The Inaugural Books by the Banks: Cincinnati USA Book Festival

Start with six book-loving organizations. Recruit 150 enthusiastic volunteers. Bring in 90 noted authors. Mix them altogether with 1,300 book lovers. What does it all add up to? More than 1,500 avid readers sharing in a novel experience – the first ever Books by the Banks: Cincinnati USA Books Festival.

Held on November 3, 2007 at the Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati, the inaugural Books by the Banks set the groundwork to become an annual celebration. Organized by the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, University of Cincinnati Libraries, The Mercantile Library, CET, Cincinnati Magazine, and Borders Books, it was the joy of reading and books that brought them all together.

“UC Libraries was thrilled to be an organizing partner of the inaugural Books by the Banks,” said Victoria A. Montavon, Dean and University Librarian. “The festival’s mission of promoting the joy and reading of books is one that we as a library feel strongly about.”

Over 90 authors were available at the book festival to meet attendees and to sign copies of their books. Among the mix of local and regional authors were some from UC, including:

• Brock Clarke, Associate Professor of English and ComparativeLiterature, McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, author of An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England
• Kevin Grace, Head and University Archivist, Archives and RareBooks Library, author of Boxing in Cincinnati
• Michael Griffith, Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature,
  McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, author of Bibliophilia: A Novella and Stories
• Nathan Singer, Adjunct Instructor of English & Communication, Raymond Walters College, author of Chasing the Wolf
• Tom White, Head of the Monographs Department and Assistant Head of Technical Services Team for University Libraries, co-author, along with UC’s Kevin Grace, of Cincinnati Cemeteries: The Queen City Underground.

Seventeen author panels were held throughout the day, including: “Cincinnati Revealed,” featuring Arcadia Publishing authors of local history; “So, You Draw Cartoons for a Living,” showcasing some of the greatest cartoonists of their field – Craig Boldman, Jim Borgman, and Dave Coverly; and “The QC: African-American History in Cincinnati” with Gina Ruffin Moore.

In addition to engaging author interaction, families enjoyed activities in the Kids Corner where kids could write their own mini books, make bookmarks, and add wishes to the Dream Jar. But the simple hugs and high-fives from costumed characters like Curious George, Cat in the Hat, and Winnie the Pooh won the hearts of young readers.

In the sales area, where hundreds of books lined the tables, sales associates from Borders Books sold more than 1,300 books. Among those that sold out was Kaza Kingsley’s “tween” fantasy novel Erec Rex. Fans of Sharon Draper lined up by her table throughout the day to get their signed copies of November Blues and Copper Sun. Boone by Robert Morgan, also known for his bestseller Gap Creek, was a festival favorite, as was Ann Hagedorn’s Savage Peace.

Well received by readers of all ages, the book festival received rave reviews from authors and attendees who expressed interest in coming back for the next edition of Books by the Banks to be held in November of 2008. Updates for next year’s event will be posted on the Books by the Banks Web site at www.booksbythebanks.org.

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