Topeka is preparing to host its next Kansas Book Festival on Sept. 15 at the Kansas History Museum between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The Kansas Book Festival is designed as a way to celebrate the best of Kansas literature and a way to recycle books into places in need of a collection.

The festival is funded entirely through donations and grants to keep the festival free and open to the public.  Donations of new and used books during the past six weeks will be distributed to local libraries and non-profit associations in need.  A long list of Kansas authors will be presenting their works, having meet-the-author sessions, panel discussions, book signings and sales.  Awards will be presented to the winners of the 2012 Kansas Book Festival Writing Contest as well, showcasing some of Kansas’s most talented high school writers.  The event will also feature a special tent with activities and projects just for children to keep the festival entertaining for all ages.

Mary Brownback states “In conjunction with my husband’s initiative to improve the percentage of fourth-grade students reading at or above grade level, I have assembled a team to plan a book festival for the state of Kansas. We believe we’ve created an event that, while appealing to both adults and children, will promote literacy and encourage a life-long love of reading by bringing authors, publishers and illustrators together with the people of Kansas.”  For a full list of authors, contest winners, directions, and other information visit www.kansasbookfestival.com.