[Publib] Author Book Talks

[Dale McNeill]

You've gotten some great advice from the group, Ann.

In general, in car-oriented cities, I would always aim (when possible) for
exhibits or displays over programs.  Or, plan programs, including author
events, around and exhibit or display.

If you have the space, have a BIG event where people have choices of things
to do.  For example, at a library I once worked at we had 4 big programming
days per year.  One (just as an example) was "Shelter from the Storm".  It
involved exhibits related to architecture, children's programming (building
birdhouses), a local history program (on researching the history of
buildings), a grants program (how to find housing assistance for both low-
and medium- income people), a teen program on renting one's first apartment,
live music, food, and so forth.  For this, we could get real coverage in the
local media.  And with the "festival" atmosphere, people came for one thing
and stayed for others.

Marketing--especially by email--to small defined groups has been described
and I've found that it works.

Tell the author up front, as has been suggested, that no one may attend.

Have events on the public floor, not in the meeting room, when possible.

Try to get local media (radio is often a possibility) to interview the
author a few days before the event, as a _story_, not just an event at the
library.

I hope you'll let us know in a few months what you've decided to do and if
the ideas were successful!

Regards,

Dale


On 2/12/07, Ann Coppola <annc at pascolibraries.org> wrote:
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> I just had a program at my library where a local author came in to talk
> about her book and sell and sign copies of it.
>
> Not one person showed up.  This isn't the first time an author talk has
> bombed.
>
> I have flyers and posters up at the library.  I have it in the local
> papers.  Food doesn't seem to be enough of a draw either.  (the teens hover
> around and scavenge but they don't stay to hear the author).
>
> Why is it that author talks don't work?  I have another one for this
> Saturday.  I am dreading it...
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Ann
>
> --
> Ann Coppola
> Public Services Librarian & Program Coordinator
>
> Hudson Regional Library
> 8012 Library Road
> Hudson, FL 34667
> (727) 861-3040
>
> Books are just the beginning...
>
> "You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
> Eleanor Roosevelt
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