Save The Savannah Children’s Book Festival
An annual fall tradition will not happen this year: The Savannah Children’s Book Festival.
For 14 years, the Savannah Children’s Book Festival has brought talented childrens’ authors to Forsyth Park – Mo Willems, Kwame Alexander, Kate DiCamillo, Lois Lowry, Carmen Agra Deedy, Jane O’Connor, Christopher Paul Curtis, Marc Brown, Tad Hills, Judy Schachner, Rosemary Wells, Victoria Kann & more – to inspire and ignite young readers and writers.
But this year, the beloved and well-attended festival is not happening due to lack of funding.
“Live Oak Public Libraries (LOPL) will not present Savannah Children’s Book Festival (SCBF) in 2018 because grant funding was not available from the primary sources that supported SCBF in prior years,” said Sarah Collier, Communications Coordinator at Live Oak Public Libraries.
That primary source of funding was a $85,000 grant from the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs.
Why wasn’t the grant funded?
“Since the City of Savannah modified their funding priorities and processes and no longer funds one-day festivals, such as Savannah Children’s Book Festival, LOPL did not apply for the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs grant,” Collier said.
SouthernMamas.com wants to the see this festival that promotes literacy, creativity and storytelling return in 2019. We started a Save The Children’s Book Festival Facebook group where supporters of the festival can stay informed about its future. Join it here.
Organizers have not ruled out a return of the festival in 2019, pending funding. LOPL staff will plan next year’s budget in early 2019 and the future of the festival depends on what types of funding options are available for hosting the festival.
Collier said “LOPL will be planning next year’s budget in early 2019 and we will be reviewing funding options for all library services and special events, including children’s author & book functions.”
We hope one of those funded special events will be the one-day Savannah Children’s Book Festival in Forsyth Park in November 2019.
Please make your voices heard and show your support for bringing back The Savannah Children’s Book Festival in 2019 by contacting the following via email.
Live Oak Public Libraries: communications@liveoakpl.org
Savannah Mayor Eddie DeLoach: edeloach@savannahga.gov
City Manager Rob Hernandez: rhernandez@savannahga.gov
Alderman Carolyn Bell: cbell@savannahga.gov
Alderman Brian Foster: bfoster@savannahga.gov
Alderman Van Johnson: AldermanJohnson1@aol.com
Alderman Bill Durrence: bdurrence01@savannahga.gov
Alderman John Hall: jhall@savannahga.gov
Alderman Julian Miller: miller03@savannahga.gov
Alderman Dr. Estella Edwards Shabazz: eshabazz@savannahga.gov
Alderman Tony Thomas: tthomas@savannahga.gov