The LOC.GOV Wise Guide : Books Are Us

Through its national center in the Library and its centers in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the Center for the Book uses the resources of the Library of Congress to stimulate public interest in books and reading. You can discover what your state is doing to promote the love of reading by going to the "State Center Affiliates" page. A brief history of the center's reading promotion campaigns is at http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9803/readers.html.

Leo and Diane Dillon, 'The Reading Butterfly,' from a poster for the Center for the Book's 1993-94 'Books Change Lives' campaign

For the past three years the Library has sponsored the National Book Festival on the Mall in Washington, D.C. This year the festival will be held Oct. 4. You can see what occurred at previous festivals at the National Book Festival site. If you want to attend this year's festival, plan on being on the National Mall on Oct. 9, where you'll have the chance to meet some of your favorite authors and listen to them talk about their books. Last year, more than 70,000 attended this celebration of the written word.

The Center for the Book sponsors a wide-ranging program of book talks at the Library of Congress. These events are free and open to the public. You can find out about these and other Library free programs, such as concerts and exhibitions, by checking the monthly Calendar of Events.

If you are unable to come to Washington, you can still enjoy many Center for the Book lectures through its CyberLC page. Robert Caro speaking on his Lyndon Johnson biography series, a discussion of "Images of African American Life," "Celtic Roots," "Bluegrass Odyssey," Harold Bloom on "How to Read and Why" -- these and many more will expand your knowledge of books and demonstrate why they are so vital. Cybercasts of many of the authors' presentations are at http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/nbfcyber_2002.html

A. Leo and Diane Dillon, "The Reading Butterfly," from a poster for the Center for the Book's 1993-94 "Books Change Lives" campaign. Reproduction information: Contact Center for the Book at pwhi@loc.gov

B. "A Book Is the Best of Friends" poster. Reproduction information: Contact Center for the Book at pwhi@loc.gov