Top Library Ebook Distributors for Self-Published Authors
So, you’ve written and published an ebook. Or you’re about to. Congrats!
And now you want libraries to buy it. Why wouldn’t you? It’s another way to be discovered and it is an often-overlooked source of sales. But how in the world do you make that happen?
As a nonfiction author coach for American authors who has guided dozens of authors through the self-publishing process, here’s what I know to be true (and I’m writing with US authors in mind):
The first step to getting your ebook into libraries is to make it available through library ebook platforms.
In order to reach these platforms, you need to use an ebook distributor.
You can’t just walk into a library with your ebook file on a USB thumb drive. You can’t just email a librarian a PDF or an EPUB file and ask for payment.
Libraries don’t buy ebooks on Amazon and put them into their system.
Libraries acquire ebooks by purchasing them from one of several ebook checkout platforms.
They do this so they can catalog it, manage the MARC metadata (Machine Readable Cataloging), and manage and track the checkouts.
If you want your ebook to be available through libraries, it needs to be available through the library ebook platforms. Which means it needs to first be available through an ebook distributor.
If you’re a traditionally published author, chances are your publisher has a plan for this. But it wouldn’t hurt to ask!
If you’re a self-published author, you’ll have a lot more work to do.
Just because your book is available doesn’t mean they’ll buy it. Library budgets are limited, so a top-notch cover, reviews or endorsements, and requests from readers will go a long way to ensuring that a library buys a copy of your book and puts it in their catalog.
The most popular ebook distributors include Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, StreetLib, and IngramSpark.
Selling ebooks to libraries: List of ebook distributors
Here are the largest library platforms or apps and the distributors who serve them.
OverDrive (Libby app)
The world’s largest library ebook and audiobook platform. “OverDrive now offers the largest digital content catalog in the world to more than 92,000 libraries and schools in 115 countries” (source: Overdrive website), mainly in North America, Australia, the UK, Germany, and Japan. Titles are accessed by patrons via the Libby app. Distributors: Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, Kobo Writing Life, PublishDrive, StreetLib.
Hoopla supplies digital media to 11,500 libraries and 7.5 million patrons worldwide, mainly in the US and Canada. Hoopla’s model allows patrons to borrow content instantly. Hoopla uses a CPC (cost-per-checkout payout model) and does not allow for price changes. Distributors: Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, PublishDrive.
BorrowBox, owned by Bolinda Digital, serves library and school markets—especially in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Distributors: Draft2Digital, IngramSpark.
cloudLibrary is a digital content platform owned and operated by OCLC, a global library nonprofit. While it has a smaller reach than some of its competitors, it is rapidly growing. Distributors: Draft2Digital.
Here are some other library platforms who serve specific regions or library types (school, academic, or regional public systems):
EBSCOHost
For nonfiction, academic, and educational titles; it reaches academic and public libraries worldwide. Distributors: IngramSpark.
Mackin
A US‑based distributor providing content to 50,000 school and youth libraries (PK–12). Ideal for children’s books, YA, middle grade, and educational nonfiction. Distributors: IngramSpark, PublishDrive.
Odilo
Offers ebooks and audiobooks (among other digital media) to 30,000 institutions in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, the US, Australia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Distributors: Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, StreetLib.
Palace Marketplace (The Palace Project)
A nonprofit ebook marketplace created by the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA). It serves 400+ US public libraries and pays authors 60% of the list price. Distributors: Draft2Digital.
ReteINDACO
An Italian national digital library network. Distributors: StreetLib.
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It includes 50 things to do (geared toward American authors) that can help sell more books.
Ebook Authors and Libraries: Quick Tips
If you’re an author, consider the geographical reach you want your ebook to have (and that you can realistically expect it to have) when considering which ebook distribution channels to pursue.
Make sure your book is available through one or more of the ebook distribution channels listed above.
Remember: Just because your book is available on one of these platforms doesn’t mean a library will purchase it and make it available to readers (or that, if a library acquires it, patrons won’t be on a waiting list to read it).
Encourage your readers to recommend your ebooks to their local library.
And don’t hesitate to reach out to libraries yourself—by email—to let them know which library ebook platforms have access to your book and to encourage them to buy a copy.
Distribution to libraries can be a great component of any author’s sales plan!
You got this!