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  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2002
PR-249-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG HOSTS RECEPTION
IN CELEBRATION OF THE 24th ANNUAL
NEW YORK IS BOOK COUNTRY FESTIVAL


Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today hosted a reception at the Surrogate's Court to celebrate the 24th Annual New York Is Book Country (NYIBC) Festival. The festival of books will be held from Wednesday, September 25th through Saturday, September 28th at various locations throughout the five boroughs. Each day of the festival will have a theme and the culmination of the festival will be a street fair on Sunday, September 29th along Fifth Avenue between 48th and 57th Streets, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This Citywide event promotes reading by encouraging adults and children to share in a rich variety of activities all inspired by, or related to, the world of books. Among those attending the reception were Deputy Mayor for Policy Dennis Walcott, Department of Records and Information Service's Commissioner Brian Andersson and New York Is Book Country President Linda Exman.

"Since 1979, New York Is Book Country has been a grand event for students, families, book lovers and the book publishing industry throughout New York City," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Encouraging children and adults to read is an important mission, and I am pleased that once again New York is the host of this premier event that celebrates the book industry and promotes literacy throughout our great City."

More than 200,000 book fans are expected to attend the Fifth Avenue street fair, which will display more than 190 booths from publishers, antiquarian booksellers and other exhibitors. The booths will offer activities for all ages, such as a family-focus children's stage that will feature entertainment all day long, including special appearances by well-known children's authors and costumed characters, as well as book signings and readings.

New York Is Book Country is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the joy of reading through the celebration of books. Attracting people of all ages to the book capital of the world, NYIBC brings together publishers, libraries, bookstores, schools, and cultural organizations to produce and host author talks, workshops, panel discussions, readings and special events. NYIBC 2002, in association with The New York Times, is sponsored by the book industry, and presented by Target Stores. For more information about the festival and a complete schedule of events, go to: www.nyisbookcountry.com.

 

www.nyc.gov

Contact: Ed Skyler / Lark-Marie Antón
(212) 788-2958