Read Freely Fest
Richland Library
Innovation Synopsis
To foster literary interest and increase public humanities programming in our community, Richland Library created a free book festival, Read Freely Fest: Where Stories Find Good Company. Read Freely Fest took place on March 28-30, 2025, at the Library’s Main location in downtown Columbia, SC, and offered an immersive experience for book lovers of all ages, uniting a diverse array of authors, panelists, performers, and vendors. Over 3,500 attendees and 90 authors and performers, such as DéLana Dameron, Patti Callahan Henry, Brendan Slocumb, Mike Curato, and Abbot Kahler, shared their insights and stories in engaging discussions and book signings. Participating authors explored themes of systematic racism, the civil rights movement, and the experiences of marginalized populations. Read Freely Fest creates access to the library and its services. It includes programs that highlight intellectual freedom—a hallmark that sets us apart from other festivals, including those run by libraries.
Challenge/Opportunity
Before 2025, Columbia had not hosted a book festival since Deckle Edge (2018) and SC Humanities’ SC Book Festival (1997-2016). The SC Book Festival concluded after 19 years of operation when SC Humanities shifted its focus to support smaller festivals across the state.
With the establishment of All Good Books, Columbia’s only independent bookstore, and the increased support for author events, as well as unique collaborations spurred by Richland Library, it was a prime opportunity to establish a successful, accessible book festival for Columbia’s literary community.
The Read Freely Fest brings authors and readers together to celebrate literature and literacy. The festival provides programming and entertainment for all ages and backgrounds. Richland Library created Read Freely Fest to bring a full-scale literary event to the Midlands of SC, making it free and accessible so that the entire community can interact with authors, vendors, artists, and more.
Key Elements of Innovation
Structure:
• Friday, 3/28 – Kick-off party for donors and authors, and hosted Over Due, an after-hours library event featuring music, maker activities, and a graphic novel author panel.
• Saturday and Sunday, 3/29-30 – Presented over 49 author talks, panels, live music, family programs, a used book sale, vendors, an indie author area, and more.
Goals:
• Create a signature literary event that is free for all
• Expand author engagement and educational opportunities for all
Partners: All Good Books, SC Humanities, Hub City Press, and The Pat Conroy Literary Center.
2025 marked the inaugural year of Read Freely Fest, drawing 3,500 people to the event, which is our most notable accomplishment. Our programming team created a diverse festival that appealed to a broad range of people. Our marketing team developed a comprehensive communications and promotions plan that targeted book lovers across SC and beyond. Over 40% of our audience was from outside of Richland County.
Achieved Outcomes
Read Freely Fest (RFF) was a success! Surveys measured impact and gathered feedback.
- 3,500 Attendees
- 90 Authors & Performers
- 21 Vendors
- 44 Sessions
- 168 Volunteers
- 82% attendees would recommend attending RFF to their friends
- Participants attended to meet authors, discover new books, and be entertained
- Participants noted they loved the diversity of authors and genres
RFF created new partner opportunities: Hub City Press, Pat Conroy Literary Center, SC Academy of Authors, and the SC Writers Alliance. New media partners: Post & Courier and SCETV Radio.
Beyond being a free festival, RFF introduces people to authors and their work, and brings more people into the library to better understand our services. RFF included an intellectual freedom panel, featured a headliner whose book was banned in SC, and a DAYLO banned book reading. RFF creates better access, and the undercurrent of intellectual freedom is a hallmark that sets us apart from other festivals, including those run by libraries.
