[Saipan, MP] Tens of thousands of book lovers joined the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival in-person on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington DC. This year’s festival theme “America 250: It’s Your Story” celebrated the nation’s semiquincentennial anniversary with expanded programming highlighting American history, ideas, and literary heritage. This year, 80,000 people registered to participate in the National Book Festival, which brought together best-selling authors, poets and illustrators with thousands of readers for book talks, panel discussions, book signings and other engaging activities from across the country and beyond to celebrate reading, literacy, authors, and community.
The Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book (NMICB), a state affiliate of the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book administered by the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library–NMI State Library, shined at the Roadmap to Reading floor by proudly displaying the official book selections for 2026, recognizing two works that preserve, celebrate, and share the stories, history, and cultural heritage of the Northern Mariana Islands with readers of all ages. The 2026 official selections were as follows:
- Guinaiyan Nåna: Mother’s Love written by Carmen S. Taimañao. Illustrated by Rodante Guarda. Written in Chamorro with English translation, published by the Children of Our Homeland A.N.A. Project, the Library Friends c/o Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (2026 Young Reader’s Official Selection)
- Without a Penny in My Pocket: My Bittersweet Memories Before and After World War II written by Marie S. C. Castro, published by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council. (2026 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
Together, these books represent the power of literature to connect generations and preserve the voices and experiences that form the cultural identity of the Northern Mariana Islands. From a story rooted in the enduring love of a mother to personal memories shaped by the profound experiences surrounding World War II, the 2026selections invite readers to understand, remember, and celebrate the people and traditions of the Northern Mariana Islands.
For the Northern Mariana Islands, participation in this national event represented a meaningful opportunity to bring the stories of the Commonwealth to a broader audience while building connections with libraries, educators, cultural institutions, and literary organizations from throughout the United States.
Dressed in Chamorro floral print with a spectacular Northern Mariana Islands backdrop featuring the Marianas Trench, Managaha Island, a pictorial view of Lau Lau Bay, and the House of Taga, Team JKPL proudly shared the warmth, culture, language, books, and hospitality of the Northern Mariana Islands with tens of thousands of festival attendees. The booth display showcased 3D cutouts of life-sized latte stones, sinahi, mwar mwar, banners displaying the books of the year, and CNMI flags adorned the prominent booth display.
The team included NMI Center for the Book Program Manager/Technical Services Librarian/2025-2026 PSRW-JKPL Leadership Award Beth Demapan, NMI Center for the Book Administrative Manager/Administrative Officer III Vincent P. Sablan, 2026 Employee of the Year Children’s Librarian Celina C. Foreman, 2025 Employee of the Year Bookmobile Supervisor Leora Lynn S. Terlaje, and Commonwealth Library Council Secretary Patrick Sablan. Visitors were captivated not only by the books but also by the stories, language, and rich cultural heritage of the Northern Marianas, with many expressing interest in visiting the islands.
“We are ecstatic to participate in the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival’s Roadmap to Reading, especially as we celebrate America 250,” said Library Director Erlinda C. Naputi. “We are very humbled and honored to represent the Northern Mariana Islands in our nation’s capital. As the nation’s premier book festival, the National Book Festival provides our islands with the unique opportunity to celebrate literacy, connect with book lovers from across the country, and showcase the unique culture, language, and stories of our islands. Coming from such a remote Pacific community, we are humbled to leave a lasting impression and inspire others to learn about and visit the Northern Mariana Islands.
“Congratulations to our 2026 Book of the Year authors, Carmen S. Taimanao and Marie S.C Castro. I am also deeply grateful to my hardworking team for their dedication and commitment to promoting literacy and cultural heritage! Thank you to our amazing team for their hard work, and to all the thousands of visitors who praised, loved, and continued to support our library outreach at the National Book Festival. Despite how far we traveled, we were able to display the BEST booth amongst the 56 booths in the Roadmap to Reading. We appreciate all the support we received from the mainland community, and we are always proud to promote our island beauty, culture, heritage, language, and history at the National Book Festival.”
Here are just a few comments of what people said about the 2026 NMI Center for the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library:
- “Thank you for traveling all the way out here!”
- “You have the best booth hands down!”
