The Librarian’s Guide to Book Programs and Author Events

by Brad Hooper

From hosting authors to planning and coordinating book activities such as book signings and book clubs, libraries are perfect venues for readers to interact directly with authors and their books. And mounting literary programming can be easier than you might think. In this guide Booklist’s Brad Hooper inspires, encourages, and advises librarians in providing a wide range of programming that targets their communities of book lovers. Incorporating interviews from librarians in the field who share insider tips, this resource
includes step-by-step guidance adaptable to any type of audience, from children and teens to millennials and older adults;
shows how to plan author readings, coordinate book signings, and put together and moderate an author panel;
offers marketing and outreach pointers, including interviewing authors for local radio, library podcasts, or webinars;
lays out the nuts-and-bolts of organizing and hosting book clubs, with suggestions for facilitating book group discussions;
presents ideas for creating displays of “staff favorites” and other ways to get staff involved and engaged; and
explores programs for community-wide book events, such as “One Book, One City.”
Using this guide, libraries can connect book lovers eager to learn about recent and noteworthy books to authors and fellow book lovers.

Genres: Professional Development, Nonfiction

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2016

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

My manager picked this up at ALA and brought it back a couple of years ago. I found most of the book club portions to be common sense, but that could also be because I have several years of experience choosing books and facilitating discussions. The most interesting and relevant section to me was when he described how Tulsa's staff reader's advisory skill-building is constructed, which is something I've been trying to create in my library. One of my pet peeves in books is when the author constantly refers to something "coming later," especially without page numbers or other references to help the reader connect the relevant passages. That happened on nearly every page within this slim volume.

[Jeana Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good general advice for librarians who perhaps aren’t experienced with these types of programs or looking to expand current programs. All the advice given, though, is definitely geared towards adult services so if you’re a children’s librarian like me looking for some information on how to bring back a kids book club, it’s not entirely helpful. But it’s still good advice!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great tips for book clubs, author visits, author panels, interviews, etc. I did pull out a few tips that I think will be helpful. For my small library branch, many of the topics don't apply but were still interesting.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a few chapters a day while at work. It didn't really take me over a month to read. I just didn't pick it up all the time.

[Matthew Noe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the sections on book clubs and panels helpful (what I was looking for), but the rest of the book also has value. The lost star is because of writing style -it just wasn't my favorite.

[Dean Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good work with some interesting input. Much of the knowledge was broad and general. I would read it before trying to create these events in a Public Library.