Unlocking Library Shelves: A Strategic Guide for Authors to Expand Book Reach
By Terry Whalin, Contributing Author and Acquisitions Editor
In the bustling ecosystem of book sales and author promotion, a crucial avenue for reaching readers often remains underutilized: public and school libraries. While many authors focus on direct sales channels, understanding and leveraging the library acquisition system can significantly amplify a book’s visibility and impact. This article delves into the strategic pathways for authors to actively engage with libraries, transforming a passive hope into a proactive pursuit of shelf space within these vital community resources.
With over 120,000 libraries across the United States, including more than 100,000 school libraries, the potential audience accessible through these institutions is immense. Even focusing on the 17,000 public libraries presents a substantial opportunity for authors to connect with a consistent stream of readers. This exploration aims to equip authors with actionable insights and practical tools to navigate the library landscape and ensure their literary works find a place among the curated collections that serve millions.
The Library Acquisition System: Beyond the Donation Box
A common misconception among authors is that simply donating a copy of their book to a local library will guarantee its inclusion in the circulation collection. However, author Terry Whalin, a seasoned writer and acquisitions editor, clarifies this point based on his extensive experience. "If you put your book in the donation box inside the library, from my experience, those books go into a place where the library sells books to the public and not into the collection (where they are available to the public for years)," Whalin explains. This distinction is critical: the donation box typically funnels books to the Friends of the Library book sales, a valuable fundraising mechanism, but not a direct route to being borrowed by patrons.
The library acquisition system is a deliberate and often budget-driven process. Librarians meticulously select titles that align with their collection development policies, patron demand, and available resources. Therefore, a more strategic approach is required to introduce a book into this curated environment.
Personal Experience: A Case Study in Library Engagement
Whalin shares a personal anecdote that underscores the importance of proactive engagement. Upon the release of his biography of Billy Graham, he directly contacted his local librarian. This proactive step led to the library ordering and adding the hardcover version to their collection. While this particular book eventually rotated out of circulation, a testament to the dynamic nature of library collections and limited shelf space, Whalin’s subsequent searches revealed his other works, such as "10 Publishing Myths," present in multiple copies and available for borrowing.
This experience highlights a key takeaway: personal interaction and demonstrated interest can influence library acquisition decisions. Whalin’s observation that "10 Publishing Myths" had three available copies and a five-star patron rating (which he himself contributed) illustrates how active engagement, both by the author and by patrons, can signal a book’s relevance and appeal.
However, his search for his newer book, "Book Proposals That Sell," revealed its absence from his local library’s collection. This prompted him to utilize library search tools like "Prospector," a system that aggregates collections across multiple libraries. While he found an earlier edition of his book in another library, it wasn’t the most current version, reinforcing the need for up-to-date engagement.
The Power of a Strong Review: Validating Your Work
The availability of a respected review for "Book Proposals That Sell" from the Midwest Review proved to be a significant asset. The publication’s Editor-in-Chief, Jim Cox, provided a glowing endorsement, calling the book "the one DIY instructional book" for aspiring authors. This external validation from a reputable source carries considerable weight with librarians, as it offers an independent assessment of the book’s quality and value.
Whalin recognized the strategic advantage of this review and decided to leverage it in his approach to libraries. This underscores a crucial element for authors: seeking and promoting positive reviews from credible sources can significantly bolster a book’s chances of being considered for library acquisition.
Strategic Steps for Authors: A Practical Roadmap
Based on his experiences and insights, Terry Whalin outlines a clear, multi-pronged strategy for authors aiming to get their books into libraries. These steps are designed to empower authors to take control of their library outreach efforts.
1. The Library Information Sheet: A Targeted Tool
Whalin has developed a one-page library information sheet specifically designed for this purpose. This document is crafted with libraries in mind, providing essential details about the book in a concise and accessible format. Authors are encouraged to download this sheet and adapt it for their own works.
"If you check this sheet, you will see that it is targeted for libraries," Whalin states. "Anyone can print this single page, then take it to their local library and request the book." This proactive approach provides librarians with the necessary information to quickly assess a book’s suitability for their collection, streamlining the request process.
2. Empowering Your Audience: The Template Approach
Recognizing that authors can inspire their readership to advocate for their books, Whalin offers a downloadable Word document of his library information sheet. This allows authors to use it as a template, customize it for their own books, and then distribute it to their fans and followers.
"Use this sheet as a template for your own book," Whalin advises. "I’ve uploaded my Word document. Download it then rework it for own book request form, then promote it to your audience and encourage them to request your book in their library." This crowdsourced approach can generate a significant number of patron requests, which are highly influential in library acquisition decisions.
3. Fostering Continued Engagement: Keeping Books on Shelves
Once a book has been successfully acquired by a library, the author’s role doesn’t end. Whalin emphasizes the importance of ongoing promotion to ensure the book remains in circulation and continues to be a valuable resource.
"After your book gets in your library, do your best to promote the library book to others, encouraging them to check it out and use the book (which will keep it in the collection)," he urges. This can involve actively mentioning the book’s availability at local writing groups, online forums, or through social media channels. By encouraging patrons to borrow and utilize the book, authors contribute to its circulation statistics, signaling its popularity and continued relevance to the library.
Implications for Authors and the Literary Landscape
The strategic integration of libraries into an author’s promotional plan offers numerous benefits beyond direct sales.
- Increased Visibility and Reach: Libraries provide access to a diverse and engaged readership that may not otherwise discover an author’s work. This broadens an author’s potential audience significantly.
- Enhanced Credibility and Authority: Being featured in library collections lends a sense of legitimacy and authority to a book and its author. It signifies that the work has been vetted and deemed worthy of inclusion by a professional institution.
- Long-Term Discoverability: Unlike fleeting sales figures, a book residing on a library shelf has the potential to be discovered by new readers for years to come. This creates a lasting legacy for the author’s work.
- Community Engagement: Actively participating in the library ecosystem allows authors to connect with their local communities, fostering stronger relationships with readers and fellow writers.
- Cost-Effective Promotion: While there’s an initial investment of time and effort, leveraging libraries can be a highly cost-effective way to reach a large audience compared to extensive advertising campaigns.
The publishing journey is often challenging, but by adopting a proactive and strategic approach to library engagement, authors can unlock new avenues for their books to reach readers and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of literary consumption. As Whalin concludes, "Our lives in publishing are not easy but are possible. I hope in this article along with part two next month, I’ve given you some ideas and encouragement to keep moving ahead." The path to library shelves is a journey worth embarking on, offering a unique and enduring way to share stories and knowledge with the world.
About the Author:
W. Terry Whalin is a prolific writer and acquisitions editor based in California. With a career spanning decades, he has authored over 60 nonfiction books, including "Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams" and "Billy Graham." As an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing, Whalin possesses a deep understanding of the publishing industry and offers valuable insights to aspiring authors. His recent book, "10 Publishing Myths," is available for a limited-time offer, and his bestselling "Book Proposals That Sell" provides essential guidance for authors seeking to capture the attention of editors and agents. Connect with Terry Whalin on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and subscribe to his newsletter for writing insights and a free ebook.
