UMBC BookFest ’26

Join us on Tuesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 23 for UMBC BookFest ’26, a celebration of writers, readers, makers, and advocates.

BookMarkIt — Tuesday, April 21, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Library Plaza
Enjoy a book arts display, letterpress printing, zinemaking and zine swaps, a book drive supporting the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, the Baltimore County Bookmobile, bookish giveaways, and more!

• Print on one of three letterpress printers, stitch your own pamphlet, create and swap zines, and browse a book arts display
• Pop inside the Baltimore County Bookmobile
• Buy or trade used books or select a wrapped “mystery read”
• Chat with representatives from the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled and Citizens for Maryland Libraries
• Give to Friends of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
• Grab BookFest-themed swag and original Hilltop Print Shop prints

One Maryland, One Book — Tuesday, April 21, 5–6:30 p.m. — 312 University Center
In collaboration with Maryland Humanities’ One Maryland, One Book program, BookFest will welcome Lawrence Burney, the author of the 2026 OMOB selection No Sense in Wishing. Burney will be in conversation with writer Chris Terry (assistant professor of English) about his essay collection. This event is co-sponsored by Maryland Humanities and the Dresher Center for the Humanities. Refreshments will be served.

Freedom to Read: Libraries and Our Democracy — Thursday, April 23, 5–6:30 p.m. — Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery
Maryland’s Freedom to Read Act, passed in 2024, ensures that “library materials and resources remain accessible to the public and cannot be removed solely because someone disagrees with their viewpoint alone.” Book challenges and censorship efforts are still on the rise across our state and nation. What can we do to protect the right to read and to ensure access to our nation’s library services? We’ll hear from:

• Morgan Miller, Maryland State Librarian
• Stacey Nunn, Library Media Specialist, Southwest Academy Magnet School for Science and Engineering and finalist for School Library Journal’s School Librarian of the Year
• Christine Feldmann, Anne Arundel County Public Library
• Andrea Lewis, President of Citizens for Maryland Libraries

This event is co-sponsored by the Maryland State Library Agency. Refreshments will be served.

For complete information about all the events, please visit the UMBC BookFest ’26 site.

All events are free and open to the public.