North Dakota Opened Voting for Great Reads Program
Residents can now cast their votes for books nominated to the U.S. Library of Congress Great Reads from Great Places program.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Books
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The North Dakota State Library has officially opened public voting for books nominated to the U.S. Library of Congress Great Reads from Great Places program. Six books written by North Dakota authors have been selected for the short list.
Why it matters
The program highlights regional literature by showcasing works that represent the unique stories and cultural history of individual states. Voting allows North Dakota residents to influence which local titles receive national recognition.
A total of 6 North Dakota books are on the short list for this national program, with 3 of those entries being children's books. Public participation is currently active through the North Dakota State Library website.
The players
North Dakota State Library
This state agency serves as the primary institution managing library services and promoting literary programs for residents of North Dakota.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the official research library of the U.S. Congress and the de facto national library of the United States.
The details
The adult nominees featured include 'Little Sister, a Family Memoir' by Gayle Larson Schuck, 'Brothers No More, a Vietnam Odyssey' by Lee Rebsom, and 'Tough but Fair' by Winston Satran. Additionally, the children's book 'Oliver the Owl: The Culinary Pro' is among the three selected titles available for support.
Timeline
Voting for the book nominees opened on October 13, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The Great Reads from Great Places program functions as a national platform to bridge regional authors with broader U.S. audiences. This initiative reflects a broader trend of leveraging local library networks to curate diverse literary content for a national stage.
Readers in North Dakota can participate in the selection process by casting their votes directly through the North Dakota State Library website. This gives residents a direct say in which local authors receive national exposure through the program.
The takeaway
The program encourages residents to engage with regional literature by supporting authors who reflect the state's culture. Interested readers should check the state library portal to review the full list of adult and children's titles before casting their ballots.
Further reading
Learn more about local literary initiatives by visiting our Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KX NEWS.
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