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US Airways to Sponsor National Book Festival

US Airways to Sponsor National Book Festival

Published 09-06-01

Submitted by US Airways Group, Inc.

US Airways announced today that it is joining with First Lady Laura Bush and the Library of Congress to support the importance of reading through the first National Book Festival.

The Festival, to be held at the Library of Congress and on the east lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is inspired by the Texas Book Festival founded by Mrs. Bush. The National Festival will include readings and book signings by nearly 60 award-winning authors and illustrators of books for both adults and children. Mrs. Bush is host for the festival. US Airways is the Premier Carrier for the National Book Festival.

Additional activities will include musical performances, storytelling, panel discussions, demonstrations of illustration and new technologies, as well as a special conservation clinic for family albums and documents. The event is free and open to the public.

"Reading is one of the foundations upon which the life and commerce of our country are built and we are proud to be associated with this highly significant event. Mrs. Bush and the Library of Congress are to be congratulated for taking the leadership so necessary in support of one of the fundamentals, and the joys, of modern life - reading," said US Airways Chairman Stephen M. Wolf.

Dr. James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress, said, "We must all try, in every way we can, to send the message that reading is critical to our lives and to the life of our nation. We hope this event will encourage American families to develop a lifelong love of reading."

A variety of events will be held as part of the Festival:

On the morning of Friday, Sept. 7, a "Back-to School" program will be held in the Great Hall of the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building with Mrs. Bush and Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and fourth grade students from Abingdon Elementary School in Arlington, Va. Mrs. Bush and NBA stars Grant Hill and Lisa Leslie will read from their favorite books and the Librarian of Congress will demonstrate how the Library's Website for families, www.americaslibrary.gov, can be used as an educational resource.

Pavilions will be set up on the east lawn of the U.S. Capitol with both adult and children's authors reading excerpts from their works throughout the day. A storytelling pavilion and a pavilion featuring "great ideas for promoting reading, literacy, and libraries" are planned.

Book-signings, book sales, and panel presentations on children's books, biographies, mysteries, and poetry will be held in the Library's Thomas Jefferson and James Madison Buildings.

A special Conservation Clinic will be offered on how to preserve family photos and documents.

Demonstrations in the Library's National Digital Library Learning Center in the Madison Building on computer learning featuring the Library's Websites, and talking books and new technologies from the Library's services for people with disabilities.

Musical groups will perform in front of the Jefferson Building and food will be available on the plaza of Madison Building across the street.

For more information about the National Book Festival, call toll-free (888) 714-4696 or consult the Festival's Web site at www.loc.gov/bookfest.

US Airways Group, Inc.

US Airways Group, Inc.

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