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ND Center for the Book

Library of Congress - Center for the Book

National Book Festival

 

2024 National Book Festival 

When: August 24, 2024 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

Where: Washington, DC Convention Center 

Can't join us live? Several programs will be available for viewing after the festival concludes. Check back here for those sessions!

Founded in 2001 by Laura Bush and then-librarian James Billington, the National Book Festival is an annual literary event where authors, poets and illustrators along with thousands of book lovers come together to celebrate and promote reading and literacy. The event brings book talks, author panel discussions, book signings and so much more to the Washington D.C Convention center.  From it's conception, the Festival has grown to be one of the nation's most prominent literary events. 

Fun Facts: 

  • In 2001 the attendance at the Festival was 25,000. In 2019 attendance was over 200,000. 
  • The first year of the festival hosted 40 authors. In 2015 more that 175 authors were in attendance. 

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Many of these resources and programs are funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.