What a weekend! It was so exciting to see so many readers come together on Saturday, September 6th, to celebrate the 25th annual National Book Festival. Whether you attended in person or watched live online, or were unable to attend but plan on coming next year: tell us all about it!
Almost 1,500 of you responded to the NBF 2024 survey. More attendees traveled from out of state, enjoyed more offerings of fantasy and romance programming, expressed preference for opportunities to interact with authors more directly, suggested a bigger festival footprint, and asked for an easier to navigate schedule.
In response to this feedback, we expanded the book sales and signing areas as well as the exhibit floor for kid-friendly activities provided by the Library of Congress divisions, Story and STEM Districts, and sponsors. We streamlined our schedule structure and added more genre and nonfiction variety. We also continued to host the Library Lounge for those who wanted to rest and read quietly, and added a new Workshop Space to increase interactive programming for all ages.
Your feedback is important! Please take a moment and tell us about your experiences during the National Book Festival by completing our survey by September 26.
Comments (27)
I had a great time seeing the panels! My only concern was the book signing lines. I arrived 40 minutes early to a signing and was shown to the VE Schwab line and waited over two hours for a book signing to not get signed. I know the volume was a lot but I think there was some organizational line errors as the lines were organized middle to left AND right, and the left side received their books signed first even if we were filled on the right side first. Not sure if there was communication regarding how the lines were organized but it was not well done unfortunately.
I’m interest to work and live
This was our first time attending and we had a wonderful time! We will absolutely attend again.
Two suggestions: highly recommend making it VERY obvious when items are free vs. display. Guests weren’t sure if the NBF posters at the table were for sale for instance. At the hall of states (which was really well done!), my young girls were never sure what they were allowed to take. For example, it was ok to take a book from a pile on one table, but a nearly identical setup at the next table was strictly for display, making them unsure what they should do (so they naturally assumed everything was off limits). Some clear, bright signage would really help guests from feeling awkward about asking. Some of the items available to take were AMAZING, but guests would not normally assume such nice books were free.
Ramps: We were with a guest with mobility issues. As we left, there were two entrances to the exit ramp, but on completely opposite ends. It was so crowded but ultimately we were told to go all the way to the other end because “this side of the ramp is closed,” but there were no signs and caused a lot of extra walking as a result. Having both ramp entrances open would solve this, or at least very clear signs.
I love the festival and go every year! It’s always the best:) The only issue I have, is when I try to get one book signing and plan to get another, I always miss the second one because the line takes forever. I realize it’s great when authors talk to their fans, but maybe a time limit on signatures/pictures should occur. I planned carefully this year, but still was unable to get all the signatures I wanted. But I still got 4, so I’m happy either way!
I loved everything
My only suggestion
Open the dining options before 9 am.
The coffee lines were too long. I couldnt get my hot dog until 9 am. 😂
I loved that the book festival was more spread out this year. It was really crowded last year and I appreciate that you understood the need for more space. Great job putting together another fabulous book festival.
Hello
I miss Wells fargo and Scholastic booths … there were less kids activities as usual. We need lockers to keep the books that we buy and not carry them all day long.
I enjoyed the expanded space, it was so overwhelming crowded. Once a book or books were selected, the line to checkout was fast. The person checking me out was a true people person. I cannot wait until next year’s fair.
we did not attend because of the military invasion of Washington DC. We didn’t want to condone the Trump regime’s fascist takeover, and it would ruin our time visiting our national capital maybe we can come back someday when Trump and his fascist regime have been ousted from power.
Being a local resident, I have been to many LC BookFests. Every year is different and fabulous! This year I finally visited the 50-state/territories and got all the stamps. How fun to talk with people from other states and territories. How exciting to watch the children and teens looking at books, being curious!
Thank you, Library of Congress, for another great BookFest!
Thank you for all the planning and work put into the 25th National book Festival! I was able to bring my Granddaughter who is 9 years old. She loved getting stamps from each state in the exhibit area but I would suggest that you have room to spread them out so that it is not so crowed. She enjoyed the bean bag chairs in the story area but we need more and more chairs for the adults to sit outside the area, too.
It was a wonderful experience for my granddaughter on Saturday, September 6! We look forward to next year!
Thank you so much! I loved the display of posters from each year, too!
Yall need better management of the book signing process, please! People were definitely holding up lines chatting away with authors, and I’m sure the authors don’t want to have to personalize Every. Single. Book. Some of us are just happy to get a simple signature! We missed seeing several authors and talks, because the signing lines took forever. 🙁
It was rewarding to experience Adichie and Mendelsohn.
