Marketing Your Book to Libraries: General Rules and Guidelines for Authors, Writers, and Publishers

One of the biggest dreams many authors and writers have is to see their book on a library shelf. Getting your published book(s) into libraries, including public, municipal, state, university, research, and private libraries can seem like a challenge. How do you accomplish your goals and reach your dreams of selling your books to libraries? Although there is no guarantee that a library or librarian will buy your book, there are several general rules and guidelines one can follow in maximizing their chances.

Target Your Local and Regional Libraries

Most local and regional libraries actively seek books that are written by local authors and/or published locally. They are often especially interested in those books written about or that take place in the library’s city, region, or state. As a library books are often selected based on whether the content is written for the general reader or for the specialist or practitioner. Public libraries focus on books written for the general reader, while university and research libraries focus more on specialist or practitioner books.

Make Sure Your Book Has All The Necessary Features

Most libraries only accept books that have been commercially published. Some indications of commercial publication are a sturdy binding, preferably with the title on the spine; a title page clearly stating (on either the front or the back) the author, title, publisher and date of publication; an International Standard Business Number (ISBN) listed somewhere on the book or the jacket; and a price listed on either the book or the jacket.

Because books in most libraries get heavy and sometimes careless use from the public, librarians often look for ones which are sturdily bound, preferably sewn or glued. Spiral and comb bindings do not stand up well in libraries. Likewise, books with pages designed to be filled in by the reader, or torn out, do not fit in a library setting. Books that include objects such as toys, or crafts kits are also not appropriate.

Get The Librarians Attention Through Reviews

The best way to bring your book to the librarian or libraries attention is through reviews. A positive review in one or more of the library review journals, such as Library Journal, School Library Journal (for children's books,) Kirkus, Booklist, or Publisher’s Weekly, or in the local newspaper’s books review section will give your book an excellent chance of being bought by the local and regional libraries.

The next best ways to contact libraries is either through a flyer mailed to the libraries Service Center or Acquisition Office, or an e-mail which either describes the book or gives the URL to your web site. Librarians generally have only a short amount of time to look at the information, so your best bet is to emphasize the essentials. They look for:

• WHAT the book is about. This should be brief and pithy.
• WHY the book is needed at the library. Here you should include quotations from reviews, or reader testimonials if you have them. If the book has been reviewed you could also attach a copy of the review or citation to it.
• WHO the intended audience is for this book. Is it intended for adults, young adults or children? Parents, business persons, hobbyists, etc.?
• WHO the author is. This should include qualifications, such as education, experience in the field, and experience as a writer. Be sure to mention that you are a local author or publisher, since this is a factor in many libraries decision whether to buy.
• WHEN, WHERE, etc. the book was published. We need all the bibliographic data, including date of publication, price, ISBN (very important), edition statement, type of binding. If the book is self published, give some indication of its physical appearance, including how it is bound.
• HOW the library can order or get it. Libraries prefer to buy from wholesale vendors, such as Ingram, Brodart, Baker and Taylor, Partners West, or others. There are also national vendors that specialize in small press books, including Quality Books and Unique Books. Many libraries also buy new books from Amazon when the book is not available through other commercial vendors. If the book is only available directly from you, be sure to provide a phone number, address, and e-mail address if you have one. Be prepared to accept purchase orders, and to wait several weeks for payment. Also, you will need to supply a signed W-9 form for the library’s Business Office.

Catalogs Are Useful, But Not Essential

Most librarians look at catalogs from local publishers as they have time. They really appreciate all of the bibliographic information listed above for each title, as well as indications of which titles are new.

No Drop Ins or Cold Calls

Drop in visits are not encouraged. Librarian schedules are crowded, and you may end up wasting your time if no selection librarian is available when you arrive.

Consider Displaying At A Library Conference

You many also want to consider being an exhibitor at library conferences. This is one way to reach many librarians in a short space of time. National conference such as the American Library Association can be overwhelming, but smaller ones such as local and regional conferences attract many librarians.

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