During 2008 we tracked 255 author events, including the big name ones. They generated book sales of £36,229 and were attended by 14,433 readers. In addition more libraries are now tried and tested venues for author events.
The Reading Agency in the UK has been pioneering a new way for libraries and publishers to work together for the last four years. Helped significantly by The National Year of Reading 2008, last year shows a bumper year for Reading Partners. It is almost too obvious an idea isn’t it – strategically matching publishers and libraries but you would be surprised at how little is does happen. Libraries are a phenomenal literary infrastructure with committed staff, some extraordinary buildings and a regular audience but it isn’t always easy to get publishers and libraries to work together. CBI’s work during Childrens Book Festival is often spent brokering relationships and building partnerships for events and it s very rewarding when events come together and even more rewarding when long term relationships are built.
More about the scheme over on bookbrunch today
