PLEASANT GROVE -- The Pleasant Grove Library's book festival, full of books and more books, was an enjoyable Friday evening for guests and authors to get acquainted, and for families to find just the right books to add to their own bookshelves.

Sponsored by the library board and author/volunteer Julie Coulter Bellon, the event's goal was to support books, reading and the library. "I'm glad to see people here supporting literacy in our community and supporting the library," Bellon said.

Fifteen authors from throughout Utah came to the festival, discussing their books and their writing craft. Guest authors included J. Scott Savage, Rachel Nunes, Tristi Pinkston, GG Vandagriff, and H.B. Moore.

Provident Books and Humdinger Toys had popular displays filled with dozens of educational and fun titles. A large Scholastic Book Fair filled the theater, with hundreds of books available for children of all ages. Peaceful music, played by Pleasant Grove High School cellist Amanda Beagles, added to the festival's delightful ambience. Door prizes -- books and book-related items -- were given away every half hour.

While helping the public to enjoy meeting some of their favorite local authors, the book festival also will bring needed funds to the library.

"We've been holding the book fair and book festival to raise funds during these tough times for the library," said Roselle Harney, library board member. "Our overall goal is to eventually get a new, larger library to meet our community needs -- to have more community access rooms, to hold more books," she said.

The board's immediate goal is to provide the library with an electronic marquee that can be easily programmed to display the variety of community events that the library hosts. The library hosts a variety of events for all ages, including toddler and preschool story times; book discussion groups for girls, teens and adults; activity days; guest speakers and forums; and the highly popular summer reading program.

For its size, the Pleasant Grove Library is a very active library, with a large number of patrons visiting the library, and a high circulation rate of books and library materials.

"Our Pleasant Grove citizens are loyal library users," Harney said.