Award winning and bestselling authors opened the 2009 National Book Festival talking about the power and function of books and reading in a democratic and culturally diverse society. The festival was organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress with President and Mrs. Obama as honorary chairs. Librarian of Congress James Billington made the opening and closing remarks.

This opening gala was held at the Library of Congress on Friday, September 25, 2009, the evening before the National Book Festival on the National Mall. The event date of the program record is not correct.