Attendance at libraries picks up this month … June officially launches library summer events.  

For authors, libraries can be your best friend. here are over two million libraries globally and they spend roughly $31 billion annually! In the U.S., library expenditures are $14 billion a year–over 10 percent of that amount is spent on books alone. With over 100,000 libraries throughout the U.S., their budgets purchase approximately two billion dollars per the American Library Association and the Book Industry Study Group report.

So … the question is … are you getting your share?

 Start putting together a plan to approach libraries. Begin with:

• Befriend your local library and librarian. Let them know about your book.
• Offer to do a program—especially if you are a children’s author. Many libraries have author programs and are enthusiastic in working and featuring authors—stick your neck out. And if you get invited, make sure you encourage others to come. Bodies count!
• Ask for testimonials and endorsements.
• Make sure you share reviews and any media clippings with your librarian … the one you befriended!
• Donate a few books to the library—it just may be the thing that generates a purchase order.
• Encourage your followers to contact their libraries to request your book and tell them tell their friends to check it out as well as them.
• Librarians pay attention to reviews. The Library Journal is a key one—usually requires a four-month lead before official publication date.
• They read the Library Journal thoroughly—depending on your marketing budget, you might want to consider an ad in one.
• Libraries buy from distributors—key ones are Quality Books, Unique Books, and Baker & Taylor. Make sure you have representation with at least one of them. Make sure you have a one-sheet about your book – include a cover picture on it. Also include the price of the book and your ISBN as well as who distributes your book.
• Make sure you include what formats your title is available in: print, electronic or audio.
• Send it directly to libraries or participate in a coop mailing, such as the one that IBPA does to both academic and public libraries each year.
• Get online and/or make phone calls and determine who the Collection Development Librarian is (make sure you spell the name correctly. Send them your flyer.
• Consider making a collage of reviews that you received and creating a flyer as an attachment to anything that you send out.
• If you have the opportunity to attend or exhibit at a Library trade show, do it. There may be a signing you can participate-meaning you give books away. Make sure there is a flyer in each for additional ordering information.
• If your book has won any awards, make sure you include them within your flyer or one-sheet. If the honor comes to you and your book after your initial contact, it becomes an excellent opportunity to follow up.
• Don’t forget to let your librarian know that you have an ebook or an audio book.
• When libraries order a book, they pay for it promptly. It good thing for the author.

Yes, celebrate your library … it, they, do lots for you and your book … not to mention the community.

Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. Often, she must roll up her writing sleeves and become a Book Doctor, juicing up storylines and author words. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 48 books and 60 book awards including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Success for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a Million Dollar Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon and her historical fiction debut The Secret Journey and The Secret Hamlet. The Secret Rise, book 3 and her first cookbook, Cooking with Judith will be published in 2025. Collectively, her books have earned over 50 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences. 

©2025 Judith Briles – The Book Shepherd All Rights Reserved.