How to Get Your Self-Published Book into Public Libraries.

 

From Your Family's Story to the Library Shelf: How to Get Your Self-Published Book into Public Libraries

By Butch Gray | Giftkone Publishing

Does Your Self-Published Book Belong in a Public Library?

Have you ever walked into a public library, looked at the thousands of books lining the shelves, and wondered what it would take to see one of your own books among them?

I have.

In fact, getting a book into a public library was something that interested me when I first began my writing journey. But my interest in libraries, books, and preserving personal history has a much deeper beginning.

It began with my mother, a stroke, and a conversation she once had with one of her grandchildren.

That conversation helped inspire a book, and it eventually helped turn my mother into a published author.

It also gave me a greater appreciation for why ordinary people should write about their lives and families, and why public libraries can play such an important role in preserving and sharing those stories.

The Question That Inspired My Mother's Book

My mother once told me a story about a conversation she had with one of her grandchildren.

They were talking about libraries when the grandchild asked where they could go in the library to look up information about our family.

Now, that might seem like a simple question, but think about what the child was really asking.

Where was our family's history?

Where were the stories of the people who came before us?

Where could someone find out about our family's experiences, struggles, accomplishments, and the lives they had lived?

My mother tried to explain that someone in the family would have to record those stories first. Someone would have to write them down, perhaps even publish a book, before future generations could hope to find them preserved in a library.

Of course, family information can sometimes be found in old newspapers, public records, photographs, and genealogical collections. But what her grandchild was looking for was something more personal.

A book about our family, written by someone who actually knew its history.

That conversation motivated my mother to begin writing her memoir.

Unfortunately, life had other plans.

When My Mother Could No Longer Write

My mother suffered a stroke that took away her ability to write.

For someone who had wanted to preserve her family's story, that loss was devastating.

She had waited for the right time to complete her book, believing there would always be another opportunity.

But suddenly, the opportunity she had taken for granted was gone.

The realization contributed to her depression. She felt she had waited too long.

At the time, my own writing experience had largely been limited to screenplays. I had not yet developed the experience of writing and publishing books that I would acquire later.

But I did have something that mattered more than experience.

I had a mother with a story she wanted to tell, and I wanted to help her tell it.

So I became her ghostwriter.

She supplied the memories, experiences, family history, and guidance. I helped turn those memories into a manuscript.

We worked together, and I was able to complete the book for her.

My mother became a published author, even though she could no longer physically write the words herself.

For me, that accomplishment was worth more than any royalty payment.

Her story had been preserved.

The possibility that her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and perhaps future generations might someday find her book in a library made the accomplishment even more meaningful.

That experience taught me a lesson I carry into my writing and publishing today.

You do not have to be famous for your life story to have value.

And you do not have to be published by a major publishing company for your book to deserve consideration by a public library.

Can a Self-Published Author Get a Book into a Public Library?

The short answer is yes.

Public libraries can purchase and circulate self-published books, including memoirs, novels, local histories, children's books, biographies, and educational publications.

But there is a difference between getting your book published and getting it accepted into a library's collection.

Publishing makes your book available.

Library acquisition means that a library has evaluated your book and decided it would be a worthwhile addition to the materials it offers its patrons.

Independent authors should understand that libraries operate under their own purchasing policies, budgets, collection priorities, and community interests.

No distributor or publishing service can guarantee that a particular library will purchase your book.

However, there are practical steps you can take to make your work easier for librarians to discover, evaluate, and order.

1. Make Your Book Available Through Library Distribution Channels

One of the biggest mistakes an independent author can make is assuming that because a book is available on Amazon, every public library can easily purchase it.

That is not necessarily the case.

Many libraries prefer to order books through established wholesalers and distribution services instead of purchasing directly from individual authors.

One publishing service worth investigating is IngramSpark.

Website: https://www.ingramspark.com/

IngramSpark offers print-on-demand publishing and access to a wholesale distribution network used by bookstores and libraries.

For independent authors who want broader distribution beyond Amazon, this can provide another way to make their books available for institutional purchasing.

Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) also offers Expanded Distribution for eligible paperbacks. That program can make qualifying books available to outside distributors, although it does not guarantee library placement.

Before selecting a distribution service, compare printing costs, wholesale discounts, royalty payments, distribution rights, and any return policies.

Remember, the objective is to make your book available through purchasing channels librarians actually use.

2. Understand the Importance of Owning Your ISBN

I have written before about the differences between using a free ISBN supplied by a print-on-demand publisher and purchasing your own.

Personally, I own the ISBNs for approximately half of my published books.

I consider ISBN ownership important because it gives an independent publisher greater control over how a publication is identified and distributed.

An ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, identifies a particular edition and format of a book.

