The Task Force itself was chaired by John Y. Cole. The Creation of a National Network Since 1984, the Center for the Book has invited individual states to establish affiliated centers that would bring its reading promotion themes and projects to the state and local level. State centers develop activities such as book fairs and book award programs that promote their state's book culture and literary heritage. They also sponsor projects and host events that call attention to the importance in their state of books, reading, literacy and libraries. When its application is approved, a state center is granted affiliate status with the LC Center for the Book for three years.
Renewals are for three-year periods.
Most of the state centers are located in state libraries or in large public library systems. The first two state centers, Florida and Illinois, are still active. Encouraging the study of the historical role of books, reading and libraries has been part of the Center for the Book's program since its creation. In recent years the center has supported the creation of centers for the study of the history of books and print culture at several academic institutions, such as the Center for the Study of Print Culture in Modern America at the University of Wisconsin and the Penn State Center for the History of the Book. The Library of Congress 101 Independence Ave.