National Book Festival

Since 2003, the Junior League of Washington (JLW) has supported the Library of Congress National Book Festival (NBF) by providing trained volunteers to welcome the tens of thousands of book lovers to the festival each year.  

JLW volunteers help book fans meet their favorite authors in the book-signing lines, assist librarians from around the country at the Parade of the States, and guide guests to their new favorite books in the book sales tent and throughout the festival grounds. (Click here to watch a short video of how JLW supports the festival.)

Since our partnership with the Library of Congress began 20 years ago, more than 7,000 JLW volunteers have provided over 45,000 volunteer hours to the NBF – totaling more than $1.57 million in in-kind support. From its original home on the National Mall to its current location in the Washington Convention Center, the NBF celebrates reading and features dozens of celebrated authors each year. JLW enjoys a special connection to the festival through Junior League of Dallas member and former First Lady, Laura Bush, who launched the festival alongside the Library of Congress in 2001.

The 2023 NBF will be held Saturday, August 12. Get the full details here.