However, we were in a very long line that got us within about 25-30 people of getting into the large ballroom for Chernow with many people behind us. I hope that you will anticipate when there will be huge crowd and make available overflow space with a closed circuit TV.
It was a good idea to have a system to have chairs for people who could not stand and to effectively give them a place in line, but it was not understandable.
Great sessions, but much fewer than before and thus much longer lines to attend. Need to go back to the previous number of parallel sessions without any of the non-literary big names on the main stage. Do away with the main stage altogether.
I had a fantastic time this year!! This is the 5th year in a row I have attended and I am an awe of how well-organized the entire event is each time. I appreciate the volunteers, LOC staff, and authors for contributing to the special event.
As terms of the food, it would be helpful to have a few more options for vegans and
vegetarians.
Overall, a wonderful Book Festival!
Really enjoyed the expansion of the show. Using all of the convention was a good move. I ran into an issue with the workshop. I tried to get into one, but it was in full capacity. I get that, but what I didn’t like was that people left the workshop. I counted 15 people leaving, but I was told it was still at full capacity. It obviously wasn’t. The people at the door knew as well, so it was obvious that there were empty seats. But they read from a script that it was still full capacity. They turned so many people away. They could have had a stand by line and when people left, they could have asked if they were truly leaving. Then counting the number that left, added the same number into the room. Or some system instead of not letting anybody in on a half full room. Makes zero sense. Otherwise, I had a good time.
This was my 5th time attending the festival and loved it….again. I was happy that it was more spread out this year and that the book signings and book store was downstairs which made things much easier. I didn’t get to the bookstore until the afternoon and a few books that I wanted to purchase were sold out. It would be helpful to have more copies of the books talked about in the larger sessions since presumably more people would want to purchase those books. I’m looking forward to attending again next year.
This was our tenth time at the festival. Thank you for another wonderful day. I was especially glad that there were plenty of programs and posters this year. In previous years, both were not available by early afternoon.
This year (I’ve attended the festival nearly every year since 2001) I decided to visit every table representing states and territories. I’m very glad I did! Each table had their own assortment of information in bookmarks, or maps, or leaflets, or small posters, (unless they had run out – it’s important to arrive early), even carnival beads, attended by cheerful and helpful representatives and volunteers. I love learning about new authors or more about known authors, and about new publications. I think I have a year’s supply of information and ideas on what to read next until the next festival! Thank you!
This is a wonderful event and in a world that is so screen driven it is encouraging to see so many interested in books and reading. My suggestion is to have a person with a large sign marking the end of the line for the author panels. The lines were so long and it was difficult to find the end when they were wrapped around as they were. Even better if they could give a rough idea once the line has reached a point where it is likely to exceed capacity for the room.
Had a great time but felt number of choices was lower than in the past. My husband is interested in science and found that lacking. The speakers I heard were very good. Could have used more jumbo screens. I was disappointed that Lalami was on at 7. Too late for a well respected author. All in all a great day. Nice to have so many volunteers.
Having been a National Book Festival attendee since it’s inception (outside on the National Mall) and experiencing the recent move to the Convention Center, I had previously observed many mobile carts, luggage, strollers used to carry books although the guidelines stated, “no wheeled luggage, etc.”. I had contacted the Festival and the ADA Department in advance this year with my concerns about being elderly and carrying close to 50 lbs. of signed hardcover books. I was issued a letter allowing this telling me to present it at security when I wheeled in with my 16 x 16 mobile cart. I was stunned when I presented the letter to the guard, was told “Oh, a cart – go ahead; no problem” and ushered through the security line. No one even looked at the letter! I had later discussed this with other attendees an were told “they changed the rule!” If my previous request had prompted discussions (as I was told), and “rules were changed”, please ensure this is made clear in your guidelines for future festivals so other attendees are aware and can prepare properly.
Upon entering the Festival and seeing many volunteers with orange shirts and “Ask Me” signs, both my wife and I asked, “where is the States Pavilion” (as it was not shown on the online map). One volunteer stated, “They didn’t do that this year” to me; while the volunteer standing a few feet away from her told my wife “It’s on the 3rd floor” and directed her. WHY do volunteers holding “ASK ME” signs NOT have the pertinent information when asked by a patron?
