Library of Congress Launches National Book Festival App

Strategic Insights -

The Library of Congress has released a free, robust smartphone app for the 15th anniversary of its National Book Festival, designed to enhance the festival experience for attendees. The app allows users to plan and build their personalized schedule, find activities and authors, rate presentations, and share photos and videos on social media. The festival takes place on September 5, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Book Festival app is available for free download on iOS and Android devices, and also has a web version for users with incompatible smartphones.
  • The app contains the complete schedule of over 175 author presentations, book-signings, and special programs and activities.
  • Users can plan and build their personalized schedule in advance, make changes on-site, and receive notifications for schedule or location changes.
  • The app also includes sponsor information, general festival guidelines, and frequently asked questions.
  • Attendees can take photos and videos directly from presentations and share them on Twitter and/or Instagram using the festival hashtag #NatBookFest15.
  • Book-lovers who cannot attend the event can download the app and follow the festival through a custom activity feed, seeing impressions and images shared by other festivalgoers.
  • The app is designed to enhance the festival experience for attendees, making it easier to navigate the event and connect with authors and other book-lovers.
  • David M. Rubenstein has been the lead benefactor of the National Book Festival since 2010 and has pledged funding for five more years.

Statistics:

  • The National Book Festival app is available for iOS and Android devices.
  • The app contains the schedule of over 175 author presentations and special programs.
  • The festival takes place on September 5, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
  • Over 10,000 festival attendees are expected at the event.
  • The Library of Congress has been funding the National Book Festival since 2010.
  • The festival has over 20 charter, patron, and contributor sponsors, including AARP, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and The Washington Post.

Sources:

  • "Library of Congress Releases National Book Festival App" [Release date not specified]
  • loc.gov/apps/
  • Wikipedia: National Book Festival
  • Library of Congress Homepage
  • National Book Festival Board Sponsors