The Waverly BookFest 2008 is all about books, all day long.
This is the second year for the BookFest, presented by the Friends of the Waverly Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
“We decided to do one thing each year that we organize to get a lot of people into the branch who don’t visit on a regular basis,” said Ann Giroux, founder of the Friends of Waverly Branch organization. “The BookFest is a lot of fun.”
Last year, the BookFest welcomed more than 900 people, and Giroux says she expects the same numbers this year.
Newbery award-winner and local librarian Laura Amy Schlitz will read from her book, “Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!” at 10 a.m., followed by a signing.
“One of the hallmarks of the Waverly BookFest is that you can do things that you can’t do at any other time, at any other place,” Giroux said. “We don’t just have people come in and give lectures, we are always active.”
The event also offers lectures, face-painting, arts and crafts, a book sale, silent auction and food and drink.
David Ray, owner of Allen’s Bookshop in Canton, has been appraising books for more than 20 years, and will bring his skills to the BookFest on Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m.
“Some books are very rare, some books are very unrare,” he said. “First thing we look for is condition — that’s very important in collectible books. Scarcity is also of major importance; there are so many books out there and not that many are very sought-after. Over the years, you know what to look for.”
If you go
- Waverly BookFest 2008
- Where: Waverly Branch of Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 E. 33rd St., Baltimore
- When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
- Tickets: Free
- Info: 410-396-6053
