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Library of Congress's National Book
Festival Attracts More Than 120,000 Book Lovers to the
National Mall
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 More than 120,000 booklovers gathered today on
the National Mall for the eighth annual National Book Festival,
organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress and
hosted by Mrs. Laura Bush. Festival-goers were entertained by their
favorite authors, illustrators and poets as they celebrated creativity and
imagination among the favorite standing-room-only pavilions including the
Let's Read America; Pavilion of the States; Children; Teens & Children;
Fiction & Mystery; History & Biography; Home & Family; and Poetry. This
year the Library showcased its efforts to digitize rare documents and
books, including a draft Declaration of Independence with handwritten edits
by the Founding Fathers, and previewed the World Digital Library, set to
debut in April 2009.
The 2008 National Book Festival marked the last year the event was
hosted by First Lady Laura Bush. She and her daughter Jenna Bush also
presented as co-authors of the children's book "Read All About It!"
"The National Book Festival is a joyous celebration of reading and an
inspiration for new generations of creativity," said Dr. James H.
Billington, the Librarian of Congress. "We are grateful to Mrs. Bush for
making this a signature event in the nation's capital for the last eight
years. Her love of reading has inspired millions to enjoy the Library of
Congress in Washington and online and to use their own hometown libraries
everywhere."
For those who were unable to attend the festival or missed a pavilion,
the authors' presentations are being made available as webcasts on the
festival homepage (http://www.loc.gov/bookfest).
There was something for everyone at this year's festival. Highlights
include:
-- Children enjoyed photo opportunities with favorite storybook
characters such as Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Maya and
Miguel, SuperWhy, Sid the Science Kid and WordGirl.
-- Children sang along with PBS' Steve Songs, enjoyed Read Alouds with
Ms. Fizzle and Martha from "Martha Speaks," and explored Scholastic's Magic
School Bus.
-- NBA legend Bob Lanier, NBA star Chris Duhon and WNBA star Ivory
Latta read aloud and encouraged young readers as part of the Read to
Achieve Program.
-- Over 70 best-selling authors including the Library of Congress's
National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Jon Scieszka, and Salman
Rushdie, Tiki Barber, David Shannon, Dionne Warwick, Andrea Davis Pickney,
Charles S. Smith Jr., Geraldine Brooks, Peter Robinson, Warren Brown, Cokie
Roberts, Kimberly Dozier, Arthur & Pauline Frommer, Dan Chiasson and Jill
Allyn Rosser presented and signed books for fans.
-- The Library of Congress continued expanding the joy of reading with
the preview the multilingual World Digital Library, set to debut in April
2009. Demonstrations of how rare documents are digitized mesmerized
students of all ages.
-- The Library of Congress Pavilion featured demonstrations of the
Library's pilot photo-tagging project with Flickr. Library staff also
helped those with old books they treasure learn techniques of preservation
and conservation.
-- The winners of the River of Words contest, the annual international
environmental art and poetry competition for students K-12, were recognized
and read their award-winning works.
-- Children's favorite, Bullseye the Target Dog and the super-size Big
Read Chair, were there for pictures and break time.
-- Target passed out 25,000 children's book totes and 30,000 water
bottles.
-- Hundreds of children walked away as new authors after they visited
the Scholastic build-a-book activity center.
-- Authors visited their home states in the Pavilion of the States to
meet local fans. Also in this pavilion, a favorite feature for young
readers and their families, "Discover Great Places Through Reading," was
back by popular demand.
The 2008 National Book Festival was made possible with generous support
from Distinguished Benefactor Target; Charter Sponsors AT&T and the
Washington Post; Patrons the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the
James Madison Council and the National Endowment for the Arts; and
Contributors Barnes & Noble, Kalima, the Library of Congress Federal Credit
Union, Marshall and Dee Ann Payne, NBA/WNBA, PBS, Penguin Group (USA),
Scholastic Inc. and US Airways; and Friends the Marshall B. Coyne
Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Junior League of Washington once again provided hundreds of
volunteers to help with this year's National Book Festival.
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