Wednesday, September 3, 2025

SPECIAL EVENTS

Library Event "Free Books"
5:00 pm - 6:25 pm
Carondelet Ballroom, 3rd Floor
Hostesses:  Kelli Stanley and Heather Graham

"Free Books!" are back!!  Its purpose is to benefit the New Orleans Public Library system and to support the American Library Association.

The audience will also be coming home with free books!

Libraries are the front line for freedom to read and the freedom to write. We want people to enjoy themselves in a positive, upbeat fashion, so we're encouraging everyone (participants and audience) to engage in some cosplay and come as a favorite book character (keeping in mind the Bouchercon Code of Conduct)!

Kelli Stanley and LOC Chair, Heather Graham will emcee the event, which will feature three sections and a mixer/book-signing. First, an introduction to the ALA initiative and the purpose of "Free Books!", followed by a librarian panel hosted by author (and former librarian) Jeff Ayers, featuring attending librarians. Next will be short readings by ten authors from their favorite or most influential children's/young adult books. Afterward, each author-reader is giving away 50 copies of one of their books, so line up at the signing tables because it’s first come first serve on the free books!

The price of admission? Okay, we're not really charging admission, but we would love it if you could please bring a children's/young adult book to donate to the New Orleans Public Library. The library is grateful for your participation. If you had a favorite read growing up, this is your chance to give that gift to a child in New Orleans and surrounding areas.