One of the many challenges for public libraries today is attracting community interest. Building engagement with local communities through fun, educational, and relevant programs that bring people together at no cost to the public is a tall order. As an employee of two public libraries in New Jersey, I talk with library staff about this issue quite often. As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, I always advocate for the representation of mystery and crime fiction authors in public libraries.
Last year while talking with Madison Public Library adult services librarian Cassidy Charles (she buys all the mysteries, by the way) about the difficulty of developing fresh program ideas, MWA naturally came up while discussing mystery-related programming. MWA’s free library panels are always successful and engage the audience with fun and relevant topics. But, Cassidy had already facilitated a few author panels that year and was looking to create something a bit more interactive.
“Bob mentioned the Noir at the Bar series that MWA had been involved with and I thought that was great,” Cassidy said. “Now if we could take that idea and adapt it for the library setting and a library collection we could have something.”
Cozy mysteries are very popular at the Madison Public Library, and we realized that there wasn’t anything like Noir at the Bar for the cozy genre. While noir readings fit the bar setting, cozies were a different matter. Traditional mysteries lend themselves better to a quieter, more relaxed setting. What better place than a public library? Instead of serving scotch on the rocks, tea and scones could be on the menu. Because, let’s face it, free food always draws a crowd.
Cassidy brought in a local writers group and gauged their interest in participating alongside published authors from MWA. The purpose of this would be to draw in aspiring writers and give them an outlet to present their work to an audience while networking with professionals in the industry. Cozy authors liked the idea because the event gave them a new way to showcase their upcoming works and connect with readers. Within a few weeks Bones & Scones was born. After working out details with then-MWA-NY president Richie Narvaez, we were able to secure for active member authors to read and the event was set.
Despite the beautiful weather on that October Saturday afternoon last year, the first Bones & Scones had a terrific turnout, and the crowd enjoyed the event so much that they stayed for an impromptu Q & A afterward. Readers included Susan Breen, Peggy Ehrhart, Carole Bugge (aka C.E. Lawrence), and Mary McHugh (pictured, clockwise).
Two women from the local writers’ group read following the MWA readers, and one of them joined MWA following the program. “Initially we only had one local reader signed-up,” said Cassidy, “but after hearing the MWA authors speak, another local reader felt the event atmosphere was welcoming and a good environment to share in.”
In hopes of repeating last year’s success, the second annual Bones & Scones is scheduled for October 8, 2 p.m., at the Madison NJ Public Library. The MWA lineup will include: Peggy Ehrhart, Susan Breen, Tim Hall, and C.E. Lawrence. Once again we’ve opened the event to local writers to follow the main program with a Q & A (time permitting). And, of course, FREE tea and scones.
—Robert J. Daniher
Robert J. Daniher lives in New Jersey where he works as an IT Support Technician for Madison Public Library and Library of The Chathams. He has been a member of MWA since 2009 and assists the MWA-NY Library Committee with planning author events at North Jersey libraries. His short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine for the Mysterious Photograph Contest and in the annual Deadly Ink Short Story Collections of 2007 and 2008.