Want to get your book shelved at your local library? It takes some leg work, but you can make it happen. I’ve had my independently published books included in library circulations across the United States. You can do it too by following the steps in this article.
Want to get your book shelved at your local library? It takes some leg work, but you can make it happen. I’ve had my independently published books included in library circulations across the United States. You can do it too by following the steps in this article.
Why work to get your books in libraries?
As a book lover, there’s no greater feeling than having your books on a library shelf. I grew up making weekly visits and later volunteering at my neighborhood library, so seeing my books in my hometown branch is definitely a dream come true.
Roughly two thirds of Americans hold library cards, according to American Libraries Magazine. Though library use has shrunk since the pandemic hit, libraries remain places people go either virtually or in person to check out and learn about new books. Libraries buy thousands of new books each year, and unlike bookstores, they don’t return them. As popular books wear out, librarians reorder copies. They also order ebooks. It makes business sense to have your book included in the bunch.
Why work to get your books in libraries?
As a book lover, there’s no greater feeling than having your books on a library shelf. I grew up making weekly visits and later volunteering at my neighborhood library, so seeing my books in my hometown branch is definitely a dream come true.
Roughly two thirds of Americans hold library cards, according to American Libraries Magazine. Though library use has shrunk since the pandemic hit, libraries remain places people go either virtually or in person to check out and learn about new books. Libraries buy thousands of new books each year, and unlike bookstores, they don’t return them. As popular books wear out, librarians reorder copies. They also order ebooks. It makes business sense to have your book included in the bunch.
Steps to getting your book in library circulation. The book acquisition process varies per library system, but here are general steps I took to get my books placed in over fifty systems across the United States.
Have books published through Ingram with your own ISBN. Libraries buy their books through set vendors, such as Ingram and Baker and Taylor. They will not consider books that are published exclusively through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, without a dedicated ISBN. Ingram offers the option of producing your book in hardcover, an attractive option to libraries, where books go through many hands. It goes without saying that your book should be professionally edited and have a great cover.
Find out which libraries carry your book. Your book may already be in circulation at some libraries. A check on the website worldcat.org revealed that books from my Sophie Washington children’s series are stocked in libraries in places I never suspected like Minnetonka, MN and Normal, IL.
Research where you’d like your book placed. After finding out what libraries, if any, carry your book, make a list of libraries you want to target and go to their websites to find out their acquisition requirements. Many have them listed directly on their websites with instructions on 
how you can get your books considered for circulation or list names of who you can email to request that your books be stocked. Log on to the American Library Association (ala.org) website to find the largest public libraries in the United States or libraries you have a connection to and might want to pitch your book to.
Get professional reviews/press. A positive, professional review from services such as Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, or The Midwest Book Review gives credibility to your work, making it more likely to be accepted by libraries. The acquisition’s librarian from my county library system required that I have a professional review for my books before she’d be able to include them, so I was happy I took that step before approaching her. I’d also had write-ups in my hometown newspaper and other local press, so the librarian was familiar with my work.
Have friends and family request the book. Libraries purchase books requested by patrons, so having your family and friends ask for your book at libraries where you want them in circulation is a good way to make it happen.
Offer to speak at your library branch. Libraries are continually searching for quality programming. Doing a talk on self-publishing or reading your book at your local library’s story time shows that you are not just focused on your own self-interest but also invested in the branch’s success.
Don’t give up. Pitching your book to be stocked in multiple library systems can be time-consuming, but increased sales and seeing library patrons checking out your book makes all the hard work worth it. If you run into obstacles, circle back to your librarian and see if he/she can suggest any additional steps you can take. Best wishes!
