promoted during the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival.
• Veterans Reading Groups – A discussion program that provides a safe space for our nation’s veterans to connect over a shared book and explore issues related to their military service and everyday life.

North Carolina Center for the Book History

The National Center for the Book was established in 1977 and today incorporates partnerships in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands to implement programs that nurture and expand a culture of literacy and reading. 

The North Carolina Center for the Book was established in 1992 with programs overseen by the State Library of North Carolina. North Carolina Humanities has supported the North Carolina Center for the Book program Let’s Talk About It since 2000. In 2018, the North Carolina Center for the Book designation was moved to North Carolina Humanities, and new programs were added. The State Library of North Carolina remains a lead sponsor of the North Carolina Center for the Book’s activities.

North Carolina Reads is North Carolina Humanities’ statewide book club. Annually, North Carolina Humanities hosts a series of five, virtual, monthly book club events where participants hear from guest speakers, including book authors and topic experts. Libraries, community groups, and individuals across North Carolina are encouraged to read along and host community programs of their own to accompany North Carolina Humanities’ virtual book club events. North Carolina Reads connects communities through shared reading experiences and dialogue.

North Carolina Reads FAQs                                      

• How can I participate in North Carolina Reads?
  • Visit the How to Participate in North Carolina Reads section on our website to learn how you can take part, either as an individual or group. North Carolina Humanities offers free support materials, including Reading Guides and Program Guides, that are available to download from our website.

• Are North Carolina Reads book discussion events free to attend?
  • Yes! Join thousands of other North Carolinians at one of the five virtual book club events hosted by North Carolina Humanities. Events are free with registration and will be recorded and available to re-watch on NC Humanities’ YouTube channel.

• What are the themes and topics for North Carolina Reads?
  • North Carolina Reads features five books that explore issues of racial, social, and gender equity and the history and culture of North Carolina. All five books pose critical questions about how North Carolinians view their role in helping to form a more just and inclusive society.

• Does NC Humanities provide free North Carolina Reads books?
  • To make participation in North Carolina Reads possible and ensure equitable access to materials, North Carolina Humanities provides free book resources to groups and individuals in communities where participation would otherwise be limited. Due to the statewide nature of North Carolina Reads, North Carolina Humanities gives priority consideration for free books to groups and individuals in underserved and/or under resourced communities*. 
  • North Carolina Humanities takes requests from groups and individuals for a limited supply of free books (dates announced in fall/winter). Books are sent in “book boxes” which include a reading schedule and discussion guide, bookmarks, and unique “swag.”
  • North Carolina Humanities encourages people to check with their local library or local bookstore for assistance to find book copies. Please note: you do not need to receive books from North Carolina Humanities to participate in North Carolina Reads.

• What are the selection criteria for North Carolina Reads’ featured books?
  • A North Carolina Reads book may be fiction or non-fiction, and should meet the following criteria:
    • Prominently features a story, event, and/or characters and individuals from North Carolina history and culture.
    • Addresses one or more of the themes of racial, social, and/or gender equity and promotes community discussion on these themes.
    • Appeals to a wide range of adult (18+) readers of different backgrounds in the state of North Carolina.
    • Is of manageable length to read in one month (up to 400 pages).
    • Is contemporary and published in 2015 or later (Within 10 years of the current North Carolina Reads program).
    • Is in print and readily available from the publisher. If possible, the book is available in audio, electronic and/or other accessible formats. (Please note self-published books are ineligible for consideration).
    • Written by an author residing in or from North Carolina is a consideration for selection, but not a requirement.
    • Written by a living author is a consideration for selection, but not a requirement.
    • Written by an author not previously featured in a North Carolina Center for the Book program is a consideration for selection, but not a requirement.

