Louisiana Book Festival

What goes up must come down. Last year’s featured books make way for this year’s. Stay tuned!

Have a closet full of old beads? Need to free up space in the attic? Is your house sagging under the weight of your throws? Then come see us!

Help us bring the sprit of Louisiana to the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., next month! Drop off your beads at the State Library, 701 N. Fourth St., Baton Rouge, during our walk-in hours, Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Billy Nungesser Lt. Governor of Louisiana | Visit Baton Rouge | Downtown Development District | East Baton Rouge Parish Library | West Baton Rouge Library | Iberville Parish Library | Ascension Parish Library | Livingston Parish Library West Feliciana Parish Library | Audubon Regional Library

We aren't the only ones with a new website!

We've moved! Check out our new home: https://library.la.gov/

Learn about some of the new features here: https://bit.ly/3WsXrKc

Billy Nungesser Lt. Governor of Louisiana

A reminder: The Louisiana Book Festival wants you!

If you have book-related products or services you would like to showcase to thousands of festival attendees, then join us!

Registration continues now! Sign up today: https://bit.ly/4faVRnQ

ICYMI: We've updated our website! Relive some of the best fest moments, get a sneak peek at who's set to appear, sign up to volunteer and more.

Check it out today! https://louisianabookfestival.org/

Congratulations to our friends at Cavalier House Books!

The owners of a popular Denham Springs bookstore have plans to open a second location

Registration is now open! Sign up today!

The Louisiana Book Festival wants you! If you have book-related products or services you would like to showcase to thousands of festival attendees, then join us! Details here: https://bit.ly/4faVRnQ

Visit Baton Rouge | Explore Louisiana | Billy Nungesser Lt. Governor of Louisiana

In this recording from the 2023 Louisiana Book Festival, Hayley Arceneaux, who wrote "Wild Ride: From Childhood Cancer to Orbiting the Earth," shares her story of being the youngest American to ever orbit the Earth and shows us that when we face our fears with hope and faith, the extraordinary is possible.

Wild Ride: From Childhood Cancer to Orbiting the Earth Cancer Survivor Hayley Arceneaux shares her story of being the youngest American to ever orbit the Earth and shows us all that when we face our fears with ho...

Charles Reagan Wilson, the "Dean of Southern Culture," and moderator James G. Thomas Jr. discuss Wilson's newest book, "The Southern Way of Life: Meanings of Culture and Civilization in the American South" during the 2023 Louisiana Book Festival.

The Dean of Southern Culture on the Southern Way of Life The "Dean of Southern Culture" Charles Reagan Wilson and moderator James G. Thomas Jr. discuss Wilson's newest book, THE SOUTHERN WAY OF LIFE: MEANINGS OF CU...

The age-old dream of venturing forth into the cosmos and perhaps even colonizing distant worlds may one day become a reality. Les Johnson reveals how in this talk he gave at the 2023 Louisiana Book Festival.

A Traveler's Guide to the Stars with Les Johnson With known exoplanets now numbering in the thousands and initiatives like 100 Year Starship and Breakthrough Starshot advancing the idea of interstellar trav...

Can't get enough of the Louisiana Book Festival? Neither can we!

That's why we're back with another look back at last year's fest with this conversation in which Rodney Barnes chats about his life and career with Brannon Costello.

A Conversation with Rodney Barnes Rodney Barnes chats about his life and career with Brannon Costello. Rodney Barnes is the award-winning writer/producer of HBO’s Winning TIme: The Rise of th...

We continue our look back at some of the best of last year’s fest with this panel discussion about grit lit as a genre.

Everybody Has a South: Grit Lit Authors Frank Bill, Daren Dean, and Meagan Lucas discuss Grit Lit as a genre and how their works fit into it.

The Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana is proud to announce the titles that will represent our state during the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 24.

Maurice Carlos Ruffin's “The American Daughters” is our Great Reads for Adults book, while “I Am Ruby Bridges,” written by the civil rights icon, is the Great Reads for Kids selection.

Centers for the Book in all 50 states and six U.S. territories select books, called Great Reads, to be featured in the National Book Festival’s Roadmap to Reading -- a vast space at the festival where every center has a table to promote their selections and other aspects of their state’s or territory’s unique literary heritage. Learn more about the National Book Festival and other Great Reads here: https://bit.ly/3JVTFCa

You can't ever have too much of a good thing, and that's why we're sharing some of our favorite moments from the 2023 Louisiana Book Festival.

This program features a guest appearance by Maurice Carlos Ruffin.

Flash Fiction America with John Dufresne It has been more than thirty years since the term “flash fiction” was first coined, perfectly describing the power in the brevity of these types of stories, ...

We're preparing the 20th Louisiana Book Festival, scheduled for this fall, but we wanted to share some of our favorite moments from past fests in the meantime.

Here, 2023 Louisiana Writer Award recipient Maurice Carlos Ruffin discusses his writing, career, and favorite music with his pal Tad Bartlett.

