The Minnesota Book Awards was created 25 years ago by The Friends as part of a larger "Festival of the Book." The Friends is pleased to continue the tradition of honoring the books and authors that make Minnesota a national literary powerhouse. The Book Awards program goes beyond the annual gala celebration to connect readers to Minnesota books, striving to showcase the tremendous literary talent and output of our state. Thanks to strong library and bookseller partners, and through active promotion efforts, the Awards program works to have more people of all ages read, and especially to read and support our own authors, publishers and book creators.

Outreach activities include the creation of reading guides for the award-winning books; website resources for writers and Minnesota libraries; author visits to libraries statewide; production and distribution of DVDs featuring the annual gala celebration and interviews with award winners, displays, posters and bookmarks highlighting the award-winning books; the Minnesota Writers Hall of Fame; and a new TPT series, "Prized Writers," featuring Minnesota Book Award-winning authors in conversation. Support Minnesota Writers: Read local!

Your tax-deductible gift supports the annual programs of the Minnesota Book Awards, under the auspices of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library.