In addition to being the world's largest collection of jazz-related materials, the Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS) can add yet another distinction to its name. The New Jersey Center for the Book (NJCB) has designated IJS a New Jersey literary landmark. The NJCB is the state chapter of the national Center for the Book, which is headquartered at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

The designation seeks to honor New Jersey's rich literary history by focusing on special locations or institutions. Past designees have included the Walt Whitman House in Camden and the Newark Public Library, among others. Dana Library and IJS will celebrate with an event on on a date to be determined, in the spring 2013 semester.

The celebration will include an official ceremony to mark the designation with Renee Schwartz, chair and coordinator of NJCB. A concert with a jazz ensemble will follow, featuring distinguished jazz performer Daryl Sherman.

On its website, the NJCB's describes its mission, which is to "celebrate books, libraries and the diverse literary heritage of New Jersey." The broad collections at IJS pay tribute to national and local jazz musicians and offer a rich history of jazz that has produced much scholarship.

The NJCB is housed at the School of Communication and Information at Rutgers New Brunswick. The national Center for the Book program began in 1977 and now has 44 state chapters. Those interested in learning more about the New Jersey Center for the Book can visit: http://www.njcenterforthebook.org/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/