Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Wednesday, September 22, 1999

Release # 368-99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Brenda Pérez (212) 788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI HOSTS NEW YORK IS BOOK COUNTRY RECEPTION

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani tonight hosted a Gracie Mansion reception honoring the 21st annual New York is Book Country (NYIBC). A celebration of books and reading, this 5-day festival - September 22-26 -- will feature more than 120 book-related events Citywide, including entertainment, contests, trivia games, literary brunches and booths from publishers, bookstores and antiquarian booksellers. The theme for this year's NYIBC is Y2READ, in tune with the upcoming new millennium.

Also in attendance were: NYIBC Chairman Robert Miller; and NYIBC Founder and President Linda Exman, who presented the Mayor with the "21 New Classics for the 21st Century." These 21 books were written in the last 50 years and selected as classics by top-level librarians representing each of the three New York City public library systems - Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

"It is a pleasure to welcome you all to celebrate another great year of New York is Book Country," the Mayor said. "Without question, New York City is the Publishing Capital of the World. This is tremendously important -- not only because books are big business, but also because books chronicle our culture, expand our horizons and help us understand our fellow human beings and ourselves.

"The NYIBC Festival provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy great books and I invite all New Yorkers to take advantage of this enriching experience," the Mayor concluded.

New York is Book Country, in association with The New York Times, is sponsored by the book industry. This year's patrons include Barnes & Noble; Borders Books & Music; Harper Collins Publishers; Random House, Inc.; Scholastic, Inc.; and Time Warner Trade Publishing. Corporate support is provided by Con Edison.

The NYIBC festival culminates with the a street fair on September 26 on Fifth Avenue, between 48th and 57th Streets, from 11 am to 5 pm. Information on this and all other events is available on the NYIBC website at: www.bookreporter.com/nyisbookcountry

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