Contact:      Beth Crist, New Mexico State Library
                  505-476-9753  beth.crist@state.nm.us
 
Nominations Sought for New Mexico’s Centennial Poet, Storyteller and Authors
 
22 April 2010, Santa Fe – The New Mexico State Library and Centennial planners are accepting nominations for four honorary positions associated with the commemoration of New Mexico’s hundred years of statehood – Poet, Storyteller, Author and Children’s Author.

"The individuals chosen for these honorary positions will highlight the importance of poetry, storytelling and literature to preserving and disseminating the state’s heritage and reading for pleasure," said Cultural Affairs Secretary Stuart Ashman. "It is an important and appropriate moment to honor New Mexico writers as we pay tribute to the state’s past, celebrate the present and envision the future."

New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912.  The Centennial commemoration will include the full school year of 2011-2012, when libraries statewide will engage children and adults alike in learning about New Mexico’s diverse history.  Said State Librarian Susan Oberlander, "We’re delighted to take advantage of this opportunity to recognize some of our finest home-based writers, and share their work with residents and visitors alike in 2011 and 2012."

Nominations may be submitted by individual New Mexico residents or representatives of organizations in New Mexico and may include self-nominations. The deadline for submissions has been extended to July 2, 2010. The individuals selected will be announced at a ceremony in the fall of 2010.  Those interested in nominating can visit www.nmstatelibrary.org and click on Centennial Nominations (in the left-side menu) for complete guidelines. Applications may be submitted via postal mail or online.

The New Mexico State Library, established in 1929, is committed to providing leadership that promotes effective library services and access to information to all citizens of New Mexico.  The State Library provides services that support public libraries as well as delivers direct library services to rural populations, state agencies, the visually impaired and physically disabled, and students and citizens conducting research.  The New Mexico State Library, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, is located at 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM.