Getting Your Self-published Book Into Libraries

According to the American Library Association there are nearly 120,000 libraries in the United States. If you are considering self-publishing, that number should make you salivate.

Libraries are not only a huge market, they are frequently an untapped one for self-publishers. Unfortunately, libraries usually order books from their own distributors, which means approaching them directly to purchase your self-published book may be an uphill battle.

Don't despair.  Self-published authors have several options for getting their books into libraries.

1) Smashwords - If you publish through Smashwords, your book will be available to libraries through OverDrive (world's largest library ebook platform serving 20,000+ libraries), Baker & Taylor Axis 360, Tolino, Gardners (Askews & Holts and Browns Books for Students), and Odilo (2,100 public libraries in North America, South America and Europe).

2) Self-e - This is a joint venture from Library Journal and BiblioBoard. It is designed to expose self-published ebooks to more readers via public libraries. Distribution through SELF-e is royalty free, which means authors do not earn royalties though this platform. SELF-e is best viewed as a marketing tool to build a readership. If your ebooks are already generating satisfactory royalties from library sales via other channels, then SELF-e might not be a good fit for you.

3) eBooksAreForever - The eBooksAreForever mission is to create a "large, curated collection of ebooks to every library in North America, at a fair and sustainable price, where the library owns the ebook forever and authors and publishers make great, ongoing royalties." The current pricing for novels is $7.99 and $3.99-$4.99 for all shorter works, including essays, short stories, novellas, etc. Many libraries buy the entire collection.

4) Book Reviews - Librarians order books largely based on reviews. Getting a review into one of these magazines will provide you with maximum exposure.

Booklist - Circulation: 80,000 print; 160,000 onlineLibrary Journal - Circulation: 100,000Library Journal Self-e programPublishers Weekly -  Self-published books can be submitted for review through Book Life.School Library Journal - Youth titles only. Voya - YA titles only. Accepts print and audio submissions.
5) Direct marketing - This works for print books. Walk into your local library and ask them to order your book. While you're at it, offer to do a reading.

Helpful resources (Read these articles!):

The Library Market: What Indie Authors Need to Know

Getting Indie Authors Into Libraries - An Interview with Mitchell Davis of BiblioBoard

SELF-e: Frequently Asked Questions

Top 25 Librarian Bloggers (By the Numbers)

Publishing U: Getting Your Self-Published Book into Libraries

How Indie Authors Can Get Their Books Into Libraries

9 Steps to Getting Your Self-Published Books into Libraries