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WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, will preside over the ninth National Book Festival, to be held on the National Mall on Saturday, Sept. 26.
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The daylong event celebrates the joys of reading and literacy.
Participants can meet and hear from about 70 award-winning authors, poets and illustrators, and take part in a variety of activities.
The festival is organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress and is free and open to the public.
"We are delighted that the President and Mrs. Obama are committed to bringing this inspirational event to people of all ages nationwide," Librarian of Congress James H. Billington said in a statement.
Former first lady Laura Bush inaugurated the festival in 2001, modeling it after a similar event she held as first lady of Texas.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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