Book festival donates $150,000 to groups

By Jamar Younger, Arizona Daily Star / October 2, 2011

The Tucson Festival of Books continued its contribution to local literacy causes by donating $150,000 to various organizations.

Bill Viner, the festival chairman, presented the money Saturday during the Rally for Literacy at Jacome Plaza outside the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave., downtown.

The money will go to groups including the Literacy for Life Coalition and Reading Seed, which were involved in Saturday's rally, Viner said.

The University of Arizona BookStores will also receive money from the donation, he said.

The festival has donated about $500,000 since it began three years ago.

Viner also provided updates on the festival, which will take place March 10-11 at the UA. The event will feature several big-name authors including Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana, John Sandford, Lisa See and T.C. Boyle.

The Science Pavilion will be expanded with more activities, and the UA mirror and tree-ring labs will offer tours, Viner said.