- “Thank you for sharing indigenous books!”
- “You have the best decorated booth here! Your bookmarks and banners are beautiful!”
- “I love your attire! You are all color coordinated!”
- “You are all well-organized!”
- “I learned Chamorro here today! Thank you for sharing your beautiful language!”
- “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you all!”
- “I love your stickers!”“You are all very beautiful! Thank you for standing out and sharing space with us!”
- “Welcome to Washington, DC!”
- “You are the most organized group here! You have the most beautiful booth and setup here!”
- “I want to visit the Northern Mariana Islands!”
- “Thank you for sharing these amazing books and authors!”
The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library would like to thank the following community partners, sponsors, and donors contributing to the success of this project: Thank you to Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) for administering this grant opportunity; Thank you to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular, International, and Ocean Affairs Angel DLG. Demapan for meeting with our team prior to the event and for visiting our booth at the National Book Festival with your beautiful family. A super special thank you to our junior library volunteer Isa Kabua Demapan for assisting Team JKPL in welcoming festival visitors and stamping Roadmap to Reading maps. Thank you to NMI Delegate U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds and your phenomenal DC Staff for graciously welcoming us to your DC Office, Chief of Staff Herb Yamada and Office Manager Kirk Stone for arranging a Capitol Hill tour. Thank you also to the Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Newlen, IMLS Associate Deputy Director Teresa Devoe, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies Executive Director Jeremy Johannessen, and Library of Congress Center for the Book Program Manager Suzanne Walker. Thank you to the Joeten family and the Kiyu family. Thank you to the Office of the Governor, Governor David M. Apatang, Office of the Lt. Governor, Lt. Governor Dennis Mendiola, Commonwealth Library Council, Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Marianas Visitors Authority, Saipan Advertising, Northern Marianas Library Association, Lady Diann Torres Foundation, LOC-NLS Madison Bolls, Bob and Jude Schwalbach & family, Friends of the Mariana Trench, and so much more!
During the 2026 National Book Festival at the Washington Convention Center, representatives from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands staffed tables to promote their book selections and other literary works reflective of their unique locations. The area at the convention center where the 56 tables were assembled is called the Roadmap to Reading. This activity has been a part of the festival since 2002.
VISIT US@ the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library
The booth display featuring the Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book is currently on display from Saturday, August 29, 2026 to Saturday, September 5, 2026 in the Children of Our Homeland a.k.a. Children’s Library, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library. As part of the display, an official card catalog kiosk from the Library of Congress in Washington, DC will be prominently displayed as well to help visitors learn about how it bridges tangible library history with modern digital research tools while reminding the public that the national library serves everyone
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world – both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
About Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library
Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book (NMICB) is a state affiliate of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress. NMICB promotes literacy and a love of books, reading, and libraries throughout the state, celebrating the Northern Marianas’ robust literary heritage. The NMI Center for the Book is under the direction of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library-NMI State Library, which seeks to preserve the CNMI’s cultural heritage by connecting people, libraries, and government to the resources and tools they need to succeed and to build a strong community. The NMI Center for the Book encourages, develops, and promotes an appreciation for books and the bridges they create across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands- Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The NMI Center for the Book builds partnerships with library professionals, educators, authors, publishers, and booksellers who provide support to our shared mission of promoting a love of literature and lifelong learning throughout the CNMI. NMICB is administered by the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library-NMI State Library, an independent program under the Office of the Governor.
The Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library continues to promote literacy, a love of reading, and appreciation for books and libraries throughout the Commonwealth. As a state affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book, NMICB celebrates the Northern Marianas’ robust literary heritage and works to create bridges among readers, authors, educators, librarians, publishers, cultural organizations, and communities throughout Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
The 2026 selections also continue a growing tradition of recognizing Northern Mariana Islands authors and works that document the Commonwealth’s history, languages, traditions, and lived experiences. The official Books of the Year are available for checkout through the Pacific Collection at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, providing community members with an opportunity to discover and engage with these important works.
