In a model program for libraries across the state, Sue Monk Kidd, best-selling author of The Secret Life of Beesand The Mermaid Chair, spoke to a crowd of more than 800 people on Oct. 30. The free event at the BelmarCenter in Lakewoodwas hosted by the Jefferson County Public Library - the third event in its annual InSight & InPerson Distinguished Author Series. The free tickets to the program, available through the Library's Web site, were snapped up within just two days of announcing the program.

Attendees were not disappointed by the event, which began with a small private reception benefiting the Jefferson County Library Foundation. Sue Monk Kidd, whose book The Secret Life of Bees spent a record 140 weeks on the bestseller's list, read excerpts from past works and from her newly released collection of essays, "Firstlight: The Early Inspirational Writings of Sue Monk Kidd."Following the program, she signed hundreds of copies of her books, which were available for purchase at the event.Fans were overjoyed to share brief conversations with the author during the book signing.

Jefferson County Public Library is one of few libraries in the country to host a free annual program featuring a prominent, best-selling author. The event was established in 2004 to bring national authors to local residents at no charge.

NotesDeputyCounty Librarian Marcellus Turner, "Many of our colleagues across the nation are looking at the program as a model. Libraries today are looking to invest in quality programming for their communities."

The Jefferson County Library Foundation helped fund the free event, along with premier event sponsor 1st Bank Holding Company of Colorado and event partners Borders®, the BelmarCenter and JW Marriott. Borders donated 20 percent of proceeds from event book sales back to the Jefferson County Library Foundation.

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About the Jefferson County Public Library
Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) works to enrich the quality of life for all people in the county by providing resources for information, education and recreation. JCPL is the second largest library in the State of Colorado and in the RockyMountain region. More than 387,000 JeffersonCountyresidents are library card holders. A JCPL library card is the key to a network of 10 libraries and a Bookmobile offering books, periodicals, CDs and DVDs, as well as computer and Internet resources. For more information contact your local library, the Jefferson County Public Library's Public Information Office at (303) 275-2203 or visit http://jefferson.lib.co.us.The Jefferson County Library Foundation provides the extra help the Jefferson County Public Library needs to support the literacy programs at its 10 locations. The Foundation also supports the Traveling Children's Library, a service that brings books, programs and materials to children who reside in low-income areas of JeffersonCounty.