Library Speakers Consortium

Partnership Of Libraries Bringing Bestselling Author Talks To Communities Of All Sizes

Right now, only the largest and best funded library systems can regularly afford the speaking fees of top authors. Our vision is to change that dynamic by pooling the resources of hundreds of library systems to dramatically expand access to these programs for all patrons. Our consortium has more than 250 member library systems which each range in size from less than 100 to more than 2 million patrons.

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Let’s talk about how we can help you bring amazing author talks to your community.
ELEVATE YOUR PROGRAMING

How It Works

The Consortium creates 2-3 online bestselling-author events per month which are streamed to patrons of every member library. These are live events with interactive Q&A sessions where participants can ask questions directly to the author. We are highly committed to offering a diverse mix of perspectives and will ensure that half or more of speakers will be women and/or people of color.

Books and authors selected will cover a wide range of fiction and non-fiction genres including historical fiction, contemporary fiction, romance, OwnVoices, poetry, business, personal growth, social justice, history, art, culture and more.

Author talks are “white-labeled” on each library’s microsite so they will look like they are coming directly from your library. This means member libraries get the credit for offering these amazing talks even though you don’t need to spend any staff time creating the content.

Livestream

Additional features of the program include:

Ability to share as many or as few of the programs with your community as you prefer.
Microsites that are customized to display individual library’s logos, colors, and photos.
Programs will be archived for patrons to access “on-demand” at their convenience.
Registrant reminder emails and a thank-you email with a link to the archived recording.
Interactive Q&A sessions with participants during each event.
Marketing copy and pictures for each event.
Detailed analytics of registration, live views and archive views.
License to screen events in-person for patrons without reliable internet access.
Accessibility features including event captioning and WACG compliance.
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THE SPEAKERS

Upcoming Author Talks and Our Experience

We are incredibly excited to offer a vibrant mix of best selling and award winning authors in the coming months on a wide range of interesting topics.

JANUARY 2024
The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine: An Author Talk with Dr. Robert Lustig
Physician and New York Times Bestselling Author of Fat Chance

FEBRUARY 2024
Spice, Spirit, and Swoon–A Guaranteed Happily Ever After with Rom-Com Author Tessa Bailey
#1 New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer and Hook, Line, and Sinker

FEBRUARY 2024
Exploring Identity, Love, and Being Black in America in Fiction Writing: A Conversation with Award-Winning Author Jason Mott
New York Times Bestselling Author and National Book Award Winner

FEBRUARY 2024
Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity: An Author Talk with Kim Scott
New York Times Bestselling Author of Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity and Radical Respect: How to Work Together Better

MARCH 2024
The Power of Friendships with NPR Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg
NPR Legal Affairs Correspondent and New York Times Bestselling Author

MARCH 2024
20 Years of Dragon-Riding in YA Fantasy with International Bestselling Author Christopher Paolini
International Bestselling Author of Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance

MARCH 2024
On Retelling Greek Classics: An Exploration of the Modern Epics with Madeline Miller
New York Times Bestselling Author of The Song of Achilles and Circe

APRIL 2024
The Foods, People, and Innovations That Feed Us–A Sweeping History of Food and Culture with Smithsonian Curator Paula J. Johnson
A Library Speakers Consortium and Smithsonian Institution Collaboration

APRIL 2024
From Murder to Atonement–Confronting My Son’s Killer with Diane Foley & Colum McCann
McCann, author of the award-winning and bestselling books Apeirogon, Let the Great World Spin and Transatlantic

APRIL 2024
A Literary Examination of Power, Love, and Art with Xochitl Gonzalez
New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming and Anita de Monte Laughs Last

MAY 2024
Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I - An Author Talk with Douglas Brunt
New York Times Bestselling Author of The Mysterious Case of Rudolph Diesel and Ghosts of Manhattan

MAY 2024
A Murder Mystery, Family Story, & Love Letter to Strong Women Everywhere: Author Talk w/ Nina Simon
New York Times Bestselling Author and Reese’s Book Club Pick - Mother-Daughter Murder Night

MAY 2024
Asian American Representation in Literature: An Author Talk with Rebecca F. Kuang
New York Times Bestselling Author of Yellowface, Babel, and the Poppy War Trilogy

JUNE 2024
For the Love of Mars: A Human History of the Red Planet with Smithsonian Curator Matt Shindell
A Library Speakers Consortium and Smithsonian Institution Collaboration

JUNE 2024
Psychological Thrillers and the Queen of Twists– An Author Talk with Freida McFadden
New York Times Bestselling Author of The Housemaid, The Housemaid’s Secret and The Housemaid Is Watching

JUNE 2024
Unpacking a History of Systemic Racism in the American Education System with Tiffany Jewell
New York Times Bestselling Author of This Book is Anti-Racist and Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School

JULY 2024
A Visit to Deckawoo Drive with Mercy Watson and Kate DiCamillo (PreK-2nd Grade)
Newbery Medal Winner for The Tale of Despereaux and New York Times bestselling author of over 30 books for children

JULY 2024
Surviving the Summer with The Last Kids on Earth and Max Brallier (3rd-6th Grade)
New York Times Bestselling Author of More Than 50 Books for Children Under Both This Name and the Pen Name Jack Chabert

JULY 2024
Learning the Power of Poetry with Bestselling Author Elizabeth Acevedo (9th-12th)
National Book Award Winner and New York Times Bestselling Author of The Poet X and Clap When you Land

JULY 2024
Graphic Novels are Life! Telling Your Own Story in a Graphic Novel with Dan Santat (5th-8th Grade)
Caldecott Medal Winner, National Book Award Winner, and New York Times Bestselling Author and Illustrator of Over 100 Books

Our team has many years of experience working with authors and publishers to create amazing online programs. Below is a small sample of the book talks our team has hosted in the past to give you an idea of our team’s experience:

Our Members

Our member library systems come from 40+ states and serve more than ten million cardholders. Pictured here is a small sample of our 300 plus member systems.

Livestream

Our Team

We’re a team of people in love with reading, obsessed with personal growth, and relentlessly focused on empowering people on their journey of lifelong learning.

Becky Brent
Partnerships Manager
Brandon Adler
Operations Manager and Author Talk Host
Chris Williams
Chief Financial Officer
Frederick Coleman
Operations Associate
Hannah Meyers
Sales Specialist
Julia Cutler
Operations Manager
Kyra Schwalm
Operations Associate
Leigh Mikovch
Partnerships Manager
Pinto LeBrun
Operations Assistant
Zach Rubin
Executive Director

Let’s Talk

Request a demo and explore how joining the Library Speakers Consortium can increase access to amazing authors for your patrons.

Request a Demo
Let's Elevate Your Programming