(JKPL) — The Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library has selected two books for 2023 as being representative of the Northern Mariana Island’s local literary heritage. The titles chosen are:
• Children/Youth Title: “Bweletáál Wischiirá, eew kkol – Refaluwasch The Stick Dance, A Carolinian Tradition” by Jude Litulumar, illustrated by Sinahi Nation, edited by the Chamorro and Carolinian Language Policy Commission and the Carolinian Affair’s Office, and published by the Lady Diann Torres Foundation through the Young Author’s Program
• Adult Title: “Saipan: A Brief History” by Don Farrell, edited by Scott Russell and published by Micronesian Productions
During the 2023 National Book Festival, on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 at the Washington Convention Center, representatives from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Marianas staffed tables to promote their book selections and other literary works reflective of their unique locations. The area at the convention center where the 53 tables were assembled is called the Roadmap to Reading. This activity has been a part of the festival since 2002.
The Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is one of 56 affiliates of the Library of Congress.
Grateful
Local author Jude Litulumar shared: “I am grateful for the Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library to have considered my book as this year’s Official Children’s/ Youth Book selection! It was definitely shocking to see something I’ve made in my youth still hold relevancy now. I believe that representation matters, and I am glad to be a part of that for our islands.”
Author Don Farrell expressed this sentiment:
“We are thankful to the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library for the honor of being named this year’s Library of Congress Center for the Book Affiliate in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Center for the Book Adult Selection, because it fulfills the goal we set for this publication.
“I say ‘we,’ because our goal could not have been achieved without the support of so many people, in particular my wife Carmen Muna Dela Cruz Farrell and our son Richard, as well as our editor for this publication, CNMI historian Scott Russell.
“As Micronesian Productions, we had published the original version of Saipan, a Brief History and Tour guide in 1994 with the layout and design by Michael Cody and edited by Phyllis Koontz. We then published History of the Mariana Islands to Partition in 2011, followed by Modern History of the Northern Mariana Islands in 2017. Now, we wanted something that was short, easy to read, and could reach a much wider audience. That became Saipan, a Brief History, published in English, Korean, and Chinese in 2019.
“At 112 pages, the new version was strictly history, was small enough to be affordable to the average Saipan resident, and would easily slip into a standard USPS first class mailer for friends and loved ones in America or elsewhere. By having it translated into Chinese and Korean (at that time the number one and two tourist groups visiting Saipan) we could help the visitor have a more memorable experience while on Saipan, and pass it one when they returned home. With Saipan, A Brief History now listed as an ‘easy reader’ for English reading audiences all across America and will be featured at the 2023 National Book Festival of the Library of Congress, it will reach an even larger audience. Thank you for that help.”
Beautiful titles
Said NMI Center For the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Director Erlinda C. Naputi:
“We are humbled and incredibly honored for the opportunity to showcase these beautiful titles from our Northern Mariana Islands’ authors and publishers. Aside from the many compliments we received for our beautiful booth display, we are very honored to represent the Northern Marianas and promote the beauty and history of the Northern Mariana Islands. More than 150,000 people visited the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival last year, and this year’s attendance was equally as phenomenal! For most people, this is the first time they have ever heard or seen anyone from the Northern Mariana Islands. For a very few who knew of the Northern Mariana Islands, their recollection was of their grandparents being a member of the armed forces and taking part in the Battle for Saipan. Children loved learning about the Northern Mariana Islands and the Marianas Trench from their studies and receiving stickers, about preserving our CNMI Oceans, which we received from the Coral Reef Initiative. We designed banners, bookmarks featuring with flag, map of our islands, books, and authors, which proved very valuable in promoting our islands. We distributed our local books The Stick Dance, Saipan: A Brief History, bookmarks, (our state flower) plumerias, stickers, and so much more! Many times, once participants learned about the Northern Marianas, they told us they would visit, and thanked us for sharing something they did not know before. We even taught many a few Chamorro words. We invited everyone during the National Book Festival to experience the beauty, the wealth of our culture and history of our people and our islands.”
Naputi added, “Thank you to our local authors Don Farrell and Jude Litulumar for your contribution to the CNMI, and for allowing us to showcase your work. 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 Visitor’s Authority for sponsoring some of our 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 Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Honorable Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Chief of Staff Robert Schwalbach and his wife Jude, John Del Rosario for your support and assistance during the National Book Festival, and the Lady Diann Torres Foundation for your continued support and advocacy for literacy. Thank you to the Division of Coastal Resources Management-Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality-Coral Reef Initiative for providing giveaways. Thank you to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, the Library of Congress Center for the Book, and our great team at the Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library for holding down the fort. Last year, we showcased 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 to over 150,000 participants attending the 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.”
Valuable
The director of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress Guy Lamolinara shared, “Without fail, you demonstrated how valuable the Affiliate Centers for the Book are to the Library of Congress and its goal of touching all Americans. At the Roadmap to Reading, I observed how all of you warmly greeted attendees, patiently answered questions and conveyed the importance of local authors to America’s diverse literary landscape. Right up to the end of a very long and tiresome day, you kept the activity as fresh as it was in the morning. This is why the Roadmap to Reading is the most popular activity at National Book Festival. The presence of [Librarian of Congress] Dr. Hayden at our reception attests to the fact that the Library of Congress places great value on this dynamic network of professionals dedicated to promoting books, reading, libraries and literacy as well as your local literary heritage. I never cease to be amazed by all you do year round in spite of limited resources. And I never forget how fortunate I am to know you both personally and professionally.”
On Aug. 11, 2023, Team NMI Center for the Book: JKPL was cordially invited to a reception in recognition of its contributions to the 2023 National Book Festival.
Special Guest Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and the Deputy Director from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Cyndee Landrum, National Endowment for the Humanities Chair Shelly Lowe, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies Executive Director Jeremy Johannesen, and the Junior League of Washington.
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 was held in-person in Washington, D.C., and included many livestreamed and recorded virtual programs celebrating books and authors.
To learn more about the National Book Festival, visit https://www.loc.gov/events/2023-national-book-festival/schedule/watch-the-festival/
To purchase a copy of this Great Read Bweletáál Wischiirá, eew kkol Refaluwasch The Stick Dance, A Carolinian Tradition by Jude Litulumar, contact the Lady Diann Torres Foundation via email ladydianntorresfoundation@gmail.com/.
To purchase a copy of Saipan: A Brief History by Don Farrell, please contact donfarrelltinian@gmail.com or the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (670) 235-7318.
All NMI Selections for the Center for the Book are available for check-out at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.
