Related Resources at the Library
The 12th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival will be held on the National Mall between 9th and 14th Streets on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 23 from noon to 5:30 p.m., rain or shine. The event is free and open to the public.
Author Pavilions
More than 100 authors, illustrators and poets will make presentations on the National Mall throughout the weekend in the Children, Teens, Fiction & Mystery, History & Biography, Contemporary Life, Poetry & Prose, SciFi Fantasy & Graphic Novels and Special Programs pavilions, plus the Family Storytelling Stage featuring authors and musical acts popular with young children.
Library of Congress Pavilion
At the Library of Congress Pavilion you can explore the history of the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and discover tools for researching and preserving your own family history. This year’s Library of Congress Pavilion offers a behind-the-scenes look at the many ways the Library brings its extraordinary resources to people everywhere.
See Full Library of Congress Pavilion Schedule
Let's Read America
Children and families will enjoy reading-related activities in the Let’s Read America pavilions sponsored by the Washington Post, Wells Fargo, AT&T, PBS Kids, LEGO DUPLO and Scholastic Inc. and have an opportunity to visit the Digital Bookmobile powered by OverDrive.
Read more about Let's Read America and other activities
Pavilion of the States (Saturday only)
The Pavilion of the States, sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, salutes the literary traditions of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories. A brochure available in this pavilion, called “Discover Great Places Through Reading,” offers a list of 52 great reads. Many of these books will be for sale in the Book Sales Pavilion.
Book Sales Pavilion
Barnes and Noble is the official bookseller for the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival. Visit the book sales pavilion conveniently located on the festival grounds if you’d like to purchase selected books by 2012 National Book Festival authors. Be sure to pick up books by your favorite authors before going to the book-signing areas.
Read more about publications from the Library featured at the festival
Keep Up with the Festival
More details will be announced and described when they are finalized. To keep up with the most current news on the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival, follow us via one of the three ways below:
- Subscribe to our RSS news feed
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- Follow the Library on Twitter
Map of Festival Grounds
Here’s how you can find your way around and plot your course for the weekend.
Download map (PDF 295Kb)
Getting Here
The National Book Festival site is convenient to several Metro subway stations:
- Smithsonian and Federal Center SW on the Blue and Orange lines
- L’Enfant Plaza and Archives/Navy Memorial on the Yellow and Green lines
Numerous bus routes from Washington, Maryland and Virginia also stop along the National Mall. For additional information and route planning, visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority web site at www.metroforward.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Books, posters, volunteering and more.
Go to FAQs page
Accessibility
ASL interpreting services will be provided in all author pavilions during scheduled events. The Accessibility & Information tent (located near the Smithsonian Metro stop) will offer access to ASL interpreters, assistive listening devices (ALDs), large-print programs, Braille programs and other special services.
Contracted Braille
To view PDFs 
