The National Book Foundation, established 1989 by National Book Awards, Inc. is an American nonprofit organization established "to raise the cultural appreciation of great writing in America." It does that partly and most visibly as administrator and sponsor of the National Book Awards, a changing set of literary awards inaugurated 1936 and continuous from 1950. It also organizes and sponsors public and educational programs. New York Times Book Notes announced the new foundation, with executive director Neil Baldwin "effective tomorrow", on July 5, 1989. To broaden its scope, the National Book Awards is establishing the National Book Foundation to administer its annual literary awards program and to develop programs to promote reading and literacy. The chairman of the National Book Awards, Al Silverman, said his group intended to take on "a more central and influential role in the literary, intellectual, and publishing life of this country." The National Book Foundation's Board of Trustees comprises representatives of American literary institutions and the book industry. For example, in 2009 the Board included the President of the New York Public Library, the Chief Merchandising Officer of Barnes & Noble, the President/Publisher of Grove/Atlantic, Inc., and others. Wikipedia [ - ]

The National Book Foundation, established 1989 by National Book Awards, Inc. is an American... [ + ]