Author visits pack local libraries

Local libraries don't immediately come to mind as places drawing capacity crowds for entertaining events, but that's been the case twice since late last year for a best-selling author.

Erik Larson, who penned "The Devil in the White City," made his most recent appearance Sunday at Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee. The Seattle-based novelist attracted an overflow crowd of at least 220 spectators.

Larson also packed Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich when he visited in October. Warren-Newport and Ela each picked "The Devil in the White City" as a "One Book, One Community" selection.

Popular authors are known to appear at local libraries without charging a fee, which was the case with Larson at Ela and Warren-Newport. The libraries try to capitalize on the appearances by highlighting what's available to people who might not typically visit.

Big-league authors, such as Lisa Scottoline, have attracted good crowds in past years to Warren-Newport Public Library. However, library spokeswoman Janice Marsh said, Larson's event was the most successful.

Debbie Hoffman, a readers advisory/reference librarian, worked with Larson's publisher to bring him to Warren-Newport. She said Larson's appeal to both men and women likely contributed to the higher-than-usual turnout for an author.

"I foresee us being able to do a lot more of these events," Hoffman said. "I wouldn't want an author to come every month."

Gurnee police officers and library security staff directed visitors to nearby parking for the Larson event Sunday afternoon. Those who couldn't fit inside the library's McCullough Room watched the event on flat-screen televisions near the lobby area.

Marsh said the library's café is closed Sundays, but it was specially opened for the Larson appearance to take advantage of the promotional opportunity.

In Lake Zurich, Ela Area Library spokeswoman Valerie Stern said Larson drew about 170 spectators for his visit there in October. He gave a presentation and took questions during his one-hour appearance.

Stern said Larson included the library on his Chicago-area itinerary while promoting the paperback version of "Thunderstruck."

And officials say there's more to come. Best-selling author Dorothea Benton Frank is set to visit Warren-Newport in April. Hoffman said she expects novelist Lee Child to visit in June just after the release of his latest Jack Reacher thriller, "Nothing to Lose."