The heightened security and muddy lawns that marked the second National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., couldn’t keep the crowds away. Some 40,000 book-lovers strolled the grounds of the U.S. Capitol October 12, dropping in and out of white circus-style tents where authors and books were the main attraction. First Lady and former librarian Laura Bush and Librarian of Congress James Billington presided over the daylong festival, which featured over 70 authors, illustrators, and storytellers, including Mary Higgins Clark, U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Judith Martin (a.k.a. Miss Manners), and David McCullough.
In contrast to last year’s kickoff on the steps of the Library of Congress, this year’s opening ceremonies were held inside the White House. “Let this festival remind us of the pure joy of the bookworm,” the First Lady proclaimed. She later toured the festival accompanied by Russian First Lady Lyudmila Putin.
Building on the success of the inaugural festival, this year’s event also included book discussions, appearances by children’s storybook characters such as Clifford the Big Red Dog, performances representing a wide range of America’s musical traditions, and a conservation clinic for books, family letters, and albums. In contrast to last year, there was no admission to government buildings; book sales and signings and all other events were held in tents on the Mall.
In addition to post–September 11 anxiety, a series of murders during the week of the festival by a sniper in the Washington area added to the security concerns, but Billington said at a pre-festival press conference that the library was working with law enforcement to ensure the safety of attendees. That included blocking off streets, fencing off the lawn, and passing crowds through metal detectors all morning in anticipation of the First Ladies’ visit.
Posted October 21, 2002.