First Lady and Librarian of Congress Unveil Plans for National Book Festival

Posted on July 27, 2001

First Lady Laura Bush and Librarian of Congress James H. Billington will announce plans for the first National Book Festival on Monday, July 30, 2001 at 9:30 a.m. on the Neptune Plaza of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E. (Rain location: Great Hall, inside the Thomas Jefferson Building)

Milwaukee Bucks All Star player Ray Allen will join the Librarian of Congress and Mrs. Bush to speak about how the National Basketball Association and the WNBA will be partnering with the Book Festival. This past May the NBA launched an extensive reading campaign to promote literacy and encourage families and adults to read regularly with children.

The Festival will take place at the Library of Congress on Saturday, September 8, with readings, music, performances, and book-signings for children, adults, and families by a wide selection of noted authors and artists from across the country. First Lady Laura Bush will host the event, which is sponsored by the Library of Congress and inspired by the Texas Book Festival founded by Mrs. Bush.

The First Lady and the Library of Congress hope the National Book Festival will encourage Americans to take advantage of the resources for lifetime learning available in our nation's libraries. Program details, including the names of authors who plan to participate, will be announced at the July 30 news conference.