Find information about what's happening at this year's festival here.
Sign ups for the 2026 Festival of Books is closed. It may reopen if there are enough cancellations. You can check back here or enter your information on this form to be notified.
(Walk-ins are welcome on the day of the event - Everybody's Kitchen (USC dining hall off McCarthy Quad)
"This was my first year volunteering and I worked the graffiti wall because it looked like it needed volunteers. And I had a BLAST asking people about what they were reading! Can’t wait to do it again next year!" - Ariana, '25 First-time Volunteer
"We were so happy to spend the weekend helping out, along with our son Augustine. I think he wasn’t the only one who felt inspired — I was too! It was such a gift to be immersed in the world of authors and gain deeper insight into their thinking and personalities. I feel both intellectually inspired and creatively recharged! Thank you for being in charge again! See you next year!!" - Christina, 2nd year volunteer
Online registration will be active January 9 - April 10*
*Sign ups may close early if shifts are filled before April 10.
The Festival of Books began in 1996 with a simple goal: Bring together the people who create books and the people who love to read them. The Festival was an immediate success and has become Southern California's major literary event.
The Festival is attended by over 150,000 people each year and features more than a hundred ticketed author events, children’s storytelling, poetry readings, book signings and more than 400 exhibitor booths. The Festival’s success has been due in part to the generous participation of volunteers who welcomed attendees, assisted with registration, staffed author events, supervised book signings and much more.
Roles include:
Bookworms/Area Captains - lead other volunteers in an area/panel room
Information Booth - help answer questions
Lines & Tickets - assist guests waiting for panel rooms/events
Room Ushers - assist guests in getting in an out of panel rooms/events
Crossword puzzle/What are you reading? Walls - manage guests solving giant crossword puzzles or "graffiti walls"
Author Escort - escort authors/panelists to and from their speaking engagements
Book Signings - help manage lines at signing areas
de Los - help our guests engage in a variety of activities in our spanish-centered area
Registration - help check in volunteers (shifts are slightly different for this role)
Welcome to the hub for all information related to volunteering for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. We're so grateful to you for giving your time to this time-honored event celebrating all things books! It couldn't happen without you!
*Confirmations are sent every few days. Please email latfobvolunteers@gmail.com if you do not receive a confirmation within one week of signing up.
**Bookmark this page for easy access to news and information about volunteering for the event.
Time Commitment: Volunteers sign up for one or more 3-4 hour shifts on one or both days.
Benefits: Volunteers will receive free parking, shuttle service from the parking lot and lunch.
Required Attire:
We will provide t-shirts for volunteers to wear and keep after the event.
Bottoms should be khaki, gray, black, or denim* pants, shorts or leggings.
*Denim should have no (or minimal) holes.
Comfortable shoes
Hats and sunscreen are recommended.
Water bottles: USC in its commitment to sustainability has asked that we not distribute single-use, plastic water bottles. Please bring a refillable water bottle.
