National Book Festival

The 2005 National Book Festival was held on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on 24 September 2005. Close to 100,000 people attended a truly festive event that celebrates reading, writing, and libraries.

Massachusetts was an active participant in the day, with many Bay State authors featured in the performance tents and with a lively Massachusetts table in the Pavilion of the States anchored by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and the Massachusetts Center for the Book. Follow the links below to read more about the day.

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and the Massachusetts Center for the Book teamed up to promote the literary culture of the Commonwealth in the Pavilion of the States. This year, Massachusetts recommended Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes a s its state book and stamped the Pavilion of the States literary map with tri-cornered hat stickers to mark the choice. In previous years, Massachusetts has promoted Make Way for Ducklings, The Cat in the Hat, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Massachusetts also featured the Massachusetts Book Award titles for 2005 and promoted the library program at Simmons College as part of the focus on librarianship at this year's festival.

The Massachusetts table welcomed Jack Gantos, a featured author at the event, to the Pavilion of the States. During his visit, Jack greeted readers and signed complimentary copies of his books. You can view a webcast of his festival presentation and of all Massachusetts writers' appearances by following the links below.

Massachusetts Writers at the 2005 National Book Festival

Joseph Ellis (Amherst resident)
Jack Gantos (Boston resident)
Gish Jen (Cambridge resident)
David McCullough (Martha's Vineyard resident)
Mary Jo Salter (Amherst resident)

Also visit the Library of Congress National Book Festival Site, which hosts webcasts of all writers appearing at the festival.

Images from the Pavilion of the States

	Librarian of Congress, Dr. James H. Billington (left), and Executive Director of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, Dr. John Y. Cole (second from right), vist with Sharon Shaloo (Director, MCB) & Robert Maier (Director, MBLC) at the Massachusetts table. Accompanying Dr. Billington are grandchildren Sarah and Nelson.
David Gray, Communications Director at MBLC, was on hand to promote Massachusetts libraries, the Massachusetts Book Awards, and librarianship at Simmons College.
	Acting Director of IMLS, Mary Chute (left) joins Sharon Shaloo, Jack Gantos, and Rob Maier at the Massachusetts table in the Pavilion of the States. IMLS (the Institute of Museum and Library Services) sponsors the Pavilion of the States and hosts other images at its web site. Visit IMLS.

Jack Gantos greeted readers and signed books during his visit.
Sharon Shaloo and David Gray thank Anne Boni (center), Program Specialist in the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and chief coordinator of the Pavilion of the States, for her efforts on behalf of NBF 2005.

The 2006 National Book Festival will be held on Saturday, September 30th, in Washington, DC. Read More About It at www.loc.gov/bookfest.