'Complicated' organising has put children's book events in libraries 'under threat', say authors

The letter said someone delivering a 'single hour-long children’s session' in a library or library-funded venue across different local authorities is often required to provide a quote and description, adapt the session to a different theme or format, and travel for garda vetting — all without being paid extra for their time. File picture: Denis Minihane

More than 40 Irish children’s book writers have said the culture of book events in libraries is “under threat” due to increasing bureaucracy, with arrangements becoming “complicated, time-consuming and increasingly stressful”.

An open letter to the City and County Librarians Section of the Library Association of Ireland said the “amount of admin work” surrounding each library event, talk, or workshop has become “ever more difficult to manage”.

Signatories include Erika McGann and Gerry Daly, who authored the Puffling series, Oisín McGann and other well-established names in children’s writing.

The letter said someone delivering a “single hour-long children’s session” in a library or library-funded venue across different local authorities is often required to provide a quote and description, adapt the session to a different theme or format, and travel for garda vetting — all without being paid extra for their time.

They said writers are also required to pay for accommodation in advance, promote the event online, and are often left “unsure of when they will be paid”, sometimes having to chase delayed payments.

In the appeal, the 42 writers called on “those who run our public libraries to recognise that this is creating an unsustainable, but near-invisible situation”.

“As self-employed individuals, we have always been at the mercy of the accounts departments in institutions, and we have always had to adapt to their demands, but we do this work because we love it passionately, we want to keep doing it and we want to share that passion with those around us,” the letter said.

It added:

For a long time, libraries have been among our greatest supporters, and it would be heartbreaking for us to give up on the work we do together.

The detailed letter also said the children’s book industry has created a “situation where we usually have to take on other forms of work to survive”.

“This means that the children’s book industry is heavily subsidised by the other kinds of work that we do,” it said. The writers said there is “no possibility of solely making a living from these events either”.

“To do an event for a library, school or festival, or a longer residency, an author or illustrator will often have to take time off the other work they do to support their children’s book career,” they added.

The Library Association of Ireland was asked to comment.