• Who selects the North Carolina Reads featured books?
  • Using its expertise and resources as the North Carolina Center for the Book, North Carolina Humanities selects the books with input and feedback from our book selection group and the public. Annually, North Carolina Humanities convenes a group of rotating members to help provide feedback that will be used to select that year’s five featured books. Members may include past participating North Carolina Reads group coordinators, authors, content experts, moderators, and the State Library of North Carolina to inform selection. North Carolina Humanities makes a public survey available to see what books most interest you!

• Can I suggest a book title?
  • If you have a book title that you would like to share with us that meets the listed criteria, please complete this short form. We are currently accepting requests for potential North Carolina Reads 2025 titles now through May 1, 2024. Please note submission of a title does not guarantee selection by North Carolina Humanities for its North Carolina Center for the Book programs.
  • North Carolina Humanities Book Suggestion Form

*Rural communities; low-income communities (including those located in Tier 1 Counties); African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian American, Arab American, Native and Indigenous populations; older adult populations; persons with disabilities; first-time program participants.

North Carolina Humanities annually selects one book for youth and one book for adults that are written by a North Carolina author and/or prominently portray stories of the state to be featured at the Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington D.C. The books and authors are featured on the national Great Reads from Great Places reading list that is distributed by the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book leading up to the National Book Festival. The list is composed of books and authors from each state and territory affiliate Center for the Book to showcase the rich culture and heritage of our country.

Great Reads from Great Places FAQs

• How can I participate in Great Reads?
  • Visit the Great Reads from Great Places program page to see how North Carolina Humanities is using this year’s selected titles in programming and resources.
    • Adult Selection Programming: North Carolina Humanities hosts one virtual discussion book event where topic experts, and when possible, the book’s author, talk about the book and themes from it. The discussion is designed to help audiences engage with and think about the book in new and exciting ways. Events are free with registration and will be recorded and available to re-watch on NC Humanities’ YouTube channel.
    • Youth Selection Resources: North Carolina Humanities takes requests from teachers and organizations serving youth for a limited supply of free books (dates announced in spring/summer). Educators, youth librarians, and groups serving youth may request a book box with 20 book copies for use in classrooms and for public programming. Books are sent in “book boxes” which include humanities thinking questions, bookmarks, and unique “swag.”

• What are the themes and topics for Great Reads from Great Places?
  • Great Reads from Great Places features one youth and one adult book that prominently portray stories of the state and are written by an author residing in or from North Carolina.

• What are the selection criteria for Great Reads from Great Places featured books?
  • • Great Reads from Great Places books may be fiction or non-fiction, and should meet the following criteria:
      • Prominently portrays a story of the state, takes place in the state, and/or celebrates the state’s culture and heritage.
      • Written by an author residing in or from North Carolina. 
      • In print, and if possible, audio, electronic and/or other accessible formats.
      • Written by a living author is a consideration for selection, but not a requirement.

• Who selects the Great Reads from Great Places featured books?
  • Using its expertise and resources as the North Carolina Center for the Book, North Carolina Humanities selects the books with input and feedback from our book selection group and the public. Annually, North Carolina Humanities convenes a group of rotating members to help provide feedback that will be used to select that year’s featured adult and youth books. Members may include past participating Great Reads from Great Places group coordinators, authors, content experts, moderators, and the State Library of North Carolina to inform selection. North Carolina Humanities makes a public survey available to see what books most interest you!

• Can I suggest a book title?
  • If you have a book title that you would like to share with us that meets the listed criteria, please complete this short form.  We are currently accepting requests for potential Great Reads from Great Places 2024 titles now through March 1, 2024.  Please note: submission of a title does not guarantee selection by North Carolina Humanities for its North Carolina Center for the Book programs.
  • North Carolina Humanities Book Suggestion Form

North Carolina Humanities’ Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program is a one-of-a-kind cultural project that serves small-town museums and residents of rural America. This program is a partnership of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and state humanities councils nationwide. This program is made possible in North Carolina by NC Humanities. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress. Learn more at www.museumonmainstreet.org.