LITTLE ROCK — "I've always been a big library user, and feel a kinship with others who do the same thing. Plus, libraries have bathrooms and pay phones."

- David Sedaris, fan Q&A, The New Yorker

Though it means taking time away from the books and bathrooms - and if they still have them, the pay phones - one ticket not to miss this weekend is author David Sedaris, who is coming to Little Rock for a one-night only event at 7 p.m. Sunday to the benefit the Arkansas Literary Festival, a project of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS).

"When CALS adopted the festival, they wanted to expand it a bit and do events beyond the scope of just the one weekend" during which the festival takes place, said festival coordinator Brad Mooy.

This visit is one such event. Sedaris is the author of Barrel Fever and Holidays on Ice, as well as essay collections Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and When You Are Engulfed in Flames. Humorous and satirical, his works are all bestsellers, having sold more than 7 million copies in 25 different languages.

And he is a favorite of Mooy, who not only has read his work but had two chances to see him speak.

"I saw David in Fayetteville. Both times I'd gone up to hear him with friends, and he was great. He's so gifted," he said.

Like those events, this weekend's appearance will include about an hour of Sedaris reading from his works - but this won't simply be story time. If you've never heard an author read their own stories, you're in for a treat, particularly with Sedaris, whose observational style often addresses his own experiences and the results are likely to leave you laughing, or at least chuckling to yourself, the entire time, Mooy said.

Moreover, rarely when the library brings in an author is it simply reading from a book, added CALS spokesman Carrie Snodgrass. Interaction is common, and indeed Sedaris will make comments between stories and afterward there will be a short question and answer period. Following that, he'll head to the lobby and proceed to "sign his fingers off," Mooy said, autographing books brought from home or purchased on site. And he won't leave until everything is signed, both library representatives noted.

But speaking of site, the event is being held at the Conner Performing Arts Center. If you don't know what that is yet, you're not alone.

"Most people know it as the old Fellowship Bible Church," said Mooy. When the church moved, the building at 12701 Hinson Road was acquired by Pulaski Academy and is now used as an auditorium. Large enough for big crowds but small enough that even balcony seats feel somewhat intimate, it's a great setting for this first ever CALS fundraiser held off-site of the library, Mooy said.

And it's been a long time coming. Mooy said he tried to get Sedaris to Little Rock several years ago for another project, but was not successful. He started again in the spring last year and finally got things confirmed in the fall - almost a year ago.

"I'm just thrilled that central Arkansas will have a chance to hear him : and encouraged that so many folks have purchased tickets already, that they know who he is and want to hear him," said Mooy, who added that he's actually gotten reservations from Jonesboro to El Dorado, "so it's not all one ZIP code by any means.

"It's fun to hear that, because that's why we do this."

An Evening with David Sedaris will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Conner Performing Arts Center, 12701 Hinson Road in Little Rock. Tickets are $50 for lower level, $40 for balcony and are general admission within those sections. Tickets are available by calling 918-3009 or 318-3098, visiting any branch of the Central Arkansas Library System, or at the door the night of the event.