Kick off summer with a festival of books, authors and reading on every floor of the Central Library. Listen to writers talk about their work, discover a new author and learn about the publishing process from people who've done it.
This year's featured authors are:
Laura Numeroff - The creator of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and dozens more books for children will read from her work and answer questions.
Joe R. Lansdale - Hear from the author of The Elephant of Surprise, the latest in the "Hap & Leonard" series.
Melanie Benjamin - The writer of historical fiction titles including The Swans of Fifth Avenue and The Aviator's Wife will discuss her latest book, Mistress of the Ritz.
Steven Davis and Bill Minutaglio - The authors of the PEN Center prize-winning book Dallas 1963 will talk about their new work, The Most Dangerous Man in America.
Melissa Lenhardt - The writer of the "Sawbones" trilogy will talk about her latest book, Heresy - definitely not your grandpa's kind of Western!
While you're at the library, readers of all ages can sign up for the Mayor's Summer Reading Challenge. In a book slump? Overwhelmed by the library's limitless possibilities of books? Good grief! Discover "What's Next" on your reading list with advice from your personal librarians.
Summer In The City is made possible thanks to the Freda Gail Stern Fund of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and Half Price Books.
You'll find a complete listing of all Summer In The City activities
With so much going on throughout the Library, it would be easy to overlook something! Here are a few things you won't want to miss:
Community Quilt Project - Learn about the making of a quilt from modern quilters, and add a square to our festival quilt. No sewing required – all ages can participate.
Tours - Get acquainted with the Siddie Joe Johnson Collection of rare and unique children's books or follow public historian Bob Reitz in a tour of the Central Library's many hidden treasures.
Children's authors - Members of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators will present their work, including read-alouds, demonstrations and displays. Participating authors include Karen Blumenthal, Nancy Churnin, Alan Elliot, Korey Scott, Patricia Vermillion, and many more.
Teen Rap Battle - Stay to see some of the best young rappers in Dallas.
Meanwhile, at the DMA - Catch the afternoon programming of The Inspired City track of the Dallas Festival of Books and Ideas taking place at the Dallas Museum of Art.
For information about other events as part of the Dallas Festival of Books & Ideas, visit www.thedallasfestival.com.
Book sale!
Come downstairs into the Book Cellar where you'll find the Friends of the Dallas Public Library's big Book Sale! Shop thousands of gently-used library materials at great prices, including CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, hardcover and paperback books, and vinyl. You'll find everything from recent best sellers to giant dictionaries, classic Hardy Boys to modern romance, and picture books galore. Vinyl lovers will find rare gems and obscure oddities. And don't forget the movies! Cash and cards accepted. No entrance fee or library card required - open to all.
Pro tip: Get a jump on Saturday's crowds! The Book Sale opens on Friday, May 31 at 11 a.m.
Keep us posted!
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Our social media team will be roving the Festival and posting photos and quotable moments as they happen. Share your pics and be sure to tag us: @dallaslibrary or #dallaspubliclibrary
Illustration courtesy of The Dallas Morning News
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