Past Library of Congress National Book Festivals
Related Resources at the Library
A Welcome Message from the Librarian of Congress
Hello. I’m Jim Billington, the Librarian of Congress. On Saturday, September 29th, the Library of Congress — your library — presents the seventh annual National Book Festival, hosted by our First Lady, Laura Bush. I hope to see you at this exceptional, free event that will last all day long on the National Mall for book lovers of all ages.
Last year’s Festival attracted more than 100,000 readers from across the country. This year, we expect even more people to attend and be inspired as the National Book Festival provides a wonderful opportunity to learn, imagine and to celebrate the joy of books.
About 70 award-winning authors, poets and illustrators will be at the Festival. They will be reading from their works, answering questions and signing books. Beloved storybook characters and professional basketball players will also be in attendance to greet children as they start their journeys into lifelong readership.
At the National Book Festival, you will also have access to the many reading programs in your state and you’ll learn about the vast collections of the Library of Congress that we make freely available in reading rooms here in Washington and everywhere else online through our award-winning Web site.
So I hope to see you, your friends and family on September 29th as we celebrate our shared love of reading and creativity. Whether or not you can make the trip to Washington, D.C., explore our Festival Web site which includes author biographies, photos, interviews and author podcasts, teaching tools and activities for kids so that you too can be a part of this wonderful national experience. Thank you.