The Texas Book Festival is a free annual book festival held in downtown Austin, Texas. The festival takes place each fall in October or November and includes programming for children and adults.[1] It is one of the largest and most critically acclaimed book festivals in the United States.[2]
A person reading a book at the 2012 Texas Book Festival
In addition to the annual book festival, Texas Book Festival — a 501(c)(3) non-profit — organizes year-round literary programming and community outreach programs. This includes library grants to public libraries across Texas[3] and author visits with book donations to Title I schools through its Reading Rock Stars and Real Reads programs.
Since the inception of the Reading Rock Stars and Real Reads programs, the Texas Book Festival has donated more than 166,000 books to students in Title I schools and provided more than 757 author visits.[4]
As an organization, Texas Book Festival aims to inspire Texans of all ages to love reading through its mission to connect authors and readers through experiences that celebrate the culture of literacy, ideas, and imagination.
Beginnings
The festival was established in 1995 by Laura Bush, then the First Lady of Texas, and Mary Margaret Farabee, wife of former State SenatorRay Farabee. The festival was initially created to benefit the state's public library system, promote the joy of reading, and honor Texas authors. The first festival took place at the Texas State Capitol in November 1996.[5]
Expansion
Since then, the festival has greatly expanded, attracting major bestsellers and award-winners.
With the assistance of Honorary Chairman and librarian, Mrs. Bush, and a task force, the festival has grown, hosting more than 2,000 authors since its introduction.[6] It grew to hosting about 250 - 300 authors each year and attracting more than 40,000 attendees.[5]
Traditionally help the Friday before festival weekend, the First Edition Literary Gala serves as Texas Book Festival's major annual fundraiser. Gala proceeds make it possible for Texas Book Festival to bring books and authors to 15,000 students in Title I schools every year, award grants to Texas public libraries, and keep the annual fall Festival free for all.[citation needed]
In 2020, the festival was held online, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, a hybrid was held, with both online and limited in-person components. In 2022, the festival returned to a fully in-person event. [9]
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Texas_Book_Festival, and is written by contributors.
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