[Publib] Local authors, book signings...etc.

[Linda Ballard]

I've been following the thread about attracting audiences to author events
at libraries and thought some of you might have suggestions about a problem
we have.  Our Friends group sponsors 3-4 author evenings a year and they are
moderately well attended.  The chosen authors have written good books
published by reputable publishers.  However, we have ever-increasing
requests from other "local authors" to hold book signings and sell their
books here.  Many of the books are self-published works of interest
primarily to the author and his/her friends and relatives and I hesitate to
put the library's tacit stamp of approval on the quality of the work by
sponsoring a reading. The authors can, of course, rent our auditorium (it's
a very reasonable fee) and hold their own events, but we don't allow sales
except at library-sponsored events.  Although I may personally question the
literary merit of these works, the authors are usually nice, earnest folks
(and local area residents and patrons) and I hate to say a blanket "no" to
them.  Have any of you experimented with having an evening or weekend
afternoon "Local Authors' Day," where these authors could come, perhaps
speak for a few minutes apiece, and peddle their wares?  If so, how did it
work?

 

Thanks!

 

Linda V. Ballard

Director, University City Public Library

6701 Delmar Blvd.

University City MO 63130

314.727.3150; fax, 314.727.6005

 

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