- Guinaiyan Nåna: Mother’s Love written by Carmen S. Taimañao. Illustrated by Rodante Guarda. Written in Chamorro with English translation, published by the Children of Our Homeland A.N.A. Project, the Library Friends c/o Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (2026 Young Reader’s Official Selection)
- Without a Penny in My Pocket: My Bittersweet Memories Before and After World War II written by Marie S. C. Castro, published by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council. (2026 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
- Håfa Un A’atan? by Dolores Ichihara Marciano. Illustrated by Rodante Guarda. Written in Chamorro with English translation, published by the Children of Our Homeland A.N.A. Project, the Library Friends c/o Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (2025 Young Reader’s Official Selection)
- In Retrospect written and published by Juan Nekai Babauta (2025 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
- Hafa Sinentete-mu? by Adora Jay San Nicolas åfa Un A’atan? by Dolores Ichihara Marciano. Illustrated by Rodante Guarda. Written in Chamorro with English translation, published by the Children of Our Homeland A.N.A. Project, the Library Friends c/o Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (2024 Young Reader’s Official Selection)
- The Rope of Tradition: Reflections of a Saipan Carolinian by Lino Olopai with Dr. Juliana Flinn, published by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council in collaboration with the Children of Our Homeland Project/Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (2024 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
- Bweletáál Wischiirá, eew kkol Refaluwasch. The Stick Dance, A Carolinian Tradition by Jude Litulumar, illustrated by Sinahi Nation, written in Carolinian with English translation, edited by the Chamorro and Carolinian Language Policy Commission and the Carolinian Affair’s Office, and published by the Lady Diann Torres Foundation through the Young Author’s Program. (2023 Young Reader’s Official Selection)
- Saipan: A Brief History by Don Farrell edited by Scott Russell and published by Micronesian Productions (2023 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
- Duendis: The Duendis by Cielo Citlalli Gutierrez Long. Written in Chamorro with English translation, edited by the Indigenous Affairs Office and the Chamorro and Carolinian Language Commission, and published by the Lady Diann Torres Foundation’s Language and Literacy Young Author’s Program. (2022 Official Children’s Selection)
- Marmalade’s Exciting Tail (Book One of The Marmalade Series) by Katrina Manning, published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. (2022 Official Teen Selection)
- The Fundamental Issues Affecting the Northern Mariana Islands by Jose S. Dela Cruz and published by Mutual Publishing LLC, 2021. (2022 Adult Reader’s Official Selection)
Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s Great Reads Reading Challenge
The community is also invited to take part in the Great Reads digital Reading Challenge. Read all 11 NMI Books of the Year and complete your digital reading log through READsquared by visiting the library’s website at www.cnmilib.org and selecting the ONLINE RESOURCES tab. From there, register and login to participate in the Great Read Reading Challenge for free. https://cnmilib.readsquared.com/?utm_source=readsquared&utm_medium=readsquared&utm_campaign=readsquared_CNMI
2026 Summer Reading Challenge Spearheaded by Second Lady Usha Vance
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, spearheaded by Second Lady Usha Vance, is a nationwide literacy initiative designed to foster a love for reading and combat summer learning loss among elementary and middle school students. Running from June 1 through September 4, 2026, the program invites children in grades K–8 to read 12 books of their choosing—ranging from fiction to history—and log their progress online. To celebrate the program’s expansion and coincide with the nation’s America 250 anniversary, participants who submit their reading logs receive a personalized certificate, a themed bookmark, and access to a curated online store to choose prizes. See link for more details: https://www.whitehouse.gov/read/
The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library continues to develop innovative and enriching programs for the community. Explore our free resources and upcoming events on our website at www.cnmilib.org and social media platforms: like/follow JKPL’s Facebook page @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, Instagram @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, X @jkpl670, Twitter @JoetenKiyu, and Youtube: joeten kiyu public library. For more information regarding any of our activities, please contact JKPL at (670) 235-7322/23 (READ).
HOW CAN YOU HELP ASSIST WITH OUR PROGRAMS?
We welcome and encourage businesses to please consider donating Educational Tax Credit. Pursuant to NMI Public Law 15-120, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is able to receive cash contributions under Educational Tax Credit (ETC). Please make checks payable to: CNMI Treasury. For MUNIS payments, to the Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library MUNIS Vendor ID#100404.
This program is supported in part by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services LS-260857-OLS-26 and RE-259015-OLS-25.
This project was made possible in part by the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant.
The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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