ALA to participate in the National Book Festival

Contact: Marci Merola


PR Specialist, Advocacy


312-280-2431


mmerola@ala.org

For Immediate Release


September 4, 2007

ALA to participate in the National Book Festival

WASHINGTON, D.C.–The American Library Association (ALA) will highlight reading and libraries at the seventh annual National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress. Hosted by First Lady Laura Bush, book lovers will gather in the nation’s capital on September 29, 2007, to celebrate reading and lifelong literacy.

“The National Book Festival welcomes all Americans to the National Mall to celebrate reading and meet with some of America’s most-loved authors from across the country,” said Mrs. Bush. “Readers of all ages can discover the joys of new books and fall in love again with old favorites.”

The festival will take place on the National Mall between 7th and 14th Streets, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The ALA booth will be located at the Pavilion of the States. Information about Banned Books Week, Library Card Sign-up Month, Teen Read Week, and other ALA initiatives, as well as copies of “American Libraries,” “Booklist” and more, will be available to festival participants.

A preliminary list of participating authors, illustrators, poets, books, activities and other additional information about the festival are available at
www.loc.gov/bookfest. For more information on ALA initiatives, visit
www.ala.org.