Hillsborough Library Advisory Board Presents First-Ever Children's Book Festival

For the first time ever, more than 20 authors and illustrators of books for children through young adults will appear at the Hillsborough Public Library for a Children's Book Festival on Saturday, May 17th, from 10 AM to 3 PM.  The event was created and sponsored by the Library Advisory Board to provide an opportunity for kids to meet the people who write and illustrate the books they love. 

Library Advisory Board President Judy Haas stated that "we are very excited about bringing authors closer to their readers.  There will be readings and other presentations by our authors, and books will be available for sale and signing.  Discounts will be given to patrons with valid library cards. Proceeds from the book sales will support activities and improvements at our Library which is the centerpiece of our community." 

The Hillsborough Public Library, a branch of the Somerset County Library System, is located in the Municipal Complex at 379 South Branch Road.  The Children's Book Festival will take place in the Program Room. 

Among the authors scheduled to appear are: Monica Wellington, Artie Bennett, Ana Lomba, and Kit Grindstaff. Presentations will take place every twenty minutes.  Admission is free.

Licia Gaber Baylis, Coordinator of the Book Festival for the Advisory Board, attended book fairs in other towns and was very motivated to bring one to Hillsborough.  "With all of the children we have in Hillsborough and our neighboring towns, we wanted to include all reading levels and make it a spectacular event, accessible to everyone.  A personal relationship between children and authors is very special -- our youths will be able to talk to authors, hear them read, learn about the creative process, and even skip home happily with a book personally autographed just for them. Parents and grandparents will enjoy this Festival as well. We look forward to hosting this event at the Hillsborough library; it will be wonderful to see the interaction of the authors with the children and teens."

Members of the Library Advisory Board hope that this will become an annual event in Hillsborough. “With Read Across America celebrations in March and National Library Week celebrations in April, we wanted to keep the fun going in May!” said Ms. Gaber Baylis.

For more information on the Children’s Book Festival, please visit the website at http://somerset.lib.nj.us/hilbookfest.html, find out more via Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/hlbookfestival, email hlbookfestival@gmail.com, or call the Library at 908-369-2200.