One issue of adult programming: How do you get them to come?

You plan an interesting adult program (at least you think it will be interesting).

You post flyers around your library; at the entrances, at the service desks, and insert them into the checked out books.

You advertise the program on the library's website and send press releases to the local newspapers.

And then the day of the program.....no one shows.

Has this ever happened to you? Is it what we all dread?

I have actually had this happen to me.

On one occasion, I had a very entertaining gentleman approach me with an offer to give a book talk about his new book. He had self-published and was anxious to share his book with others. He supplied copies of the book prior to the event. He supplied a short summary of the book for the press release and a poster of the book cover for the library display announcing the program. The local papers all ran the press releases for us (the papers not running the press releases is sometimes an issue but wasn't in this case).

And then the day of the program, the author arrived and the room was empty. I was embarrassed for both the author and the library. I think that our community missed out on an interesting program.

I have tried to determine what issues caused this.

1. The author was unknown.
2. It was a beautiful day on the lake. Timing can be an issue; this program was offered in the summer and my library is located on Lake Erie. Beautiful sunny Saturdays can be difficult for adult programming. Had this program been in March might there have been participants?
3. It was a combination author talk/reading and book signing. Does this scare away adults who think they will be pressured to buy a book? But with budgets being small, it is sometimes helpful to offer an author the booksigning opportunity in exchange for not having to pay them for speaking.

Any ideas? If I have this type of programming opportunity again I would like to have better success.

Please share your thoughts or similar experiences.

Community Wide Read

The National Endowment for the Arts has developed The Big Read program. There are many titles to choose from and the goal is to get your entire community involved in reading this one book. Libraries apply for grants that help pay for the events planned to promote the community involvement including a kickoff event, keynote event with author reading or lecture by a key biographer, discussions held at multiple locations, and other programs related to the book. For a small community the grants range from $2,500 - $7,500 and must be matched 1 to 1. This program includes educational and promotional materials. Find out more on their website http://www.neabigread.org/ Even if the matching grant requirement puts this program out of your budget exploring this site can give you ideas for ways to expand your book discussion into related programs, plus the titles approved for the program are all great reads for any book group.

Is The Big Read too big for you? Maybe you could try One Book Project. Just try to get everyone in your community to read one book and discuss it. The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress maintains a list of One Book Projects http://www.read.gov/resources/ Search for one in your state and you can contact that library for ideas on how to have one in your library.

The American Library Association has also provided “One Book – One Community: Planning Your Community-Wide Read” which is available online http://publicprograms.ala.org/orc/pdfs/onebookguide.pdf

Regardless of the size of your community, programming budget, or staff experience, your library should still be able to find some ideas here to encourage a community wide reading event.