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Wednesday, October 1, 2008

CONTACT:
Denise Quezaire
(225) 342-0958
dquezaire@crt.state.la.us
or
Paulita Chartier
(225) 342-9713
pchartier@SLOL.LIB.LA.US

Baton Rouge, La. - To close the 2008 Annual Louisiana Book Festival, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra will perform on the steps of the State Capitol Building from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm on Saturday, October 4. Conductor David Torns and the symphony will present "The Sound of Books," a program of music selections from films that originated as books. The people of Baton Rouge are invited to bring their families to enjoy the concert.

"During the Book Festival, we transform Capitol Park into a playground," said Lt. Governor Landrieu, whose office oversees the State Library. "And to cap off the day, the symphony plays a free, outdoor concert on the steps of the Capitol. This is sure to be fun for the whole family, as the symphony plays scores from favorite movies."

The sixth annual Louisiana Book Festival will be held Saturday, October 4th from 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., in downtown Baton Rouge. The book festival is free and open to the public. During the festival, more than 125 writers will present their latest releases, discuss them with their fans and sign autographs. Other activities include papermaking and bookbinding, book appraisals, and cooking demonstrations. It all takes place in the heart of Baton Rouge at the State Library of Louisiana, the Louisiana State Capitol, the Louisiana State Museum, and nearby locations.

Programs for younger readers will take place throughout the day in the State Library and Young Readers Pavilion. The Young Readers Pavilion includes the Activities Tent, Storytelling Tent, the Writing Enrichment Tent and the Face Painting Tent.

State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton said, "We're reaching beyond the library walls to engage book lovers of all ages. Last year, nearly 3,300 visitors attended the festival, the highest attendance since the festival's inception."