What to Read? Writers and Library Events

Having a guest speaker in is a great excuse to bring the community together at the local branch of the library. No matter what genre the speaking writers have written, if the library already have copies, there will be a run on their books. This looks great in the report on Circulation Statistics for your library. (And my help you wring a few more dollars out of the Budgeting Committee for next year's event planning.)
That said, it's not all cake and flowers.
There's a lot that goes into planning an event of this type.
First Question: Do you have the MONEY? Events aren't cheap.
Some authors will come and talk for 'free' [read: shameless self-promotion] but most have to be paid. For most, it's a pittance compared to a regular salary but enough to justify their time away from their word processors. For others, their required fee may prohibit you even asking. Another consideration: You may want your favorite author to visit, but what if he's dead? Who will you ask?

Then there's the refreshments. A library doesn't have a kitchen big enough to feed more than the staff and municipal regulations (and federal law) dictates that anyone making food for public consumption must pass the health inspections on their kitchens. Libraries don't have that kind of documentation and don't want it - they aren't in the restaurant business. That means you will have to cater the event if you want food there. Catering costs.

Next item requiring funds is decorations. What kind? Pictures in the windows? Streamers from the ceiling? Displays for the guest speaker's books? Whatever you choose to use to dress up your facility for the event, it will cost. And once the event is over, do you store the decorations for another event? Are they re-usable?
After you think that through there's the issue of promotional advertising costs. One-time event or is this going to be a regular thing where the names of the authors change but not the timing or day of the week/month? Which leads to asking whatever other things might be desired to promote your library.
 I'm sure you get the picture.

Don't despair!

There is help for this!

American Library Association Event Planning lists money in third place after Strategies and Timetable as does Library Support Event Tips. The School of Library and Information Studies Event Planning Course is available for $125... for those who think they need the education to face this with confidence. Event Planner Resource Library is another place to look for instructions and coping plans.  

I brought up the money issue first because all the Strategies in the Universe won't get your event off the ground if you have no way to pay for it, and knowing how much you have to spend will determine which strategies you choose when you do go ahead with this kind of thing.
Shoestring strategies are VERY DIFFERENT from money-is-no-problem strategies.
They may both turn out to bring in equal amounts of patrons, so what's the best bang-for-your-buck?

That's up to YOU. 

Have fun with it.