Original reporting by Smitha Bondade. Read by Emily Frost.
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Listen to an audio story by Annenberg Radio News story:
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For 10 years, the Festival of Books was held on UCLA’s campus in Westwood. Moving it to USC brings it closer to the city’s center and gives thousands of people a fresh look at South Los Angeles.
Beverly Kenworthy of the LA Chamber of Commerce says attendees will be surprised by how much the area has changed.
“The improvements and all the new construction and the new buildings, the new offerings for food and everything has been tremendous,” Kenworthy said. “It’s going to be positive not just for the businesses but for USC as well.
But some residents don’t think it will mean much for the local community. Clemente Franco at the South Central Neighborhood Council thinks lower-income and Latino families of the area are being excluded from the event.
“I think USC and the LA Times have done a poor job of making it accessible to get those folks involved,” Franco said. “And I don’t think USC is very inviting, although I think they give the appearance that they are, but I just don’t think they are.”
USC’s President Max Nikias expects a crowd of 150,000 to attend.
I’m not sure why the reporter and Franco feels that way. There are free shuttles for the local neighborhoods and there is a book drive for the local schools.
http://www.universityparkfamily.com/profiles/blogs/free-shuttles-to-the-la-times
I just attended the Los Angeles Times Book Festival at USC and it was wonderful. My teenagers had fun. The venue is beautiful. Today was a sunny day out doors wandering through booths, live music, poetry readings, free goodies, free books and more. I witnessed many multi-cultural families. Everyone seemed upbeat. The location serves more of Los Angeles, as it is central.
Only downsides: 1. if anyone finds my daughter’s iphone she left in a booth let me know and 2. Freeway exit at Exposition was very backed up.
Caroline Gerardo Author