Live events are a core staple of public library programming with a history of driving sales for new and backlist books, and represent a critical component of an authors’ platform to engage fans and new readers alike. Since many libraries often work directly with authors, publishers and booksellers aren't always aware of their events' full impact. In this BEA 2020 session, Guy LeCharles Gonzalez, Project Lead for the Panorama Project, presented key findings from its recent Public Library Events & Book Sales Survey.

1. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org1
How Public Library Events
Drive Discovery & Sales
May 26, 2020

2. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org2
Michael Goldsmith
Director of Publicity, Doubleday
@mgoldsm
Kristin Soper
Events Coordinator
Lawrence Public Library
@soperific
Guy LeCharles Gonzalez
Project Lead, Panorama Project
@glecharles

3. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org3
Library Events & Book Sales Survey
■ In the Winter of 2019 (December 2019 – February 2020), the Panorama Project
surveyed nearly 200 librarians in 30 states to catalog and measure the types of events
their libraries produce, how they market and track their performance, and how they
communicate their efforts to authors and publishers.
– 60.5% of respondents serve populations of 100,000 or less
– 22.5% between 100,000- 499,999
– 17% over 500,000
■ 49% of respondents produced 10 or more events per year, while 51% produced 10 or
less.
■ https://www.panoramaproject.org/public-library-events-book-sales-survey

4. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org4
Which types of author and book-related events does your library/library system typically host?
(Check all that apply)
83.8%
70.5%
68.8%
63.0%
63.0%
31.2%
9.8%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Community book clubs
Topical speaker series
Book release parties / author readings
Community reading programs
Writing workshops
Literary festivals
Other (Please specify)

5. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org5
Which are the three (3) most effective options for promoting your events?
100.0%
64.3%
60.5%
49.1%
28.2%
19.6%
6.2%
6.2%
5.5%
5.2%
2.1%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Signage/flyers in the library
Announcements on library social platforms
Announcements on library website
Announcements in library email newsletters
Announcements in local print media
Ads on social platforms
Ads on library website
Announcements in local online media
Ads/listings in local print media
Ads in library email newsletters
Announcements in local bookstore email newsletters

6. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org6
69.6%
62.6%
57.3%
53.8%
50.9%
48.0%
47.4%
46.2%
41.5%
40.4%
15.8%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Traditionally published
Nonfiction
Self-published
Genre (Romance, Mystery, Sci-Fi, etc)
Children's
Debuts
Literary
Award-winners
Recent Bestsellers
Young Adult
Other (Please specify)
How would you describe the authors who have participated in your events? (Check all that
apply.)

7. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org7
On average, what percentage of authors featured at your events are local vs. touring?
Local
72%
Touring
28%

8. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org8
How does your library/library system typically book authors for its events? (Check all that apply)
94.8%
45.9%
42.4%
36.6%
32.0%
7.0%
6.4%
6.4%
5.8%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Work directly with individual authors
Partner with community organizations
Work directly with publishers
Partner with local independent booksellers
Work directly with speakers bureaus
Partner with other local businesses
Edelweiss Event Grids
Other (Please specify)
Partner with local chain booksellers

9. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org9
Does your library/library system sell books at any of its events?
NOTE: This would include events where a book is received as part of the ticket price, or where authors are
selling their books themselves.
Yes, 89.5%
No, 10.5%

10. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org10
Where does your library/library system acquire the books it sells at events? (Check all that
apply)
82.4%
52.9%
24.8%
20.3%
8.5%
7.2%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Author brings their own books
Ordered through a local bookseller
Directly from a distributor/wholesaler
Directly from the publisher
Ordered from Amazon
Other (Please specify)

11. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org11
Who handles the sale of books during your library/library system's events? (Check all that apply)
70.4%
61.2%
25.0%
15.1%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
The author
Bookstore partner
Library staff
Other (Please specify)

12. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org12
After an event, which of the following does your library/library system typically do? (Check all
that apply)
66.0%
57.5%
48.4%
37.9%
35.9%
26.1%
22.2%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Maintain relationship with the author
Survey event attendees for feedback
Provide feedback to the author
Maintain relationship with the publisher/publicist
Track impact of marketing on event attendance
Provide feedback to the publisher/publicist
Track impact of marketing on the circulation of related books

13. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org13
HIGHLIGHT
■ After an event, libraries are most likely to maintain a
relationship with an author, but other actions vary
significantly between multi-event libraries and those
producing fewer events.
■ 64% of multi-event libraries survey their attendees for
feedback, and 55% provide feedback to the author, but only
34% provide that feedback to their publisher or publicist.
– When tracking their own marketing efforts, only 44%
track its impact on event attendance, 29% on
circulation of related books, and 6% on local sales of
related books.
■ Only 50% of libraries producing fewer events survey their
attendees for feedback, with 42% providing feedback to the
author but only 17% provide it to their publisher or publicist.
– When tracking their own marketing efforts, only 24%
track its impact on event attendance, 15% on
circulation of related books, and 5% on local sales of
related books.

14. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org14
Michael Goldsmith
Director of Publicity, Doubleday
@mgoldsm
Kristin Soper
Events Coordinator
Lawrence Public Library
@soperific
Guy LeCharles Gonzalez
Project Lead, Panorama Project
@glecharles

15. © 2020, Panorama Project | panoramaproject.org | info@panoramaproject.org15
A cross-industry, data-informed research initiative focused on understanding the
impact of library holdings on book discovery, author brand development, and sales—
the Panorama Project is an open membership initiative.
Join us!
panoramaproject.org | @panoramaprojorg
info@panoramaproject.org