When our largest library branch closed for renovations, we faced a potential decline in our popular author events. For over a decade, these have been a critical part of our community's literary culture, fostering a love for reading and providing unique opportunities for patrons to engage with writers. The closure threatened to disrupt this valuable service by removing access to our 400-seat event space, where we host the most popular authors. We worked with established local partners and created new partnerships to find innovative solutions.

Our response was to develop a network of community partnerships that would allow us to continue and even enhance our author event program. This approach led to the creation of alliances that brought literature into new spaces within our community.

A successful partnership emerged between our library, a local independent bookseller, and various restaurants in the area, such as Chicken N Pickle (a multi-purpose venue combining a restaurant, bar, and pickleball courts), Bella Vino Wine Bar and Tapas, and The Grand Opera House Banquet Center.

Benefits of the Partnership:

• Booksellers’ involvement enhanced promotion and book sales, supporting the authors and local businesses.
• The partnership exposed library patrons to local businesses and brought new demographics to literary events.
• The combination of food, drinks, and potential for post-event activities created a more social, engaging atmosphere for author visits.
• The partnership fostered more robust connections between different sectors of our community.

• Continued Events: Enabled four significant events, accounting for nearly 75% of author event attendance.
• Increased Attendance: Attendance at author events increased by an average of 98% compared to the previous year.
• Local Economic Support: Book sales at events support authors and local booksellers, while food and drink sales benefit local restaurants.
• Community Engagement: Attendees appreciated the unique venues and formats, prompting plans for more innovative events and ongoing collaboration with local businesses.
• Expanded Partnerships: Collaborations with local businesses have led to future opportunities, including the Library’s Summer Challenge and One Read program.
• Sustainability and Replicability: This model has proven sustainable beyond the renovation period, providing the opportunity to reach beyond traditional library walls.