Mission Statement

The Empire State Center for the Book is committed to the book in all formats. Interests of the Center include the promotion of the culture of reading, literature, literacy, book arts and book history throughout New York state. The Center will work with publishers, libraries, museums, educational institutions, scholars, authors, illustrators and other interested parties to enrich book culture for the people of New York. The Center for the Book relies on grants, sponsorships and the contributions of individuals who share the ideals and support the mission of the Center to promote literature, literacy and libraries.

Director

Rocco Staino
[email protected]

Center for the Book Advisory Board

  • Rocco Staino, Director
  • Brian Kenney, Director, White Plains Public Library
  • Sara Kelly John, Past President, New york Library Association
  • Kevin Fitzpatrick, President, Dorothy Parker Society
  • Robert L. Forbes, author, poet 

Partners

Programs

Videos

Great Reads from Great Places

Photo Gallery

E.L Doctorow congratulates Toni Morrison in 2012 as Pete Hamill looks on. All three were inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame.
Photo Credit - Ryan Brenizer

 Stephen Sondheim being presented with his NYS State Writers Hall of Fame honor (2016) by Rocco Staino, director of the Empire State Center for the Book.
Photo Credit - Ryan Brenizer		 Author Min Jin Lee, 20022 inductee into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame
Photo Credit: Ryan Brenizer		 Empire State Center for the Book | book | Rocco Staino is the Director of Empire State Center for the Book. | By PiZetta Media: Content with a Cause | Facebook External