"Booklovers can mark May 3 and 4, 2008, on their calendars now," Hepburn Shire councillor and member of the Booktown working party, Tim Hayes said.

The organising committee announced last week it would host the event annually on the first weekend of May, under the name Back to Booktown.

Cr Hayes said a full review of the event was complete and provided a clear way forward for future Booktown events.

The report, Clunes - Booktown for a Day, a review of the event and community participation was presented to Hepburn Shire Council chief executive Victor Szwed on Friday.

"The review certainly confirms what we knew by 2pm on the day itself - that with 6000 visitors and more than 50 second-hand and limited-edition booksellers trading out of our historic buildings, Booktown for a Day had far exceeded

all expectations," Cr Hayes said.

"But perhaps more importantly, the review gives us a clear understanding as to how an annual Booktown event links into the broader vision of the Creative Clunes strategy aimed at long-term rural renewal for the town," he said.

Based on the feedback, the working party will take a three-pronged approach to establishing a community-run enterprise in Clunes.

The review draws on formal debriefs with local traders and community groups, a brainstorm with booksellers on the eve of the event, visitor and book trader surveys and the dozens or emails that flooded in to organisers following

the Booktown event.

Cr Hayes said the review process had also provided a frank look at the things we need to do differently for future events.

"One of the key recommendations was to move to a two-day event and include a range of other activities likely to appeal to booklovers," he said.

"This wealth of information will also help improve our logistical planning - such as car parking, amenities for visitors and their hospitality needs.

"Our 'Booktown for a day' event was essential market research for Creative Clunes.

"Thanks to our wonderful community volunteers and seed money from both the Department for Victorian Communities and the Shire of Hepburn we have been able to test what seemed like a terrific idea - drawing on the successful

book town concept that started in the small town of Hay-on-Wye in England in the early 1960s.

"Well, the results are in we are rearing to go," Cr Hayes said.

To register your interest email booktown@clunes.org