Overview
Libraries are one of the most powerful and underused distribution channels available to authors. A book stocked in a library system reaches readers who might never have discovered it online, builds credibility that money cannot buy, and generates the kind of word-of-mouth that sustains long-term sales. Knowing how to get your book into libraries is a practical publishing skill, but one that very few guides cover honestly and completely. The process is different for self-published authors than for traditionally published ones, and the path into public libraries differs from the path into school and university libraries. This guide covers all of it clearly.
Whether you are working with professional book publishers for traditional distribution support or navigating the library market independently as a self-published author, understanding how book distribution to libraries actually works puts you in a far stronger position to pursue it successfully.
Why Libraries Matter for Authors
Before getting into the process, it helps to understand what library placement actually means for your book commercially and professionally.
Libraries do not just lend books. They purchase them. Every physical copy a library acquires is a real sale that generates royalty income. A library system with fifty branches might order ten to twenty copies of a title. A state or national library consortium order can involve hundreds of copies across dozens of systems simultaneously.
Beyond direct sales, library placement creates a different kind of reader than retail. Library readers tend to read broadly across genres and are often influential recommenders within their communities. A book that circulates well in public libraries generates holds lists, which are one of the clearest signals to librarians that a title deserves additional copies and continued stocking.
Library placement also signals credibility. Authors who can list library holdings in their author bio and press materials present differently to media, speaking event organizers, and retailers than authors without that presence.
How Libraries Choose Books: Understanding the Selection Process
To get your book into libraries, you first need to understand how libraries decide what to buy. This process is called collection development, and it is managed by professional librarians and library selection committees who work within defined budgets and acquisition policies. Libraries do not buy every book submitted to them. They make selection decisions based on several factors.
- Professional reviews: It is one of the most important factors in many library acquisition decisions. A favorable review in Library Journal, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, or Kirkus Reviews carries significant weight with librarians and often triggers purchase consideration even for books the library had not previously been aware of. These publications review both traditionally published and self-published titles, though self-published titles face a higher barrier to review consideration.
- Patron requests: They drive a meaningful portion of library acquisitions. When library patrons request a specific title, many library systems have a policy of purchasing it if it meets basic collection criteria. This is one of the most direct ways to get a self-published book into a specific library.
- Local author programs: Many public libraries maintain active interest in stocking books by local authors. If you live in the community the library serves, your local connection is a genuine advantage in getting your book considered.
- Distributor catalogs: They are how most libraries discover books at scale. If your book is available through a major library distributor, it appears in the catalogs that librarians use for selection research. More on this below.
- Awards and recognition: Recognition for books that have received notable awards, starred reviews, or significant media coverage; library acquisition often follows without any direct outreach from the author.
Book Distribution to Libraries: The Role of Wholesalers and Distributors
The most important practical step in getting your book into libraries is ensuring it is available through the distribution channels that libraries actually use to purchase books.
Most libraries do not buy books directly from authors or publishers. They purchase through wholesalers and distributors who aggregate large catalogues of titles and fulfill orders efficiently. The two most important for library distribution in the United States are Baker and Taylor and Ingram.
Baker and Taylor
Baker and Taylor (now part of Follett) is one of the largest library wholesalers in the United States. Historically it was the dominant library supplier, and while the library market has become more competitive, Baker and Taylor still supplies a significant number of public and school libraries.
To get your book into Baker and Taylor’s catalogue, the most reliable route is publishing through IngramSpark and enabling library and wholesale distribution. Baker and Taylor draws from Ingram’s inventory for many of its fulfillment operations.
Ingram and IngramSpark
Ingram Content Group is the largest book distributor in the world. IngramSpark is Ingram’s self-publishing platform, and books published through IngramSpark are automatically listed in Ingram’s catalogue and available to libraries, bookshops, and retailers globally.
For self-published authors, publishing through IngramSpark is the single most important step for library distribution. Without IngramSpark distribution, your book simply does not appear in the catalogues that most libraries use to discover and purchase titles.
To publish through IngramSpark, you need:
- A properly formatted interior file
- A professional cover file meeting IngramSpark’s technical specifications
- An ISBN that you own (not an Amazon-assigned ISBN)
- A setup fee per title format (typically $25 to $49, though fees are sometimes waived during promotional periods)
You will also need to set a library and wholesale discount. Libraries typically expect a discount of 30% to 55% off the retail price. Setting your discount too low makes your book effectively invisible to librarians building purchase lists. Most IngramSpark self-publishers set a 55% discount to be competitive with traditionally published titles.
OverDrive and Libby for eBooks and Audiobooks
OverDrive is the dominant platform for digital library lending in the United States and many other countries. Libby is OverDrive’s reader-facing app used by millions of library patrons. Getting your eBook into library lending systems means getting it into OverDrive.
Self-published authors can access OverDrive through aggregators. Draft2Digital has an established relationship with OverDrive and distributes eBooks to library systems through their platform. When you distribute through Draft2Digital and opt into library distribution, your eBook becomes available for library purchase through OverDrive and other library digital platforms like Bibliotheca. Findaway Voices, which is now part of Spotify, serves as an audiobook distributor to library systems and is worth considering if you have an audiobook edition of your title.
