National Book Festival
The 24th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, August 24. The event is free and open to the public. A selection of programs will be live-streamed online, and videos of all programs will be available to watch after the Festival.
Every year during the National Book Festival, a list of books representing the literary heritage of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and Northern Marianas is distributed by the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book. Each book is selected by a local Center for the Book or state library.
During the Festival, representatives from all 56 Centers will staff tables to promote their book selections and other literary works reflective of their unique locations. The Roadmap to Reading is the area in the convention center where these 56 tables will be assembled and has been a part of the Festival since 2002.
This year, Colorado will be represented by 2023 Colorado Book Awards General Nonfiction winner Vauhini Vara’s book The Immortal King Rao (adult title), and 2023 Colorado Book Awards Young Adult Literature winner Meg Long’s book Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves.
Established in 1989, the Colorado Center for the Book promotes the value of reading and writing throughout the state by its promotion of literacy and celebration of the written word. It was originally part of the Colorado Department of Education, and became an independent nonprofit organization in 1995. In 2001 it received the Library of Congress’ annual Daniel Boorstin Award as the best Center for the Book in the nation. Colorado Center for the Book and Colorado Humanities merged in 2004 to combine the organizations’ missions and efforts to help promote literature, and literacy-based programs statewide.
2023 National Book Fest Selections
Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue by Adrian Miller and Rise of the Red Hand by Olivia Chadha
Library of Congress Center for the Book
The Library of Congress Center for the Book, which also administers the Poetry and Literature Center, promotes books and libraries, literacy and reading, poetry and literature, with programs including a diverse range of events, series, lectures, partnerships, prizes, contests and awards.
Starting in 1984, the Center for the Book in the Library began to establish affiliate centers in the 50 states. Today, there is a State Center for the Book in all 50 states, as well as the the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and Northern Marianas. These Center for the Book affiliates carry out the national Center’s mission in their local areas, sponsor programs that highlight their area’s literary heritage and call attention to the importance of books, reading, literacy and libraries. Affiliates must submit an application to become part of — and retain — their Center for the Book status, which is renewable for a three-year period. The Center for the Book has established Guidelines for establishing affiliates and for programming activities. The State Centers meet regularly at the Library of Congress to share resources.
CCftB Programs
COLORADO BOOK AWARDS
Celebrating Colorado’s outstanding authors, editors, illustrators, and photographers
CCFTB SPEAKERS BUREAU
Invite local authors to come to your cultural center or school.
COLORADO POET LAUREATE
Award-winning poet Andrea Gibson uses words to empower and forge connections.
MOTHEREAD/
FATHEREAD COLORADO
Help your children become better communicators by implementing these family reading practices.
Special thanks to our sponsors
