hello i'm crosby kemper the director of the institute of museum and library
services support for museums and libraries from
the federal government bringing to you a world of science
history art culture and reading since 2001 we have supported sponsored
partnered with the library of congress in their presentation of the national
book festival our annual celebration of books authors
ideas and fun we in turn partner with state libraries
and local libraries across the land
and in libraries we know the importance of reading as a tool a lever for the
advancement of everyone equity is an important word in america
today we know that reading is the fundamental
skill the basis of all the other skills and we
know that the biggest gaps in this country
for the poor for people of color for the under
resourced and underrepresented around this country start with school and with
reading reading is important for
advancing job skills your career
for education for lifelong learning for understanding the world
for enlightenment but it's also a place of joy and
imagination you know
that's how we learn things about the past how we open up the future
groucho marx one of america's greatest philosophers
once said outside of a dog a book is man's best
friend inside of a dog it's too dark to read
but you know something it really is never too dark to read there's always a
candle or a flashlight or the sun
or before you say good night
the moon so remember as you attend the national
book festival there's always light in reading
enjoy the national book festival