Libraries rock. I am doing a library tour for my debut book with at least a dozen gigs all around the state. Putting eyeballs on my work is the mission and libraries are critical to getting traction
I like that libraries allow me to find new authors who write books in the styles I like without spending a lot of money. The problem is I now end up spending lots of money collecting their earlier books and waiting for the next one.
I’ve personally taken the stance that Kindle/Audible are to be avoided at all cost and if you want to support the author, use Libby and buy a physical copy of the book.
Add the inability to ever own digital media & Libby comes out on top 9:10, IMHO
I was a circulation minion at the Greenwich (CT) Public Library for a few summers, and they were definitely purchasing several copies each of hot new titles. I'm working a different library gig now and try to pass word to authors I'm connected to when their books cross my desk.
I just remembered. We’re also the number one advocates against book burning and copyright infringement. No one has authors’ backs like we do on these issues.
We also do something bookstores don’t do. It’s called reader’s advisory. We help people find the just right book, and sometimes that will be your book. We have all sorts of resources (NovelistPlus on EBSCO is magic. I search for books through Libby before I buy them, because the filters are better.)
And writers do a lot of research. You know who’s already being paid to help you do research? Your local public librarian. Head over to the reference desk. We don’t know everything, but we know where to look.
Fun fact, while everyone has heard of the New York Times bestseller list, few people know the power of a School Library Journal review. They are usually the deciding vote in which YA books I get for the library.
First, libraries buy their books, often in bulk. Large library systems, like the New York Public Library, buy a LOT of copies of the same book. This can be a huge boost to an author’s quarterly sales report. AND the more a book is checked out, the more copies the library will buy.
Second, libraries can keep an author's back catalogue in circulation. Bookstore shelves are limited, so it’s easy to have a book I made just a couple years ago become difficult to find. BUT I still get readers who’ve just read my first ever novel because it was at their local library.
Which brings up the next benefit: there are solid statistics that say readers who check out a book from the library are way more likely to become buyers of the author’s future books. Think of it as offering a free sample of an author’s work. It’s a good way to find new readers!
This is what happened to me with Kathy Reichs, I was checking out her books an entire summer, then when I caught up with everything she had written I started preordering her newer books. I couldn't have afforded to buy the full collection at the rate I was reading them.
Finally, libraries are just good for the overall literary ecosystem! I believe everyone should have access to good books. I also know that books can be expensive. I’ve been pretty poor at several periods in my life, and having access to a well-funded library really mattered.
I’ve prioritized getting a library card everywhere I’ve lived. My best memories were at our local library, lying on the floor reading. In college, my on campus job was at the library. My kids were always excited to go to our library, which was 20 miles away. They are invaluable to communities.
So support your local libraries! Use them regularly and take advantage of all their services! Write your local politicians to preserve library funding! Request that your local library order my new books, which supports them and also me!
as a library worker i can vouch that even at a small rural public library, we've had patrons go out of their way to purchase copies of books that were missing from our collection (to donate after reading), as well as submit requests that we buy more of an authors work after we got their first book!
My mom used to take me to the library regularly from the time I was 2 or 3 years old. She read to me all the time. The library was my favorite place. I grew up to be a THINKING PERSON, and a literature and composition teacher.🩷
Just wanted to say,as a library worker myself, thank you for these posts! Books, authors, literacy and readers matter so much. Having those havens where people can read and enjoy books they might not be able to get elsewhere is essential. 💚
This is certainly how I became a buyer of @seananmcguire.bsky.social ‘s books. Though the gateway book was actually by Mira Grant, who has never appeared with Seanan. 🤔
Also for series-- especially very long-running meandering ones-- having that back catalogue available means your older lore is still available to newer readers.
And, OUTSIDE of the US, many countries have PLR (Public Lending Right) schemes. These pay authors a yearly sum based on library lending activity of their works.
UK, much of the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, others, have this. Likely impossible the US will implement.
Australia has Educational Lending Right (school libraries) as well as PLR. My most successful book financially is a kids' book that is still in libraries nearly 25 years later despite never being reprinted, and I've made much more from ELR than I did from the advance or royalties.
I once borrowed a book at local library on cover design alone. It was so pretty.
Turns out it’s now such a favourite of mine that I have bought so many copies to give to friends, also to lend (then forget where it went so buy another for lending out)
hey thank you for sharing!! Its been super cool to see alot of my peers get their cards this year! its such an incredible service and I love knowing how it helps authors to!
There's a business principle about how exposure is good even if you don't immediately benefit from it. If a bunch of people see your work for free, that's good because you're in their minds. Time is a commodity and the more time people spend on your art, the better for you in the long run.
because you become the one they search Google for. You become the one they think about when the teacher/professor says pick a book. It's good to give as many people as possible access to your work even if they don't pay directly. You probably know this idea more in depth than I do.
Indie author here—not exactly a household name! But I get most of my sales through ebook distributors to public libraries (Overdrive and Hoopla). It’s a win-win-win. Me, libraries, and I hope readers.
Me, for one, and I still regularly borrow books from several libraries because it would be impossible for me to own every book I need to do the research for my writing.
Borrowed book 1 of an 8 book series from my library last month. Couldn't stand sitting on the hold list for months so I bought the rest of the series. Libraries are a fantastic way for people to discover and fall in love with authors!
Libraries expand young minds, so they end up spending a lifetime buying books they wouldn't have otherwise bought without the learning they got from them. I should know, I spent a lot of time with library books as a poor kid and teen, extra perspectives with a new subject of interest.
All great reasons. Here in Canada (as in many other countries) authors receive a public lending rights cheque each year based on how many times their book was checked out. My SO is 40 books into her career, so that cheque has become a significant part of her writing income.
Comments
I’ve personally taken the stance that Kindle/Audible are to be avoided at all cost and if you want to support the author, use Libby and buy a physical copy of the book.
Add the inability to ever own digital media & Libby comes out on top 9:10, IMHO
#protest
Sometimes they stop by my work and let me know that people are checking it out and reading it :)
Recently they’ve helped me talk at a local school about how being an author rocks. Love them!
UK, much of the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, others, have this. Likely impossible the US will implement.
https://plrinternational.com/
Turns out it’s now such a favourite of mine that I have bought so many copies to give to friends, also to lend (then forget where it went so buy another for lending out)
Even bought the audio.
Spinning Silver ❤️
I would not have been able to write this historical project without the 'help' (if that's the right word) of several libraries and archives.
some lists:
https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/book_censorship_database_magnusson
https://pen.org/banned-books-list-2025/
https://www.ala.org/bbooks
...it doesn't help authors???
What nitwit said this?!