The Perfect Children’s Library Author Visit Example
The perfect library author visit example for me, R.K. Alker Children’s Author, was at a local library.
In the weeks and months before this well-planned visit, there was great communication between this funny kids’ author and the library officer. She had read my Library Author Visit FAQ. We both knew what to expect, and the day ran smoothly without a hitch!
Advertising The Children’s Library Author Visit
The library officer advised potential attendees that the event was happening, such as friends of the library, parents and schools. The library had an established method of informing parents and schools about upcoming events.
The library will need to know the content of your presentation or workshop and associated text and images. This allows the library to promote it to the correct audience.
Library Author Visit for Primary School Children
Primary schools are a major part of the target market. The library officer informed local primary schools about the upcoming author visit. It was important to reach receptive and proactive schools staffed by committed teachers that had contacted the library in the past looking for similar events to attend.
Children’s Library Author Visit Social Media Posts and Website Articles
Children’s Library Author Visit Social Media Posts and Website ArticlesAn excellent author will use social media and website articles. The library officer mentioned or tagged me, R.K. Alker Children’s Author “@rk_alker” in social media posts, to alert me of the existence of the advert, which I could like, respond and share to my followers and welcome potential attendees.
I suggest providing:
- An appropriate image for the workshop
- A statement or blurb. I aim for 35-50 words and sometimes produce both a 35-word blurb and 50-word blurb.
This can be passed on to local schools to include in their weekly information or newsletter for parents.
Children’s Library Author Visit Technology, Software and PowerPoint Presentations
Libraries differ in terms of technology. Some libraries have a PC, projector and screen. Some have no projector. Most have a screen or wall suitable for my own portable projector and laptop.
We discussed technology before the visit. I brought my presentations to the library. They were loaded on the system, checked for compatibility and tested to ensure they were working properly. Technological hiccups on a tight library author visit schedule can rob the children of limited time with an author.
Children’s Library Author Visit Social Media, Photography and Safeguarding
Children’s Library Author Visit Social Media, Photography and SafeguardingThis step-by-step children’s library author visit timetable includes photography taken by library staff showing the library author day at every point. The library used the images effectively in their newsletter and social media. The response from parents and other schools was fantastic.
Get Written and Signed Parent or Guardian Permission for Publication of Images of Children
If there are safeguarding concerns at your library, it is important to check which children are in the photographs before publication and gain consent from the parents and guardians for the use of all the children’s images.
Book Sales at the Successful Children’s Library Author Visit
Children will be enthused and excited by the author day. It will inspire them to take part in the workshop competition. Children will also be interested in borrowing or buying a book.
Some people will attend the library with the intention of purchasing a signed copy of the author’s latest book.
Help the author make sales. The author has incurred costs by attending your library to provide a library author visit. Book sales help cover the costs and are the lifeblood of their next book in terms of publication costs.
The Perfect Children’s Library Author Visit Example Timetable
ARRIVE EARLY ON THE DAY
10:00 Parking and Unloading
- Parking arrangements were clear and if those areas were full, other potential parking areas had been supplied.
- Unload presentation and display equipment and books.
10:05 Sign-in
10:06 Children’s Library Author Visit Orientation
- The library officer had read this Library Author Visit FAQ.
- I was shown the key places in the library and technology, such as staff room, toilets, somewhere to hang my coat and get changed, and
- Then taken around the author visit presentation area.
10:10 Setup PC or Laptop, Projector and Screen
- We then discussed technology and ensured my presentations were working correctly.
- If the technology did not work with the presentation clicker, I would need someone to click a button on the PC to advance my PowerPoint presentation.
- I set up my display and promotional equipment in the author visit presentation area.
11:00 Children’s Book Reading and Workshop
- Be prepared for an audience of mixed age ranges!
- I performed a very animated reading from My Grandad vs The Fangazoo!
- Followed by a workshop focussing on the reading, development of the book and characters, and
- A competition to develop something of their own based on the workshop.
11:45 Q&A Session and Book Signing
11:45 Q&A Session and Book SigningThe Q&A session was fun and engaging. The children’s questions were searching and some brutally honest—I loved them! Covering everything from:
- The Fangazoo book, motivations and how long to write, edit, illustrate and publish, to
- The ambulance service, saving lives and resuscitating people; and even
- My favourite foods… and pets!
HILARIOUS!
The Book Signing had an eager queue of avid young readers itching to get a signed and dedicated copy of:
-
The Fangazoo Colouring & Activity Book for ages 4 to 8 (KS1)
-
My Grandad vs The Fangazoo for age 7 upwards (KS2)
A perfect library author visit example ended on time.
12:30 Help to Transport My Equipment to My Vehicle
The library officer helped me take my remaining book stock and equipment back to my vehicle via the quickest route.
I left the library elated and was so impressed that I wrote an article to commemorate The Perfect Children’s Library Author Visit!
For more Library Author Visit FAQs Frequently Asked Questions CLICK HERE
I hope you liked it 😊
Thankyou x
R.K. Alker
Children’s Author
Who is RK Alker Children’s Author?
R.K. Alker Best-Selling Children’s Author was born in the UK, but he was MADE IN LANCASHIRE!
He is famous as the TV & Radio ChilliMan aficionado and a champion of local producers or “Food Evangelist!”
R.K. Alker has a career spanning more than 3 decades of university lecturing, content writing, UK 999 emergency ambulances, media and entertainment as the colourful TV ChilliMan which contributed to this hilarious children’s adventure book written for his kids.
Read RK Alker Funny Kids’ Author’s amazing story in the PRESS SECTION CLICK HERE
RK Alker is an author of funny children’s books from Chorley, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom, Earth!
His little girls think RK Alker is the Best Funny Kids Author in the World.
Find RK Alker Children’s Author Events, Book Readings, Children’s Bedtime Stories, Kids’ Storytelling, School Author Visits, Children’s Book Signings and more on Eventbrite.
R.K. Alker is also The Chilli man from Little Green Men, a master of The Ancient Lancastrian Art of Ecky Thump! and can be found on Instagram, Blogger.com & Yell
