On Friday, April 29, the Library helped kick off the second annual YALLWEST Young Adult Book Festival with a preview night event called Fierce Friday. The event featured a dozen top authors meeting their fans, signing books and taking photos.  The event was produced in collaboration with Fierce Reads, Macmillan Books’ young adult brand, and featured best sellers like Rainbow Rowell, Kami Garcia, Leigh Bardugo and David Levithan. Fans also had the opportunity to sing karaoke songs with authors, pose with their friends in a photo booth, indulge their creative side with coloring and crafts, and snack on food truck treats.

The event activated and utilized some of the best features that the Main Library space has to offer and was staffed by library employees and teen council volunteers. Fierce Friday drew an estimated 700 people, from as far away as Ireland and Canada, and is helping to fulfill the library’s mission to serve as a Community Connector and Vibrant Learning Center and support the City’s Learn & Thrive focus area.