Literary Festival to Return to UNC in 2009

A festival to celebrate literary culture and heritage will take place on the UNC campus in 2009. The University Library will organize the event, a follow-up to similar festivals at UNC in 1998 and 2002, North Carolina State University in 2004, and Duke University in 2006.

A recent commitment of support from UNC Chancellor James Moeser will provide a good financial foundation for the 2009 festival, said University Librarian Sarah C. Michalak. The UNC, Duke, NCSU, and North Carolina Central University libraries had previously considered restructuring the festival as a jointly sponsored literary series with events throughout the year.

"We and the University heard from so many people about the importance to them and to the region of this festival," said Michalak. "We're delighted that the chancellor has been able to respond in this way. We look forward to working with the community in planning an outstanding event in 2009 and also in thinking about how to make this a sustainable program into the future."

A date and planning committee for the festival will be announced in early 2008.