Author Talks

• Due to the costs involved, Geelong Regional Libraries (GRL) only hosts stand-alone events for authors who have national recognition, strong audience appeal and representation from national publishing houses. Local authors who do not meet these criteria may apply to participate in the Local Authors Fair.
• Authors appearing on the major events program must meet the needs and interests of the local community. Authors may be asked to appear at Geelong Library & Heritage Centre or any of our community libraries with event spaces.
• Presenting authors will be asked to donate a copy of their book for the Library's collection.
• Please note, we cannot administer book sales or facilitate payment for books on behalf of authors/presenters, but we are happy for you to conduct your own book sales or we may be able to organise a local bookseller for your event.
• Our events program is aligned with GRLs Collections Policy in terms of access to information and commitment to intellectual freedom.

Other Adult Events

From time to time we program stand alone events that are not author talks, including our monthly writers workshops. In these instances, GRL will only program events that meet the following criteria:

1. Presenter must have professional experience or an advanced degree in subject matter of presentation.

2. Presenter must provide references and/or examples from libraries or similar organisations where they have presented. Examples of similar organisations include libraries, schools, senior citizen centres, etc.

3. Businesses are not eligible to present events on the library program if the aim of their presentation/workshop is new business development. All events should be based on conveying information, not sales.

Presenters, performers or instructors who do not meet the criteria for inclusion on the major events program may apply to use GRLs venue hire spaces. 

Eligibility - In Summary

• GRL accepts applications from local writers at all stages of their career. As long as you live or work in the local government areas serviced by our libraries, you are eligible to submit an EOI for the Local Authors Fair, which runs annually as part of the Local Word Writers Festival. 
• GRL accepts applications from local community groups and not for profit organisations that may wish to participate in our annual Partnership Events Program.
• GRL accepts applications from published authors who wish to host writers workshops with us, and on a limited basis from other professionals wishing to host an event. You must complete this Expression of Interest form for our major events program. Please note that we receive a large number of event proposals each year and are unable to reply to each individual applicant. We will contact you 3-4 months in advance if we would like to schedule your event in our program.
• To ensure fairness in opportunity and use of public resources, we are only able to offer a maximum of one event network-wide per author/presenter/organisation per year.

In all other instances, we encourage you to explore our Venue Hire options and talk to a member of our Venue Hire team who can help you with your book launch or event plan.

Geelong Regional Libraries (GRL) is committed to offering events that are responsive to the community and aim to increase reading, information and digital literacies and lifelong learning; build 21st century skills; enhance social connectedness; and enable sharing of knowledge.

As per the GRL Library Plan 2025-29, our aim is to create knowledge and connection for people and communities, through the following priorities:
• Encouraging Personal Curiosity - Facilitate lifelong learning - literacy, creativity and heritage; Helping Individuals to navigate mis- and dis-information.
• Evolving Customer Experiences - Innovating our service experience and quality; Enabling participation and productivity - work, study and collaborate.
• Enhancing Community Wellbeing - Fostering connection and belonging; Celebrating difference and diversity; and Creating places and spaces that people value.
• Embracing our Future - Strengthening our financial sustainability; Strategically partnering for improved services.

Geelong Regional Libraries (GRL) is committed to providing events which:

• Enhance access and connect audiences with Geelong Regional Library’s collections and the region’s history;
• Engage the community in public conversation on contemporary issues of importance to them;
• Promote the library as a place of innovative thinking and robust discussion; and
• Contribute to our emphasis on lifelong learning and community engagement.

All decisions regarding the major events program will be at the discretion and responsibility of the Major Events Team (events@grlc.vic.gov.au), in consultation with the Executive Leadership Team where required.

• Relevance of the event for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander and/or CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) people
• Aspects of inclusivity and accessibility, including for people living with disabilities
• Potential of proposed event to engage with the community and support the development of a vibrant, culturally connected community within the Geelong region
• Community enthusiasm for the event topic/content
• Any previous event history with the GRL