UCLA hosts sixth-annual event with L.A. Times

By Marcelle Richards
Daily Bruin Senior Staff

UCLA’s campus will transform into the setting for the
sixth annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books this weekend,
where retailers and book browsers alike will capitalize on the
prospect of a good book hunt.

“In this age of the Internet, it’s necessary to see
some works that are not online,” said Kristina Cutura, a
third-year psychology student. “It gives you more of a sense
of being human.”

More than 250 exhibitors and 100,000 participants are expected
at the two-day event, and approximately 150 students will be
volunteering with tasks such as children’s face-painting.

The L.A. Times is working in conjunction with UCLA to host the
event. While the Times determines the content of the festival
““ including which authors are invited to speak ““ the
university plays more of a coordinating role, according to David
Lowenstein, director of the Central Ticket Office. The UCLA Events
Office will oversee the setup, operations and cleanup of the
festival.

In addition to the authors, publishers and other vendors brought
in by the L.A. Times, UCLA will also occupy several booths at the
festival.

This year, the university hopes to reach out to the community by
providing resources for K-12 teachers and parents, according to
Assistant Chancellor Antoinette Mongelli. It’s the first time
in the festival’s history that UCLA has added a specific
theme to it ““ something organizers said they hope to
continue. A K-12 outreach booth will be in Royce Quad with
representatives from several on-campus groups, including the Fowler
Museum, Gluck Music Outreach program and sports camps.

The festival serves as a part of the “UCLA in L.A.
Initiative,” which works to build UCLA’s community
involvement.

The event will be free to the public. Some events, however,
require attendees to procure tickets. Exhibitor fees and
sponsorship make the event financially feasible, said L.A. Times
media liaison David Garcia.

“All of our events are self-supporting,” he
said.

Associated Students of UCLA merchandise will be displayed at no
cost at designated booths in return for the use of UCLA facilities.
ASUCLA’s BookZone will also have a booth to showcase an
abbreviated selection of books and faculty authors.

“It tends to be a very successful week for
everyone,” said BookZone Manager Guy Adams. “This year,
as we have done in the past, all the books we feature are going to
be 20 percent off.”

Despite additional exposure to the general public,
BookZone’s profits will not compare to fall sales, said
Patricia Eastman, ASUCLA executive director of services and
enterprises.

Part of ASUCLA’s contributions are manifested in “a
huge food concession operation,” according to Eastman.

After expenses and commission to UCLA are taken out of the
equation, she estimates the concessions will produce
$15,000-$20,000 in profits.

“We don’t do it as a big opportunity for
income,” she said. “We do it to represent UCLA and
ASUCLA to the public.”

With reports from Barbara Ortutay, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.