Book Lovers Gather for the 15th Library of Congress National Book Festival (photos)

Book lovers of all ages rubbed shoulders with 175 prominent authors, poets and illustrators at the 15th Library of Congress National Book Festival Sept. 5 in Washington D.C. David McCullough, Jane Smiley, Al Roker, Tom Brokaw, E.O. Wilson, Kate DiCamillo and Buzz Aldrin were among the featured speakers. The year also marked the 200th anniversary of the library’s acquisition of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library and the festival used a quote from Jefferson himself—“I cannot live without books”—as its theme. For the second year in a row, the festival took place indoors at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, away from its former home on the National Mall and its newly installed watering system.

View our photos from the National Book Festival by clicking on the photo icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet)