World, Writing, Wealth discussion
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How does an author Get their book into libraries and Overdrive?
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I want to preface this by saying that I am not in charge of any ordering. I work at a small library branch, and our main branch handles these types of things. However, I will answer to the best of my abilities :)
The library I work for does most of their ordering through Baker&Taylor, however we do order from different places. Obviously the likes of Baker & Taylor who we do business with often and who offer discounts on bulk purchases are top choice, but we do occasionally even order from Amazon. World Cat, on the other hand, is a cataloging system that all libraries use to view which libraries own what (this covers college libraries, every library everywhere). Overdrive...while a whole other beast...works in the same way to my knowledge (being that you have to be added to Overdrive before a library will add you to their Overdrive catalogue).
Self-published books can get on all of the above (Baker&Taylor, World Cat, Overdrive). Owning your own ISBN is pretty pertinent, as well as obtaining a PCN (and better yet) LCCN prior to publication. PCNs are pretty easy to get for a self-published author, LCCN, unfortunately, not so much. I think the more you look like a traditional publishing house (owning a block of ISBNs on Bowker) the better your chances, but this is just my speculation. Having these numbers gets you into certain cataloguing, but like I said, we do at times order from Amazon. If a book is in high enough demand, or requested enough, or sometimes even once, those cataloguing numbers are irrelevant.
I feel like I probably just fed you a bunch of informative you likely already know. If I think of any helpful library information, or the next time I have a chance to have a sit down with my boss, I will post again.
The library I work for does most of their ordering through Baker&Taylor, however we do order from different places. Obviously the likes of Baker & Taylor who we do business with often and who offer discounts on bulk purchases are top choice, but we do occasionally even order from Amazon. World Cat, on the other hand, is a cataloging system that all libraries use to view which libraries own what (this covers college libraries, every library everywhere). Overdrive...while a whole other beast...works in the same way to my knowledge (being that you have to be added to Overdrive before a library will add you to their Overdrive catalogue).
Self-published books can get on all of the above (Baker&Taylor, World Cat, Overdrive). Owning your own ISBN is pretty pertinent, as well as obtaining a PCN (and better yet) LCCN prior to publication. PCNs are pretty easy to get for a self-published author, LCCN, unfortunately, not so much. I think the more you look like a traditional publishing house (owning a block of ISBNs on Bowker) the better your chances, but this is just my speculation. Having these numbers gets you into certain cataloguing, but like I said, we do at times order from Amazon. If a book is in high enough demand, or requested enough, or sometimes even once, those cataloguing numbers are irrelevant.
I feel like I probably just fed you a bunch of informative you likely already know. If I think of any helpful library information, or the next time I have a chance to have a sit down with my boss, I will post again.
Cassia wrote: "I want to preface this by saying that I am not in charge of any ordering. I work at a small library branch, and our main branch handles these types of things. However, I will answer to the best of ..."Cool information! Any tips for donating to a library if you have several copies of your book (with ISBN and all that) that you just want to give to them? I was told at my branch that I should talk to the administration at the main library, and I'll do that, but I wanted to know how many copies I should have or any other tips that might increase my chances.
Rohvannyn wrote: "Cassia wrote: "I want to preface this by saying that I am not in charge of any ordering. I work at a small library branch, and our main branch handles these types of things. However, I will answer ..."
I am quite sure if you brought your library a new book, told them you were an author, and asked for them to add it that they probably would. We get donations regularly and will sometimes add the books that are in relatively good shape to our catalog as opposed to putting them on our free cart, and that's used books. As far as copies, I would only bring one. Unless your library has multiple branches and you want your book in every branch (I assume you would), however that's not to say they would take a book for every branch. I'd say they'd probably only take one. I definitely think it's a good idea to talk to the administration at your specific library though. Also, if other libraries in your area/state offer the ability to get a reciprocal card with the card you already have at your library, then you could get a card at as many libraries in your area as you could and put in a materials request for your book...just to see if they would get it.
I am quite sure if you brought your library a new book, told them you were an author, and asked for them to add it that they probably would. We get donations regularly and will sometimes add the books that are in relatively good shape to our catalog as opposed to putting them on our free cart, and that's used books. As far as copies, I would only bring one. Unless your library has multiple branches and you want your book in every branch (I assume you would), however that's not to say they would take a book for every branch. I'd say they'd probably only take one. I definitely think it's a good idea to talk to the administration at your specific library though. Also, if other libraries in your area/state offer the ability to get a reciprocal card with the card you already have at your library, then you could get a card at as many libraries in your area as you could and put in a materials request for your book...just to see if they would get it.
Cassia wrote: "Rohvannyn wrote: "Cassia wrote: "I want to preface this by saying that I am not in charge of any ordering. I work at a small library branch, and our main branch handles these types of things. Howev..."Interesting thought! My card words for every library in my county and also gives me access to libraries throughout my state. Usually they tend to carry at least two copies per branch, with maybe six or eight branches in my county. Good idea to ask them first, that should just be an easy phone call. Do they have any issues with a "donated by..." bookplate, that you're aware of?
OK, my answer has two components.(1) If you have print versions, donate a few--libraries generally appreciate that. (I've done so on both coasts, the West thanks to an old high school chum out there.)
(2) Ebooks are a wee bit more complicated because trad pubbers dominate and hold libraries in a tight fist. Overdrive is accessible, though, via Smashwords. Besides having many retail affiliates, Smashwords also has lending affiliates, either online lending or services that deal with libraries--even for the UK! If your ebook is in the Smashwords' premium catalog, it's automatically available to these affiliates unless you opt out. That's one reason I made my ebooks no longer exclusive on Amazon...well, two. I had to do so in order to add them to Smashwords, and Amazon sucks when it comes to retail and lending affiliates. (I wonder if they'll ban me from GR?)
Considering that many cash-strapped municipalities apply the budget ax to public libraries first, I wish there were a way to donate ebooks to them--they need help.
r/Steve
Steven wrote: "Overdrive is accessible, though, via Smashwords. Besides having many retail affiliates, Smashwords also has lending affiliates, either online lending or services that deal with libraries--even for the UK!"ah, totally didn't know that. great info!
Cassia wrote: "I want to preface this by saying that I am not in charge of any ordering. I work at a small library branch, and our main branch handles these types of things. However, I will answer to the best of ..."thank you so much! this is really helpful.
Comment on Cassia's ISBN observation: Too many authors do Amazon and ASIN and leave it at that for ebooks. I'd recommend separate ISBNs for Amazon, Create Space, and Smashwords...and Baker & Taylor, if you do that. All versions should have the same cover (print versions need spine and back cover too).General comment: I've never found a library yet that won't receive free print versions. Ebooks are another can of worms, but they're starting to use the library services.
r/Steve
How do you get onto Overdrive?