In her role as First Lady, Mrs. Bush is continuing her lifelong commitment to stimulating public interest in books and reading and her recognition of the critical role libraries play in advancing this goal. The Library of Congress, as the nation's library, has played a similar institutional role, championing books, reading, and the importance of libraries to advance learning by providing free access to digital resources that will help stimulate the curiosity that motivates people to read.

American Folklife Center

Created in 1976 at the Library of Congress "to preserve and present American Folklife," the center and its collections encompass all aspects of folklore and folklife from this country and around the world. Its Web site includes information about the Archive of Folk Culture Collections and the Veterans History Project.
 Visit the American Folklife Center Web site.

America's Library

This interactive Library of Congress Web site for children and families draws on the Library's vast online resources to present American history in a lively and entertaining manner.
 Visit the America's Library Web site.

Center for the Book

Established in 1977 to use the Library of Congress's resources and prestige to stimulate public interest in books, reading, literacy, and libraries, the center hosts a comprehensive Web site devoted to reading and literacy promotion. It describes projects and events throughout the U.S. and provides links to more than 300 organizations, including affiliated state centers and national reading promotion partners. Of special interest are links to more than 250 book fairs and storytelling festivals throughout the world.
 Visit the Center for the Book Web site.

Institute of Museum and Library Services

An independent federal agency that fosters leadership, innovation, and lifetime learning, IMLS supports all types of museums, from art and history to zoos, and all types of libraries and archives, from public and academic to research and school. IMLS is the major financial supporter of the Pavilion of the States at the 2003 National Book Festival.
 Visit the Institute of Museum and Library Services Web site.

Library of Congress

The home page of the world's largest library provides online access to more than eight million historical items in "American Memory," information on copyright and current legislation, extensive online exhibitions, webcasts of Library of Congress events, including the National Book Festival; and an online catalog of millions of items in the Library's collections.
 Visit the Library of Congress Web site.

National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts provides national recognition and support to significant project of artistic excellence, thus preserving our nation's diverse cultural heritage. NEA was created by Congress and established in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. A 2003 National Book Festival Patron, NEA and the Kinder Foundation are sponsoring the Poetry Pavilion.
 Visit the National Endowment for the Arts Web site.

National Endowment for the Humanities

Because democracy demands wisdom the National Endowment for the Humanities serves and strengthens the United States by promoting excellence in the humanities and conveying the lessons of history to all Americans. NEH accomplishes this mission by providing grants for humanities programming in funding areas: preserving and providing access to cultural resources, education, research, and public programs. NEH is providing support for the Pavilion of the States at the 2003 National Book Festival.
 Visit the National Endowment for the Humanities Web site.

Texas Book Festival

Founded by Laura Bush when she was First Lady of Texas, the Texas Book Festival benefits the public libraries of the state. The Texas Book Festival, through Mrs. Bush, inspired the development of the National Book Festival.
 Visit the Texas Book Festival Web site.

The White House

This is the home page for the office of the President of the United States and First Lady Laura Bush, the host of the National Book Festival and Honorary Chair of "Telling America's Stories," the Library of Congress's current national reading promotion campaign.
 Visit the White House Web site.