NWP to Participate in National Book Festival

By: NWP Staff
Publication: The Voice, Vol. 7, No. 4
Date: September-October 2002

Summary: NWP joins 60 other education organizations at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., October 12, 2002.

The National Writing Project will participate in the Library of Congress's second National Book Festival on October 12, 2002, an all-day celebration of reading, libraries, and literacy to be held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. As a new member in the library's Center for the Book reading promotion partnership program, NWP will join about 60 other education-related organizations, including the U.S. Department of Education, the American Federation of Teachers, the International Reading Association, and Reading Is Fundamental to participate in the festival. The event will be hosted by first lady Laura Bush and will feature activities ranging from author signings to musical and storytelling performances.

"We are pleased to be working with the Center for the Book and to be participating in this year's National Book Festival," said NWP Executive Director Richard Sterling. "The center promotes literacy on a national and international level and is a natural partner for the National Writing Project."

Between 25,000 and 30,000 people are expected to attend this year's celebration. While the event is geared toward children and families, a number of teachers, administrators, and others from the education community are expected to attend. NWP representatives will pass out information on the writing project in the "Let's Read America" pavilion, one of nine literacy promotion pavilions that will be set up along the Mall. More than 70 nationally known authors will participate in the event, including Eric Carle, David McCullough, Mary Higgins Clark, and David Baldacci.

Established as part of the Library of Congress in 1977, the Center for the Book has been promoting books, libraries, reading, and literacy both nationally and internationally for 25 years. The center's major themes revolve around the recognition and celebration of America's literary heritage, the role of books and reading in today's society, the international role of books, and the history of books and print culture.

For more information on the Center for the Book and the 2002 National Book Festival, please visit their website.