IMLS Booth at the Parade of States
Attendees can meet representatives from their home states and learn about each state's literary heritage from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the Parade of the States. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in cooperation with the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) and additional funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), makes it possible for an affiliate of the Library's Center for the Book in each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories to participate in the festival. Additional support is provided by the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies.
A map-brochure for young people, available at the IMLS, NEH and Junior League of Washington (JLW) tables in the Parade of the States, offers a fun and educational activity. Young people are encouraged to visit all 53 tables to collect a unique stamp. Those who do will receive a prize from IMLS.
As the chief sponsor of the Parade of States, the Institute of Museum and Library Services booth will showcase how libraries are so much more than books. They’re places of change. Visitors will learn about innovative programs funded by IMLS in libraries across the nation, as well as the important role of state libraries. In addition to being a prize destination for completing the Parade of States activity, the IMLS booth invites visitors to make their mark on a map of the United States and strike a pose at a photo booth.
Parade of States Stage
On the Parade of the States stage, IMLS invites people of all ages to learn how anyone who wants to can be a librarian, as a diverse set of current and future librarians talk about their chosen path. Join in for a unique story time session by librarians serving differently abled populations, to demonstrate how libraries are reaching out to include all people from their communities. More details about the IMLS sessions on the Parade of States Stage are listed on the schedule below:
Hear from four state library organizations about how they are transforming traditional story times to be dynamic, inclusive, and accessible. Includes a mini-training and demonstrations for parents, caregivers, teachers, and librarians.
9:30-10:15 AM and 1:30-2:15 PM
Learn from five emerging voices in the library profession who have participated in a unique and exciting project to make the library profession more diverse and dynamic.
11:30-12:15 PM and 3:30-4:15 PM
About the National Book Festival
Since its inception in 2002, the “Parade of States” at the National Book Festival has been a collaborative effort of the Center for the Book and IMLS to promote libraries, literacy, and reading. Primarily through the support of IMLS, representatives from State Libraries and Centers for the Book across the country staff State tables, interact with enthusiastic festival attendees (adults and children), and provide a wealth of information on their State’s literary heritage and its local libraries, book festivals, activities dedicated to promoting local authors and reading, and careers and opportunities in library and information science. The State tables’ themes present a balance of State literary heritage topics, as well as informing the public of impactful and important services provided by the Nation’s State Libraries. Click here to learn more about the National Book Festival.