Bookshop literati love late nights at the library

 

The City of Sydney is encouraging residents to rediscover the joys of reading with a new series of author talks that also celebrate some of the city’s best-loved local bookshops.

Well-known local writers, including David Malouf, PM Newton and Linda Jaivin, have teamed up with Newtown’s Better Read Than Dead Bookstore and the Potts Point Bookshop to offer an interesting series of events for city booklovers.

The monthly events will be held at Kings Cross Library and Newtown Library to allow the bookshops to use larger community spaces to reach a wider audience.

Better Read Than Dead marketing and events manager, Kate Adams, said they enjoyed a longstanding affiliation with Newtown Library because they liked to share their love of books with the community.

“We’ve been a part of the Newtown community for 18 years, and we’re happy to be able to support our local library,” Ms Adams said.

“Newtown Library is a great place to hold events, it’s different to the bookshop and we reach a different audience there, which is quite important, because people who go to libraries don’t always go to bookshops.

“Having the affiliation is vital, because it allows us to engage with our customers in a different space alongside the library’s regulars. And they are really great at the library: they put out some drinks, a cheese plate and crackers, and some fruit, so everyone can have a nibble beforehand.”

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said it was fantastic to see community facilities being used by local businesses after hours.

“This is a terrific example of how businesses and other groups can make the most of our valuable community assets,” the Lord Mayor said.

“By opening up our libraries to the community for these monthly events, the City is creating an after-hours alternative for people to socialise, discuss ideas and learn about the writing craft.”

Anna Low has owned the Potts Point Bookshop for the past seven years, and stocks her shelves with titles that cater to the local community’s interests.

Ms Low said Kings Cross Library had become a great alternative venue for her regular series of author talks, which are hosted in-store.

“The first Authors Up the Cross event we held at the library was with writers Linda Jaivin and Mandy Sayer, who both live in the area. They are both great local identities, and we realised the shop wouldn’t be big enough for the audience they would attract,” Ms Low said.

“The City of Sydney’s library space is bigger and allows us to put on more of a community event, because more than anything, it’s about starting a conversation with people about books and building a connection with the community.”

For more information visit City of Sydney