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Board discusses bringing authors to Skagway; Gordon Korman estimate cited at about $7,500 plus travel
Summary
The library director outlined two author-visit opportunities, one likely funded by grants and one for which the board estimated roughly $7,500 plus travel and accommodation; members discussed fundraising and partnerships with neighboring communities and the arts council
Skagway — The Skagway Public Library Board discussed two potential visiting-author opportunities for 2026 and the likely costs and partnership options at its March 20 meeting.
Doohan said one opportunity appears to be free to the library and likely covered by statewide grants. She described a planned visit by an Alaska-based author focusing on Indigenous stories (identified in planning materials as Lily H. Tisroy Luke in the transcript) that organizers expect to fund through grants covering Southeast Alaska appearances.
Doohan also described outreach from a children’s librarian in Haines about organizing a regional visit by popular middle-grade author Gordon Korman. Doohan said the quoted fee for a day appearance, before travel and accommodations, was about $7,500 and that total costs could reach roughly $9,000 when travel and lodging are included. Board members discussed splitting costs among neighboring communities, approaching the arts council for support and asking the school and other local partners to contribute; the school had indicated it would not cover the full cost.
Board members suggested practical fundraising ideas including in-kind offerings such as excursions or hospitality in lieu of part of a fee, and noted some authors or agents may be open to negotiation. Board members asked Doohan to gather pricing data from other event organizers (for example, what other communities had paid for similar visits) and to contact local partners such as the arts council or philanthropists before committing funds.
The board did not authorize funding at the March 20 meeting and asked Doohan to continue outreach and return with cost estimates and potential partner commitments.