I immediately headed to the Book Sales area to purchase the Justice Amy Coney Barrett book. After purchasing it, I headed to Line 21 (at entirely the opposite end of the bottom floor) and arrived at 8:45am, for the 11:15am signing. I saw both a red and black carpet panel. After ushering a nearby volunteer over to me, I inquired which carpet I should wait on. Her reply was “I’m not sure; let me check”. She came back and informed me that no one was allowed on the red carpet until an hour before the signing. I looked at my watch and explained I preferred to wait and be first in line (as I had 17 other book signing planned) and moved to the exact end of the carpet. She was fine with this. Ten minutes later, a different volunteer approached me (and now another waiting attendee) and told us we need to move further back; which we did – still in alignment with the carpet. A third attendee arrived. A few minutes later yet a different volunteer approached our trio and stated “You cannot congregate here; please move over by the concession stand). I said to her I was the first to arrive and this was the third time being moved. She stated “This my second year doing this – I know the rules!” I replied “This is my 25th year attending and have never been treated like this!” She simply retorted “Welcome back – good to see you – enjoy your day!” At this time, the other attendee waiting for the Barrett line stated that he was also a volunteer and not scheduled until later in the day yet was shocked by the treatment we received and that it certainly was not in line with the 21-page volunteer guideline book he reviewed the night before. After approximately a ½-hour waiting near the concession area – now getting more congested by a growing V.C. Schwab line attendees, two security officers dressed in black approached the group and stated “we are clearing this floor – you need to leave the area immediately!” The entire group heading to the “UP” escalator and congregated there until 10:15am when we proceeded down the our assigned lines. Having at once been 1st in line at 8:45am; I was now 7th at 10:15am. There entire line stated how rude and uninformed the volunteers were and that “if you give them an orange shirt to wear – they feel they own the place”. I highly stress that procedures with ALL volunteers are reviewed – and monitored – before next year’s festival.
After speaking with the volunteer waiting in the Barrett line about my security issue with my ADA letter allowing my cart and the guard simply waving my in, he stated he was appalled by the fact that volunteer workers were given a separate entrance upon arrival – that HAD NO SECURITY CHECK AT ALL !!!!! Are you kidding me ???? In this time of constant upheaval and turbulent times, you let ANYONE into a building without a security check – simply because they are wearing an orange Book Festival t-shirt. My fear now is that someone will read this paragraph and simply volunteer next year to receive a t-shirt, gain access, and bring some sort of trouble to the festival!
Although some of the line volunteer workers were friendly and knowledgeable, a trio at the Scott Turow table blatantly ignored rules and allowed a man to walk ahead of a group of five people adhering to the 1-hour before waiting period to become the first in line! When I stated this situation to the volunteers in the signing table area, they did absolutely nothing about it and let the patron keep his place first in line.
At one point, within adjacent Lines #3 & #4, I was coordinating with a fellow attendee to switch places with her in line (if I reached the author’s table first) as she wished to get a picture along with her signed book. We had agreed to simply switch places in line to make that happen. However, the volunteer overhearing this stated that if either of us left the line, we would have to rejoin it at the end of the line! We were not cutting in front of anybody, simply exchanging places in line – yet were informed we could not do this. Everybody witnessing these exchanges in BOTH lines thought the volunteer was simply “being ridiculous”!
Again, having attended the Book Festival since its inception, I have gained many new book loving friends and made even more friendships this year in the book signing lines. The overall impression of the attendees is that we are all very friendly, there for the same reason, understand the crowd and author signing limitations, and adhere to whatever policies are in place. However, we all agreed that our genuinely organized groups of patrons are overshadowed by the uninformed, rude, and overbearing volunteers assigned to work with the public.
Geraldine Brooks was wonderful in telling her story about the loss of her husband. The poets laureate panel was one of the most ineteresting events I’ve been to. Ron Charles did an excellent job as moderator.
Wonderful festival! I love how it was more spread out than in previous years, and I felt like I could easily find all of the panels I was trying to get to.
I did arrive late to a panel after a signing and they weren’t letting people in during the Q&A. That seems to have been a policy change, and I was a little disappointed about that, but now that I know, I will probably skip some signings.
I thought it very clever that John Green pre-signed his books! This might be a nice option to offer from more authors (especially super popular ones), as it might alleviate some of the pressure in the lines.
As always, I met so many fellow book lovers, talked books all day, and went home exhausted and joyful! This is my favorite event of the year, and I always make the 8 hour drive! I cannot wait to hear when next year’s festival will be held, so I can book my hotel room!
I am having trouble getting access to the online recording.
Hello, Charlotte – which recording are you looking to access? Not all videos from the festival are available yet, but I will be happy to follow up with you when the one you are looking for is uploaded.
Happy 25th!! This was my 17th year at the festival, and it was wonderful! I love that things were more spread out and the rooms were bigger, but I wish there were more video screens, as in previous years. While I liked having time between sessions, there seemed to be fewer author presentations. The tee-shirts were plentiful this year (last year they were gone by 10:00) and the sales space was more spacious and better managed. Thank you for a wonderful event. See you next year!