Are Libraries Bad for Authors? Or Are Libraries Good for Authors?
I often hear people who’ve written books or are writing books—some of them my new author coaching clients—downplay the benefits of libraries for authors.
Yes, many authors poo-poo the notion that getting a book into libraries is beneficial or important.
The skepticism comes from self-published “indie” authors and traditionally published authors alike.
Are libraries bad for authors, like a lot of people think? Or are libraries good for authors?
Here I’ll push back on some of the misconceptions about libraries, speaking directly to authors.
“Library patrons are readers who won’t pay full price online.”
Libraries are visited by people on a budget. By getting your book into libraries, you are serving others. They might tell their friends about your book, who might then buy it or follow you online.
Library patrons are often more than willing to take a chance on a book—and are therefore more likely to read your book—because it’s free. If they like your book, they might buy it, or they might buy your other books.
According to Library Journal, “Over 50 percent of all library users go on to purchase books by an author they were introduced to in the library.”
Libraries are visited by people who read prolifically (and who also buy books).
“No one will buy a book if they can just get it at the library.”
If there are some people who would never buy your book, libraries will buy it for them to read.
And these people, if they become your fans, will request every future book you’ll write.
Libraries don’t always have in their catalogs every book an author wrote.
That print book you wrote a few years ago? Chances are a larger public library might cull their collections periodically, so a patron might have to buy it if they want to read it.
“Libraries typically don’t pay authors to speak, and it can be difficult to line up author events.”
Yes, but . . .
Once you get a foot in the door, if you do a great job and treat the librarians with respect, you’ll have more opportunities.
Library author events can give you opportunities to get in front of readers.
An author book talk can be a great way to get people on your author email list and to induce readers to buy your previous books (that might not be on library shelves).
A library talk connects you, the author, to people in your city, county, or community.
Sometimes, libraries allow authors to sell their books after their talk or to partner with a local bookstore in doing so.
Many authors use their book talks or public writing workshops to land paid editing or coaching clients, or even to meet people that can help with their next book launch. That could be you!
“Libraries will only buy one or several copies of a book.”
Yes, but . . .
Libraries pay more for books than a customer would at retail.
There are different payment models at play when it comes to library purchases, depending on the publisher and/or the book distributor. And not all options may be available to all authors. Here are some examples:
The one-copy method pays for the book up front, while the cost-per-checkout method pays a small amount each time (and can be more profitable in the long run).
With the one-copy method, libraries often pay two or three times the retail cost of a print book—and sometimes even more than triple the retail price of an ebook.
With the pay-per-use model, a book makes an amount less than the retail cost—but each time it’s “checked out,” the author gets royalties. If a lot of people read your book, you win!
“Library books are buried on the shelves and no one will see my book.”
That may be so. But if you’re a local author, you can encourage people to check out and request your books at the library. And your books may be spotlighted by your local library/branch library.
If you’re an ebook or audiobook author, great! Since ebook and audiobook editions are “digital,” they aren’t cleared out of the catalog regularly like print books might be.
In time, ebook and audiobook authors have a greater chance of (eventually) being discovered.
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Libraries are a great way for authors to find new readers. There are many unexpected benefits for authors who have their book(s) in the library.
If you’re an author or a will-be author, it’s a great benefit to your community and to your ideal readers to have your book on the shelves or in the digital catalog.
I hope this article has also changed how you view about what libraries can do for you!
You might also like:
An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries and Bookstores by Mark Leslie Lefebvre
Authors and Ebooks: Ebook Platforms for Libraries, Ebook Distribution Services, and Ebook Apps
Eric Simmons Library Contact Database (Library Marketing Services)
The Best Book Marketing Strategies, an online self-paced course for authors