How to Get a Self-Published Book Into Libraries: A Step-by-Step Approach
The path for self-published authors requires more active effort than the traditional publishing route, but it is genuinely achievable. Here is a practical sequence.
Step 1: Ensure Your Book Meets Basic Library Standards
Libraries have baseline expectations for the books they stock. Your book needs to look and read professionally. This means:
- Professional book cover design that matches genre conventions
- Professional interior formatting with consistent fonts, proper margins, and clean typography
- ISBN that you own (not a KDP-assigned free ISBN)
- A retail price that reflects the book’s length and genre
- An accurate and complete metadata record (title, subtitle, author, description, categories)
A self-published book that looks homemade is unlikely to be selected regardless of the content quality. Libraries stock books that library patrons will be satisfied with, and patron satisfaction includes the reading and handling experience.
Step 2: Publish Through IngramSpark
Set up your print edition on IngramSpark and enable global distribution to library systems. This is the foundational step that makes library acquisition possible at scale. Without IngramSpark distribution, you are dependent on individual outreach to each library, which is time-consuming and unlikely to produce meaningful results.
Step 3: Pursue Professional Reviews
Submit your book for review to the professional library review publications well before your publication date. Most require advance review copies sent several months before the book’s release.
- Library Journal reviews adult fiction and nonfiction and accepts self-published titles through their Self-e program
- Booklist is the American Library Association’s review publication
- Kirkus Reviews offers a paid review option for self-published titles (currently around $400 to $500) that, if positive, carries weight with librarians
- School Library Journal focuses on children’s and young adult titles
A positive review in any of these publications meaningfully increases your book’s chances of library acquisition without any direct outreach from you.
Step 4: Submit Directly to Your Local Library System
Your local public library is the most accessible starting point. Most library systems have an acquisition or collection development department and many have a process for local author submissions.
Contact your library’s collection development librarian directly. Introduce yourself as a local author, explain your book briefly, and ask about their process for reviewing locally authored titles. Many libraries have programs specifically designed to support local authors and are genuinely receptive to direct outreach when it is done professionally.
Offer to donate a copy for review consideration or to donate a copy for their local author collection. A physical copy in a librarian’s hands is more persuasive than any email description.
Step 5: Encourage Patron Requests
Ask your readers to request your book at their local libraries. This is one of the most effective and underused strategies available to self-published authors.
When a patron submits a request for a specific title, most library systems have a policy of evaluating it for acquisition if the book meets their collection criteria. A patron request carries real weight in the selection process because it demonstrates existing demand within the library’s community.
Include a call to action in your author newsletter, social media, and at events asking readers to request your book at their local library. Provide the exact title, author name, ISBN, and publisher information so requests can be processed efficiently.
Step 6: Apply for Library Consortium Programs
Library consortium programs aggregate purchasing across multiple library systems to negotiate better pricing. Some consortia have programs specifically designed to include independently published titles in their collections. The American Library Association’s BookList and various state library associations sometimes facilitate programs that include self-published titles. Research the state library association in your primary market to understand what programs may be available.
How to Get Your Book into School Libraries
School library acquisitions work somewhat differently from public library acquisitions, and the path in depends on your book’s age category and subject matter.
School librarians, also called teacher-librarians or media specialists, select books based on curriculum relevance, age appropriateness, and reading level in addition to the general selection criteria that apply in public libraries.
For children’s and middle grade titles, School Library Journal is the most important professional review publication. A positive review in SLJ is a strong catalyst for school library acquisitions across the country.
Author school visits are one of the most effective strategies for generating school library placements and sales simultaneously. When you visit a school, present your book to students, and offer a compelling educational program, school librarians often purchase copies for the library and facilitate book orders for students who want their own copy.
For educational nonfiction, aligning your book’s content with curriculum standards and including teaching resources or discussion guides makes it significantly more attractive to school librarians and classroom teachers who influence library purchasing decisions.
How to Get Your Book Into University and Academic Libraries
University and academic library acquisitions are driven primarily by academic relevance to the institution’s programs and faculty research interests. This market is most accessible for nonfiction authors whose books address topics studied at university level.
Academic libraries purchase through GOBI Library Solutions (formerly YBP Library Services), now part of EBSCO. GOBI is the primary selection and acquisitions platform used by academic libraries globally. Your book appears in GOBI if it is distributed through Ingram.
Faculty recommendations carry enormous weight in academic library acquisitions. If your book is relevant to courses taught at a university, reaching out to relevant faculty members and offering review copies can result in course adoptions and library acquisition recommendations that the faculty member submits directly to the library.
University press titles have an inherent advantage in academic library acquisitions because of their peer review credentials. For self-published academic or intellectual nonfiction, building relationships with relevant faculty and professional associations is the most effective path into university library collections.
