April 16, 2007 2007 National Book Festival To Be Held Sept. 29

Press Contact: Audrey Fischer (202) 707-0022
Public Contact: Roberta Stevens (202) 707-1550

The 2007 National Book Festival, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by first lady Laura Bush, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between 7th and 14th streets from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain or shine). The festival is free and open to the public. “Now in its seventh year, the Library’s book festival is a widely anticipated national event that draws more than 100,000 book lovers to the nation’s capital to celebrate the joy and importance of reading,” said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington. “This year’s festival promises something for everyone – from toddlers to lifelong learners.” The 2007 National Book Festival will feature more than 70 award-winning authors, poets and illustrators in the following pavilions: History & Biography, Children, Teens & Children, Fiction & Fantasy, Mysteries & Thrillers, Poetry and Home & Family. The Pavilion of the States will represent reading and library promotion programs and literary events in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. trusts and territories. The popular Let’s Read America pavilion will offer reading activities that are fun for the whole family. The Library of Congress pavilion will showcase the cultural treasures housed in the Library’s vast online collections as well as inform the public about Library programs such as the popular Veterans History Project. Festival-goers may have books signed by their favorite authors. Children can meet some of their beloved storybook and television characters, who will be on the festival grounds throughout the day. The 2007 National Book Festival will be made possible through the generous support of the private sector, led by Distinguished Benefactor Target. For more information about the National Book Festival, call toll-free (888) 714-4696 or visit the festival’s Web site at www.loc.gov/bookfest.

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PR 07-082
2007-04-17
ISSN 0731-3527