If you use a free ISBN supplied by Amazon KDP, that ISBN is restricted to the KDP publishing system.

However, an ISBN you purchase and register yourself can generally be used for the same qualifying edition across compatible publishing and distribution services, subject to their rules.

Different formats, such as paperback and hardcover, require separate ISBNs. Ebooks may not always require one.

Owning your ISBN does not guarantee library acceptance, but it can make managing your publishing imprint and expanding your distribution options easier.

For someone planning a long-term independent publishing business, I believe that freedom is worth considering.

3. Make Your Ebook Available to Digital Libraries

When people think about libraries, they often picture rows of printed books.

But today's libraries also offer ebooks and audiobooks that patrons can borrow using computers, tablets, smartphones, and other reading devices.

Digital library services have created new opportunities for independent authors.

For example:

Draft2Digital

https://www.draft2digital.com/

Draft2Digital helps independent authors distribute ebooks to participating library services, including OverDrive, Hoopla, and cloudLibrary.

OverDrive and Libby

https://www.overdrive.com/

OverDrive provides digital content to participating libraries. Readers commonly access these collections through the Libby app.

Hoopla

https://www.hoopladigital.com/

Hoopla is another digital borrowing service used by participating public libraries.

These services can help make independently published ebooks available for library selection.

However, authors should understand that listing a book with a digital distributor does not automatically mean every library will carry it.

A library must still choose or authorize access to the title through its digital collection arrangements.

That is where reader interest becomes important.

4. Consider the Indie Author Project

Another opportunity worth exploring is the Indie Author Project.

Website: https://indieauthorproject.com/

The project connects independent authors with participating public libraries and offers opportunities for eligible ebooks to be considered for library collections.

Authors can submit their work for evaluation, and selected books may gain additional exposure through curated collections and related programs.

I find this opportunity particularly interesting because it recognizes that worthwhile literature does not come exclusively from major publishing houses.

There are talented independent authors producing books about local communities, personal experiences, historical events, and subjects that might otherwise receive little attention.

Programs that help libraries discover those books are valuable to both writers and readers.

5. Start with Your Local Public Library

Before trying to place your book in libraries across the country, consider beginning with the library in your own community.

Local authors often have something that national publishers cannot offer: a meaningful connection to the community.

Perhaps your book concerns local history.

Maybe it tells the story of a family that has lived in the area for generations.

Your publication might involve a school, neighborhood, cultural tradition, historical event, or experience that residents would recognize.

These are all reasons a librarian might be interested in learning about your work.

Visit the library's website and look for information about local-author submissions, collection development, or purchase suggestions.

If the procedure isn't clear, contact the library and ask who evaluates books for possible acquisition.

Don't begin by demanding shelf space. Begin by asking about the library's submission process.

Some public libraries accept donated books for consideration. Others prefer that authors submit information so the library can purchase an approved copy through its regular vendors.

Whatever the policy, remember that a donation is not a guarantee your book will be placed in the circulating collection.

6. Prepare a Professional Book Information Sheet

Libraries receive many requests from authors, publishers, and readers.

You can make their job easier by preparing a simple, professional, one-page information sheet, sometimes called a sell sheet.

Your sheet should include:

• Your book's title, subtitle, and author name.

• A clear image of the book cover.

• A short description of the book.

• The ISBN for each available format.

• The publication date, page count, and retail price.

• The appropriate subject category and target readership.

• The distributor or wholesaler through which the library can order.

• A brief author biography.

• Relevant reviews, awards, or local connections.

• Your publishing company and contact information.

For example, a memoir about a family growing up in San Francisco might interest a library because of its local and historical significance.

A book about Juneteenth might appeal to libraries developing collections about African American history and American cultural traditions.

But the librarian needs enough information to understand the book's subject, quality, and potential value to readers.

Make that information easy to find.

7. Encourage Readers to Request Your Book

Here is something many beginning authors may not realize.

Library patrons can influence which books their libraries consider purchasing.

Many library systems provide a book purchase suggestion form on their websites.

When readers request a particular title, librarians can evaluate those requests alongside their collection priorities and available budgets.

For independent authors, this means that developing an audience can be just as important for library distribution as it is for ordinary book sales.

If you have readers who genuinely enjoy your work, let them know that they may be able to request your book through their local public library.

You can provide the title, author name, ISBN, and other information needed to make a request.

Don't encourage people to submit dishonest or duplicate requests. Genuine interest from actual readers is far more meaningful.

And remember, the library still makes the final decision.

8. Offer Something Beyond the Book

Libraries do more than lend reading materials.

They provide educational programs, community meetings, author discussions, children's activities, workshops, and cultural events.

