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 Fiction 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.

Enjoy Colorado’s 2024 National Book Festival Selections with Your Book Club

We recently partnered with the Colorado Virtual Library to spotlight Colorado’s Adult and Young Adult selections for the 24th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival, The Immortal King Rao by Vauhini Vara and Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long.

Two sets of each title are available for reading groups in Colorado. Each set contains eight copies and is loaned out for eight weeks at a time, plus renewals if no other holds are waiting. Each set comes with tailored discussion questions, available below. To request a set, visit your local library or enroll to the Colorado Book Club Service.

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 AUTHOR TALKS

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.

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FATHEREAD COLORADO

Help your children become better communicators by implementing these family reading practices.

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Upcoming Events

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Unveiling New National History Day Curricula

December 6 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Meet Elsa Wolff’s Annie Oakley – Littleton

December 19 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Museum on Main Street in Gunnison

January 8, 2025 - February 18, 2025

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