National Book Festival draws record crowd

On Saturday September 25, 2010, a record-setting 150,000 people gathered to attend the 10^th annual National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC . The festival is organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and David M. Rubenstein are the co-chairs of the new National Book Festival Board, and President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are honorary chairs for the event.

Festival-goers not only celebrated with their favorite authors in standing-room-only pavilions, but also had the opportunity to interact directly with authors and to get books signed. Over 70 best-selling authors gave presentations, including Isabel Allende, Ken Follett, Michele Norris, Suzanne Collins, Katherine Paterson, and Jonathan Franzen.  

For more information and to watch webcasts of the authors’ presentations, visit the festival homepage.