Want to throw an epic community event but only have $3, a folding table, and a dream? This session is for you! Learn how to plan, fund, and survive organizing an event that draws a crowd—without losing your sanity (or your budget). We’ll cover how to find sponsors, woo community partners, and dodge common pitfalls. Whether you're a planning pro or just Googled “how to host an event,” you’ll leave with real tools, big laughs, and the confidence to pull it off at your library—even if your only resource is a cup of coffee, and pure willpower. This session is based on a real-life library event that drew thousands, despite limited resources and a serious caffeine dependency.
How do property taxes, reassessments, and state aid formulas translate into your library’s budget? Delaware and Maryland libraries depend on a unique combination of local, county, and state funding. This pre-conference seminar helps library directors, senior staff, and advocates understand how government partners make funding decisions. The session examines how local, county, and state revenue streams are generated, allocated, and defended—and how libraries can position themselves within broader public finance discussions. Through guided discussion and real-world examples, attendees will gain confidence to engage with local officials, advocate for equitable funding, and connect library goals to community development and tax policy.