How to Submit Your Book to a Library for Consideration: A Practical Checklist
Here is a practical checklist for authors submitting their book to libraries directly:
- ISBN assigned (owned by author, not Amazon-assigned)
- IngramSpark distribution enabled at 55% discount
- Professional cover and interior formatting complete
- Book listed in Ingram catalogue with complete metadata
- eBook distributed through Draft2Digital or similar to library digital platforms
- Review copies submitted to relevant professional review publications
- Local library system contacted with professional outreach letter
- Readers encouraged to request the book at their libraries
- Library marketing materials prepared (one-page sell sheet with cover, ISBN, and description)
- Book registered in WorldCat (OCLC’s global library catalogue) if possible
Key Takeaways
- IngramSpark distribution at a competitive discount (55%) is the foundational requirement for library distribution at scale.
- Professional reviews in Library Journal, Booklist, and School Library Journal drive library acquisitions more effectively than direct outreach.
- Local public library systems are the most accessible starting point for direct outreach and often have programs specifically for local authors.
- Patron requests are an underused but effective strategy: asking readers to request your book at their local library generates real acquisition consideration.
- eBook library distribution goes through platforms like OverDrive via aggregators including Draft2Digital.
- School libraries prioritize curriculum relevance and age appropriateness alongside standard book quality criteria.
- Academic libraries are most accessible for nonfiction through Ingram distribution, GOBI listing, and faculty recommendation programs.
Let Visionary Publishers Help You Reach More Readers
Getting your book into libraries is one piece of a broader distribution and marketing strategy. If you want professional guidance on how to build your book’s presence across retail, library, and digital channels, working with experienced online book marketing service providers makes every part of the process more effective. Visionary Publishers supports authors at every stage of the publishing and marketing journey. For authors who are still in the earlier stages of preparation, understanding how to submit a book to a publisher is a helpful next step in building your overall publishing strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get my book into public libraries?
The most effective approach combines IngramSpark distribution (which makes your book available through library wholesalers), professional reviews in library trade publications like Library Journal and Booklist, direct outreach to your local library system, and encouraging your readers to request the book at their libraries. Libraries primarily discover and purchase books through established distribution channels, so ensuring your book is visible in those channels is the essential first step.
Can self-published authors get their books into libraries?
Yes. Self-published authors can get their books into libraries, though it requires more active effort than the traditional publishing route. Publishing through IngramSpark and enabling library distribution is the foundational step. Pursuing professional reviews, making patron requests part of your reader engagement strategy, and doing direct outreach to local library systems all improve your chances significantly.
Do you need an ISBN to get your book into libraries?
Yes. Libraries require an ISBN to catalogue and order books. You need an ISBN that you own, purchased from your national ISBN agency (Bowker in the US, Nielsen in the UK). An Amazon-assigned free ISBN cannot be used for distribution through IngramSpark or other library supply channels. Each format of your book needs its own ISBN.
How do I submit my book to a library for consideration?
Contact the library’s collection development department directly. Introduce yourself, describe your book briefly, including genre, audience, and ISBN, and ask about their process for reviewing submission requests. Offer a complimentary review copy. Many libraries have local author programs that are specifically designed to give locally authored titles additional consideration. Following up professionally after your initial contact is appropriate if you have not heard back within four to six weeks.
Do libraries buy books directly from authors?
Some libraries do purchase directly from authors, particularly for local author collections. However, most library purchasing runs through wholesalers and distributors like Ingram and Baker and Taylor. Having your book available through IngramSpark ensures it can be ordered through standard library procurement systems rather than requiring libraries to set up individual vendor relationships with you as an independent author.
How can I get my book into school and university libraries?
For school libraries, pursue a review in School Library Journal, develop curriculum-aligned teaching materials for your book, and offer school author visits. For university libraries, enable IngramSpark distribution so your book appears in GOBI (the primary academic library selection platform) and reach out to faculty at relevant departments to offer review copies and propose faculty recommendation submissions.
What do librarians look for when selecting books?
Librarians look for professional quality (cover, formatting, and production values), relevance to their community’s interests and needs, professional reviews in recognized library trade publications, availability through standard library supply channels at appropriate discounts, accurate and complete cataloging metadata, and evidence of reader interest such as patron requests or hold activity on similar titles. Local relevance and connection to community programs also factor into many public library selection decisions.
Can I donate my book to a public library?
Yes, you can donate a copy to a library, but donation does not guarantee that the library will add it to its circulating collection. Libraries have the right to accept a donation and then dispose of it, send it to a book sale, or decline to catalog it if it does not meet their collection criteria. A donation can serve as a review copy that gives a librarian the opportunity to evaluate your book, but it is most effective when combined with a professional outreach letter and a specific request for collection consideration.
Sources
- IngramSpark — ingramspark.com (distribution options and library discount guidance)
- OverDrive/Libby — overdrive.com (library digital lending platform documentation)
- American Library Association — ala.org (collection development and Booklist information)
- Library Journal — libraryjournal.com (review submission guidelines)
- School Library Journal — slj.com (review and submission information)
- EBSCO/GOBI Library Solutions — ebsco.com (academic library acquisitions platform)
- Draft2Digital — draft2digital.com (library digital distribution)
