Ideas for Honoring National Author’s Day in Your Library

Libraries are sanctuaries for stories, and what better way to celebrate our beloved authors than by experiencing their tales beyond the written word? Screening film adaptations of popular novels can bridge the gap between avid readers and movie buffs, creating an immersive journey through the author's world. Host post-screening discussions to create an engaging environment that promotes intellectual exchange and community building. Compare the film adaptation to the original text and delve into the nuances of storytelling across different mediums.

Don't stop at adaptations! Documentaries and feature films about authors can provide fascinating insights into their creative journey. Make sure to create book displays featuring the works of whichever author’s you highlight through film so patrons can dive further into their work. "The End of the Tour" and "Trumbo" require single-event licensing.

Host a creative writing workshop after screening a relevant film. Encourage your younger patrons to translate a scene from their favorite book into a screenplay format. It's a fun, educational exercise that could inspire the authors of tomorrow!

Before screening a popular book-to-movie adaptation, test patrons’ knowledge of the featured author with pre-show author-themed trivia. Include questions based on the authors’ lives, their works and the literary world in general during their height of popularity.

These films are available through our annual public performance license,

except "The End of the Tour" and "Trumbo" which require single-event licensing.

Click here for more movies and programming ideas.