(JKPL) — Joeten-Kiyu Public Library has selected one children’s book, one young adult book, and one adult book by NMI authors to represent the CNMI at the 2022 National Book Festival: “I Duendis: The Duendis” by Cielo Long, “Marmalade’s Exciting Tail” by Katrina Manning, and “The Fundamental Issues Affecting the Northern Mariana Islands” by Jose S. Dela Cruz.
All three titles will be part of National Center for the Book’s Great Reads from Great Places program. Great Reads from Great Places features books and authors representing the literary heritage of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands.
For over 20 years this program has included a highlighted youth title from each affiliate center. In 2022, “Great Reads from Great Places” is including titles for adults for the first time. Each book is selected by a local center for the book or state library and most are for children and young readers. Books may be written by authors from the state, take place in the state, or celebrate the state’s culture and heritage.
“We are humbled and honored for the opportunity to showcase these beautiful titles from our NMI authors. With over 150,000 participants attending this year’s National Book Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., we shared the warmth of our ‘hafa adai’ spirit by highlighting our island’s cultural heritage, history, and community for this year’s National Book Festival participants,” said Joeten-Kiyu Public Library-NMI State Library Director/State Librarian Erlinda C. Naputi.
“Thank you to the Northern Marianas Humanities Council’s Executive Director Leo Pangelinan for connecting the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library-CNMI State Library as the state affiliate center for the Book under the Library of Congress. Thank you to Marianas Visitors Authority for sponsoring brochures and giveaways for Festival attendees. Thank you to the Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library for purchasing our local author books to distribute at the National Book Festival. Thank you to the Commonwealth Library Council, the Office of the Governor, Office of U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Congressional Staffer John Del Rosario, and the Lady Diann Torres Foundation for your continued support and advocacy for literacy. The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library-CNMI State Library is the CNMI’s affiliate Center for the Book under the Library of Congress. The National Book Festival brings together best-selling authors, poets and illustrators with thousands of readers for book talks, panel discussions, book signings and other engaging activities from across the country and beyond to celebrate reading, literacy, authors, and community.”
This year’s National Book Festival on Sept. 3, 2022 was held in-person in Washington, D.C., and included many livestreamed and recorded virtual programs celebrating books and authors.
Library Director/CNMI State Librarian Erlinda C. Naputi, JKPL Technical Services Librarian Beth B. Demapan, Joeten-Kiyu Public Kiyu Library-CNMI State Library Employee of the Year Administrative Assistant Silverio Balisalisa, along with Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Acting President Martin Naputi actively exhibited the NMI Center for the Book-Joeten-Kiyu Public Library by answering questions from hundreds of thousands of attendees who wanted to learn more about the CNMI, the Center for the Book, the featured books and authors, and so much more! To learn more about the National Book Festival, visit https://www.loc.gov/events/2022-national-book-festival/
All NMI Selections for the Center for the Book are available for check-out at the Joeten- Kiyu Public Library.
For more information, go to www.cnmilib.org or call (670) 235-7323/7322 (READ).
JKPL is open Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and holidays.
Joeten-Kiyu Public Library participated in this year’s National Book Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