As an independent author, you may have knowledge or experiences worth sharing.

For example, an author who has written a memoir could offer a workshop about preserving family history.

A writer of children's books might provide an age-appropriate reading or activity session.

A historical author might offer a presentation related to the research behind a publication.

Through Giftkone Publishing, some subjects I would consider appropriate for such programs include memoir writing, Juneteenth history, self-publishing, and preserving family stories.

An author presentation does not guarantee that a library will purchase your book.

But it can provide a meaningful opportunity to connect with readers and demonstrate your commitment to education and community engagement.

9. Make Sure Your Book Meets Professional Standards

Self-publishing gives us tremendous freedom.

We can decide what to write, how to publish, what cover to use, and where to distribute our work.

But that freedom comes with responsibility.

Public libraries are investing resources in books they expect their patrons to use.

That means independent authors should pay particular attention to editing, proofreading, formatting, cover quality, accurate descriptions, and appropriate subject classifications.

A professionally prepared book is easier for a librarian to evaluate and more likely to create a favorable impression.

An independent author should not assume that a book deserves shelf space simply because it has been published.

We must give librarians reasons to believe readers will benefit from having access to it.

10. Understand That Library Distribution Is Also a Form of Marketing

One lesson I have learned during my years of publishing is that writing a book and making it available to readers are two different responsibilities.

You can write an excellent book, edit it, design a beautiful cover, and successfully publish it.

But if nobody knows it exists, the book may never reach the audience you hoped to serve.

Libraries offer another path to discovery.

Someone who might hesitate to purchase an unfamiliar author's book may be willing to borrow it from a public library.

If they enjoy it, they might search for other books by the same author, recommend the publication to a friend, or leave a review.

That is one of the things I appreciate about libraries.

They allow readers to explore books they might never have encountered otherwise.

For independent authors, that opportunity can be valuable beyond the immediate sale of a single copy.

A Few Things to Remember Before You Begin

Getting your self-published book into a public library requires patience and planning.

You should also be realistic.

Not every library will accept your book.

Some libraries may have limited acquisition budgets. Others may prioritize books that meet particular educational, regional, or community needs.

A local library might be interested in your memoir while a library in another state may have no immediate reason to purchase it.

That does not necessarily mean your book lacks value.

It means you need to understand the readers you hope to reach and identify the libraries most likely to serve them.

And sometimes the best starting point is not a national marketing campaign.

Sometimes it is a conversation with a librarian in your own neighborhood.

Why My Mother's Story Still Matters to Me

I often think about that conversation between my mother and her grandchild.

A child wanted to know where to find information about our family in a library.

My mother realized that someone had to preserve those stories if future generations were going to find them.

Then a stroke threatened to end her opportunity to do exactly that.

I was fortunate enough to help her complete what she had started.

I cannot help but wonder how many family histories have disappeared because nobody took the time to record them.

How many grandparents have stories their grandchildren will never hear?

How many accounts of neighborhoods, communities, military service, family traditions, and everyday life have been lost because people believed their experiences weren't important enough to write down?

Libraries can preserve many kinds of information, but somebody has to create or collect that information in the first place.

And that somebody might be you.

You don't have to be a celebrity.

You don't have to be a scholar.

You don't have to write the next bestselling novel.

Sometimes a book written about your own family or personal experiences may become the most important publication your descendants will ever read.

That is one reason I encourage people to consider writing memoirs.

And it is one reason I believe independent authors should explore opportunities to make their books available through public libraries.

Final Thoughts: Your Book May Have a Place in Someone's Future

The next time you walk into a library, take a moment to look around.

Every book represents someone who believed they had something worth sharing.

Some books were written by famous authors. Others were created by researchers, historians, educators, and people recording experiences that might otherwise have been forgotten.

Your book might belong among them.

But first, you have to write it.

Then you have to publish it.

And finally, you have to help the people responsible for acquiring library materials discover that it exists.

For me, the lesson began with my mother and a grandchild who wanted to find our family history.

It grew into a lifelong appreciation for writing, publishing, and preserving stories.

Don't wait until your story can no longer be told. Write it, preserve it, and give future generations a chance to discover it.

And once you've published your book, don't overlook the public library.

It just might be one of the most meaningful places your writing will ever reach.

Explore My Books

I invite readers to explore my published works under the names Hank Gray and Butch Gray.

Hank Gray: https://amzn.to/3VN4LTl

Butch Gray: https://amzn.to/4BjwLOo

A Question for My Readers

Have you ever tried to get a self-published book into a public library? Or have you ever wished your family's history could be found on a library shelf?

I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments.

Giftkone Publishing — Encouraging Writers, Inspiring Readers, and Sharing Knowledge.

By Butch Gray