Library help

[Ahmed]

How does one get their books into the library… besides just requesting it a lot?

[Christina]

Hi Ahmed.
Thank you for contributing to our resources and discussions! We’ve moved your post to the Author Help Folder so that it can be more easily found by our members who are looking for questions on the same topic. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask. Thanks again!

As to your question, you can contact your library, but understand that many of them have limited shelf space and will not house a book unless it is requested often. You will definitely have better luck with your local libraries though as they may have a section for local authors.

[Edward]

Hi Ahmed, I submitted my novel to my local library (Boone County Public Library in Kentucky) by sending a copy with a cover letter to the Collection Development Manager. It took a few weeks for her to review it, but she just responded that she will add it to the collection. I guess the answer is to find the name of the correct person, submit your book with a personalized and professional cover letter, then wait patiently.

[Ellison]

Hi Ahmed, if you published a print version of your title on Createspace, there is an "expanded distribution" option which allows libraries to order your book from a catalog. This would be a broad spectrum option; for your local libraries, approach the right person directly as Edward and Christina said. Local libraries and bookstores are usually supportive of local talent (depends on the bookstore and library, I've found.)

I read there are distributors that are better for getting your books into libraries and brick and mortar stores, such as Lighting Source. LS gives vendors a discount (which Createspace does not) and therefore they are more likely to order your book for their catalog/shelves.

However, LS will cost you quite a bit more in both setup and royalties than Createspace.

That's for print books.

For e-books, as far as I know KDP does not distribute to libraries as Amazon has it's own lending Library and Createspace is print only. For a more global distribution of your e-book to libraries, LS does offer this, again at cost that may or may not be worth it.

[Edward]

I clicked on that "expanded distribution" option when I was finalizing my book on CreateSpace. My "minimum price" jumped dramatically, so I dropped back to the standard distribution. I wasn't willing to set the price that high on Amazon.

[G.G.]

Edward wrote: "I clicked on that "expanded distribution" option when I was finalizing my book on CreateSpace. My "minimum price" jumped dramatically, so I dropped back to the standard distribution. I wasn't willi..."

I did exactly the same.

[April]

Same for me. I couldn't make "expanded distribution" work at a price I was willing to list my book for on Amazon. In order to qualify for expanded distribution, I'd have to list my paperback at $15 on amazon.com, and that was just too high.

[Ellison]

Oh wow, had no idea. Maybe there are pricing thresholds for the different trim sizes. In which case, let me add, my information is based on 6x9 trim size for an almost 300 page novel, the average price range according to my research for a comparable traditionally published book is $13.95-17.95.