Jack Carr, a New York Times bestselling author, poses on stage with Franklin Police Chief Kirby Cochran in front of a packed house at the Historic Artcraft Theatre during an event discussing Carr’s book in May 2023. Carr is the chair of this year’s Snuggle Up With a Book Ball, a fundraiser of the Johnson County Public Library which helps fund author events in the county.
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One of the season’s hottest events won’t be attended by anyone.
There will not be any fancy dinner, elegant music or formal suits or gowns.
And that’s exactly the way organizers want it.
The Johnson County Public Library is once again hosting its Snuggle Up With a Book Ball on Feb. 24, a fundraiser supporting its Authors at JCPL program. People are encouraged to register, donate and then, in a twist, not attend the event.
Participants can get cozy with a book anytime and anywhere, while teaming up with other avid readers to raise money for the library.
“It’s such a precious thing because it’s great for people who don’t want to be around a whole group of people, who don’t want to go to a gala,” said Lisa Lintner, director of the Johnson County Public Library. “You can just stay home in your pajamas and read, making a small gift and you’re supporting the program.”
This will be the fifth year for the Book Ball, which was created in 2019 by the Johnson County Public Library Foundation as a unique way to raise money for library programs, particularly the Authors at JCPL series.
The foundation has assisted the library system with supplemental funding to support a variety of programs, all to promote literacy in the county. One of its most visible and popular initiatives is helping bring best-selling national writers to the county for presentations, discussions and book signings.
Those events have been free to the public, and operated without using tax dollars, Lintner said.
“We wanted to provide a really unique literary experience for our residents,” she said.
Last year, the foundation funded six New York Times bestselling author visits, including stops from Shelby Mahurin, Ruth Ware and Ashley Flowers. The visits brought in 1,780 people in 2023.
“It’s been really incredible. A lot of people get very excited, because they get a free book, and they get introduced to authors they’ve never ready before,” Lintner said.
To generate excitement for the Snuggle Up With a Book Ball, library organizers have tapped author Jack Carr to serve as chairperson of the non-event. Carr appeared in May 2023 at the Historic Artcraft Theatre in Franklin to promote his new Navy SEAL James Reece novel, “Only the Dead.”
His book “The Terminal List” became an Amazon Prime TV series.
Taking part in the Book Ball is a chance to support the library system’s work to improve the community’s quality of life and literacy, Carr said in a statement.
“Libraries, to me, represent not just repositories of information but gateways to adventure, wisdom, and personal growth. They embody the values of accessibility, community, and the preservation of our shared human narrative. Every library has a unique magic that transcends time, fostering a love of learning that I carry with me to this day,” Carr wrote in his Snuggle Up With a Book Ball invitation to the public.
While the heart of the fundraiser is staying home to enjoy a book, that’s not to say it’s not a social event. Donors are encouraged to create teams for friends and family to join, adding an element of good-natured competition. The team and individual who donates the most receive front-row seats at 2024 Authors at JCPL events as well as a signed poster from one of the 2024 visiting authors.
Kids can join Team Bibli (the library system’s mascot) and enjoy a special storytime with Bibli on social media on the day of the event.
“The groups, and the team captains, have really increased our donations, because somebody who’s championing this program decides to throw a party or get together for coffee or have an afternoon tea party,” Lintner said.
Organizers have also lined up the opportunity for donors to win door prizes. Starting at noon on the day of the Snuggle Up with a Book Ball, we award hourly door prizes to someone who has donated. Winners are posted on the JCPL Foundation Facebook and Instagram pages.
Donors to the Snuggle Up With a Book Ball can choose from different levels of contribution and earn literary-themed titles: a donation of less than $50 earns you the distinction of “Potter’s Pal,” while gifts of $250 or more make you “Austen’s Angel.”
Last year, the Book Ball generated about $12,000.
“My goal as library director is always seeking out ways to make the library valuable to our residents. I understand people have a lot of choices. If you had the income, you could just purchase your books online,” Lintner said. ”But we really want to show our residents the value of the public library.”
IF YOU (DON’T) GO
Snuggle Up With a Book Ball
What: A fundraiser of the Johnson County Public Library Foundation that encourages people to RSVP with a donation and then snuggle up with a book anywhere, anytime, with anyone, or no one.
When: Feb. 24
What it supports: Donations provide supplemental funding for Johnson County Public Library programs, such as the Authors at JCPL visiting writer series.
How to sign up: Go to jcplf.org/bookball