A Conversation with Maurice Carlos Ruffin 2023 Louisiana Writer Award recipient Maurice Carlos Ruffin discusses his writing, his career, and his favorite music with his pal Tad Bartlett.

As we prepare for the 20th Louisiana Book Festival this fall, we wanted to share some moments from past fests.

Here is last year's Louisiana Writer Award Ceremony featuring Maurice Carlos Ruffin. Enjoy!

2023 Louisiana Writer Award Ceremony On October 28, 2023, the 24th Louisiana Writer Award was presented to Maurice Carlos Ruffin.The award is given annually by the Louisiana Center for the Book ...

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Our 2024 National Poetry Month celebration is now posted on our YouTube channel for your viewing pleasure.

Just Listen to Yourself: The Louisiana Poet Laureate Presents Louisiana Poets 2024 On April 11, 2024, in celebration of National Poetry Month the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana welcomed Louisiana Poet Laurea...

We had a wonderful time at the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities Bright Lights Awards dinner. Among the awards presented every year is the Light Up for Literacy Award, presented in partnership with the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana. This year, the recipient was Jane Wolfe.

Through her Eat and Read at Melba’s program, Jane has given away more than 20,000 books to her customers. She’s also hosted book readings, discussions, and book signings at Melba's Old School Po Boys. And let’s not forget about her support of the Louisiana Book Festival as a sponsor.

Congratulations, Jane!

A reminder about today's event. We hope to see you there!

🗓️ Mark your calendars! Our annual celebration of National Poetry Month will happen soon! Join us at the State Library of Louisiana at noon on Thursday, April 11.

Alison Pelegrin | The Southern Review | Deep South Magazine | Country Roads Magazine | Mona Lisa Saloy, Author & Folklorist | Billy Nungesser Lt. Governor of Louisiana | LSU Creative Writing | Southeastern Louisiana University | Cavalier House Books | Capitol Park Museum

🗓️ Mark your calendars! Our annual celebration of National Poetry Month will happen soon! Join us at the State Library of Louisiana at noon on Thursday, April 11.

Alison Pelegrin | The Southern Review | Deep South Magazine | Country Roads Magazine | Mona Lisa Saloy, Author & Folklorist | Billy Nungesser Lt. Governor of Louisiana | LSU Creative Writing | Southeastern Louisiana University | Cavalier House Books | Capitol Park Museum

We were sad to learn of the death of Louis Gossett Jr., who took part in the 2013 Louisiana Book Festival. Everyone who met him seemed to remember him the same way: a very nice person. He was more than gracious in taking the time to speak to attendees and pose for pictures. Gossett died March 29. He was 87.

BREAKING NEWS: We are thrilled to announce that Louisiana native David Kirby will receive the 25th Louisiana Writer Award! Click here to learn more about David and his wonderful work: https://bit.ly/4cE5LNm

Help us spread the news by liking and sharing this post!

Florida State University | WFSU Public Media | Cavalier House Books

This photo of Clementine Hunter at Melrose Plantation in Natchitoches, believed to have been taken by a State Library employee in the 1960s, is housed in our Louisiana Collection. It’s about to be seen by countless people.

We recently granted permission for it to be used to promote an exhibit on the accomplishments of Black artists and artisans at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. It will also be used by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C., in an upcoming exhibition that will feature 34 female artists who used material such as cotton, wool, polyester, and silk to create their art.

You can search for more photos like this in our collection: https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/state

Billy Nungesser Lt. Governor of Louisiana

Check out this great feature on Cavalier House Books, our amazing book seller, and learn how they remain competitive in a world full of big-box and digital rivals.

Denham Springs' Cavalier House Books takes on the big guns Running a bookstore isn't an easy way to make a living. Yet, in an age where the survival of independent bookstores can be a dicey proposition, one little Denham Springs

WATCH NOW! Our 2024 Women's History program, "Kate Chopin's Secret Life and Public Notoriety" is available for viewing.

Who was Kate Chopin and what led her to write "The Awakening," her controversial novel published in 1899? These questions will be answered during this fascinating virtual presentation.

Kate Chopin's Secret Life and Public Notoriety with Dr Emily Toth It was 125 years ago when Kate Chopin's THE AWAKENING hit shelves – and faced immediate backlash.Called "poison" by The St. Louis Republic and "trite and sor...

Mark your calendars! Our 2024 Women's History program, "Kate Chopin's Secret Life and Public Notoriety," debuts Monday, March 18.

Who was Kate Chopin and what led her to write "The Awakening," her controversial novel published in 1899? These questions will be answered during this virtual presentation.

Learn more about the program and Dr. Emily Toth here: https://bit.ly/3ViSkw1

LIVE NOW!

A reminder in case you missed it, Mona Lisa Saloy, Author & Folklorist has this year's Black History Month presentation with a fascinating look at New Orleans' 7th Ward and its contributions to the culture of the city and state.

Some History of the 7th Ward with Mona Lisa Saloy Mona Lisa Saloy talks about the history of the 7th Ward in New Orleans and reads a few of her poems that focuses on Black Creole Culture.