If there’s anything the organizers and sponsors of the 2009 Library of Congress National Book Festival can do to increase literacy rates, they are set to do it — and have fun in the process.
Thousands of volunteers and staff have undertaken the massive task of organizing the festival, now in its ninth year. The program is meant to expose attendees to a variety of authors. John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, Judy Blume and Michael Connelly are among the well-known authors who are scheduled to participate.
“It’s a magical experience,” said Elisabeth Somerville, who oversees literacy programs and coordinates volunteers for the Junior League of Washington. The group undertakes a host of literacy events and projects and supplies about half of the festival’s 900 volunteers.
“Being able to see the authors and listen to the authors … talk about the writing process,” Somerville said. “You have such a personal experience reading a book, then you can share that with all those people [who attend the event].”
The festival began when former first lady Laura Bush invited Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and the Library of Congress to join her in its creation. The goal of the festival is to celebrate the joys of reading through a series of events centered on author presentations, book signings and more.
The event is supported entirely by private donations solicited by the Library of Congress. This year, President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are honorary chairmen, although organizers have not received confirmation of attendance.
Publishers nominate authors, illustrators and poets to participate in the event. A panel then selects the final participants.
“Many other [book events] are commercial,” Roberta Stevens, National Book Festival project manager at the Library of Congress, said of the free event. “Ours is totally not at all — it is a celebration of books and reading.”
John Cole, librarian and historian at the Library of Congress, oversees author coordination. Since its inception, when 25,000 attendees — almost double the expected crowd — arrived at the event’s former site on Capitol Hill, the event has grown to about 120,000 participants and 78 authors.
“It’s the general appeal of celebrity,” Cole said of what sets this festival apart from other book events. “It really has taken on a nonpartisan aura about it and focuses on reading.”
That’s not to say the festival doesn’t also have a host of other activities for children, teens and adults. Sponsors Target, Borders (which will oversee authors’ book sales), PBS and others will host story readings, contests and special attractions such as a visit by “Sesame Street’s” Elmo.
Natalie Laing, president of the Junior League of Washington, said those who attend feel a special bond with other participants.
“This is a different type of book festival,” she said. “It’s an amazing event that makes everyone feel part of things that are important to community. There is also a very personal feel to it.”
When Teresa Amend of Dallas, whose company The Amend Group (formerly Workplace USA) is an original sponsor, speaks about the festival, her enthusiasm is infectious.
“I guess my secret’s out, isn’t it?” she said. “I LOVE the National Book Festival and the Library [of Congress] that hosts it. And I just know that everyone who attends this year will enjoy it as much as I always have.”
