READING, Pa. – Book lovers, authors, and artisans will come together Saturday for the first-ever Story Lane: Book Fair and Market at the Reading Public Library.

The event, presented by the Reading Public Library and Barrio Alegría, will celebrate local literature with workshops, author panels, activities for readers of all ages and an outdoor evening market.

“This place will be littered with authors,” said Anthony Orozco, director of operations for Barrio Alegría, the organization behind the event.

Orozco said Story Lane was created from the ideas of people who wanted to celebrate local writers and literature.

“This is not something where we add the community later,” Orozco said. “This started with the dreams of people who wanted to celebrate local literature. To see that come to fruition, I just feel blessed to be a part of it.”

The event will offer programming throughout the library for adults, teens, and children.

Adults will have an opportunity to hear from local authors and participate in discussions designed to help aspiring writers learn more about publishing their work.

Upstairs, teens will have their own section, including a writing workshop focused on poetry and storytelling. Younger readers will have access to a children’s section featuring story time with a children’s author.

The programming will continue outside at 4 p.m., when the library’s parking lot transforms into an evening market featuring about 20 local artisans and authors.

The market will also include a mobile coffee bar, a Mexican food truck and an American food truck.

At 4 p.m., nationally renowned author, poet and performer Javier Avila is scheduled to take the main stage inside the library.

For Orozco, however, the goal extends beyond a single day.

“I hope that people celebrate literature more than once a year, and I hope that this serves as inspiration,” Orozco said.

“I hope that people see this and go, you know what? I could do this in my community. I could do this in my neighborhood. We should be celebrating literacy and literature all the time,” he added.

Story Lane Book Fair and Market will take place from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Reading Public Library.