For Immediate Release
September 28, 2009
Contacts:
Roberta Longworth 703-324-8300

Library Foundation presented Fairfax Prize to E.L. Doctorow

Fairfax, VA –E. L. Doctorow was the recipient of the 2009 Fairfax Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Literary Arts.  This award was funded by the Fairfax Library Foundation, at the 11th annual Fall for the Book literary festival.  On Thursday, September 24, Fairfax Library Foundation Chair, Alvah Beander, presented the award in the Concert Hall of George Mason University’s Center for the Arts.

This award recognized Doctorow as an award-winning novelist including the National Book Critics Circle Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award for “The March”.  At the free author presentation the author read from his forthcoming novel, “Homer & Langley.”

“We are pleased and honored to present E.L. Doctorow with this award”, said Beander. “The Fairfax Prize celebrates this talented author whose works have contributed significantly to American or international culture.  As an acclaimed and renowned author, Mr. Doctorow is worthy of the Library Foundation’s highest recognition.”

E.L. Doctorow was joined by novelist, poet and filmmaker, Sherman Alexie, and many other notable authors at the festival, which was cosponsored by generous support from the Fairfax Library Foundation, the Fairfax County Public Library, George Mason University, NOVEC, Barnes & Noble, the Friends of the George Mason Regional Library, Dominion, ExxonMobil, Sandy Spring Bank, Baker & Taylor and others. The annual festival was based at the Fairfax campus of George Mason University and at select locations throughout the region from September 21 – September 26. 

Fairfax County Public Library Foundation, Inc., doing business as Fairfax Library Foundation, is a private, nonprofit corporation committed to providing supplementary support to the Fairfax County Public Library. The Foundation, while reinforcing the need for continued and increased public support for the library, serves as a catalyst for attracting private funding from individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations to enhance library services for our community.