January 19, 2006 2006 National Book Festival to Be Held Sept. 30

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

The 2006 National Book Festival, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by first lady Laura Bush, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006, 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 sixth year, the Library’s book festival is a national tradition with book lovers from around the country,” said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington. “This year’s festival promises to offer an even greater representation of the nation’s rich creativity.”

The 2005 festival attracted 79 award-winning authors, illustrators and poets, and a crowd of more than 100,000. Pavilions at the 2006 National Book Festival will feature authors who write in a wide variety of genres, including “Fiction & Fantasy,” “History & Biography,” “Mysteries & Thrillers,” “Poetry,” “Home & Family,” “Children” and “Teens & Children.” “The Pavilion of the States” represents reading 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.

Festival goers may bring books, or buy them at the festival, for authors to sign. Children can meet some of their favorite storybook and television characters, who will appear on the festival grounds throughout the day.

The 2006 National Book Festival will be made possible through the generous support of the private sector.

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 06-022
2006-01-19
ISSN 0731-3527