It may seem difficult, but it’s possible to develop connections between young booklovers and writers in their own communities. School libraries are the answers.
Young readers are always excited to meet an author in person. Writers have an opportunity to facilitate this by working with schools and libraries. It might seem challenging, but with some phone calls, emails, and/or personal visits, it’s possible to develop connections between readers and writers.
School Librarians
A school librarian helps students improve their reading comprehension through various activities, and encourages them to find interesting materials to further their interests. School librarians work closely with teachers and students in finding educational resources.
Requirements for working as a school librarian differ vastly from State-to-State.
Some states have no regulations regarding school libraries. Others require a certified school library media specialist in every school district, a half-time or full-time certified library specialist in schools depending on the number of students.
Connecting with school librarians
The last year I taught in Mission Viejo, California, the administration of the elementary school I worked in decided to run the library without a librarian. The library was then maintained by a media specialist instead. Each teacher scheduled time to bring their students to the library weekly.
In cases such as this, I suggest contacting the library media specialist as you would the school librarian.
Ways to contact are:
Social media
Email
By school district
By individual school
Phone call
Personal visit
Prior to stopping by the school library, call and make an appointment. Librarians have schedules packed with students, meetings, filing, and paperwork. Plus, there is the case of security. The main office personnel are the gatekeepers. One cannot breeze on through the school without stopping, showing identification, stating specifically who you will be seeing, why, and logging the time in as well as out.
Finding school librarians
In the US, each state has a library association for school librarians. Perform a search for <state> Library Association and find their social media links.
Many librarians use Facebook, Twitter(X), LinkedIn, and TikTok. You can contact local school librarians through social media and query them regarding school visits.
Talk to your fellow writers
One of the members of a writers marketing group I joined happened to be a school librarian. That was a wonderful connection. I went to her school as a volunteer for an evening literary event and met the principal. Becoming known as a person willing to assist the local community helps a great deal. The school was happy to have me give talks at the school library several times.
School librarians have monthly, district meetings. If you can get on their agenda, it’s possible to speak briefly to the group about who you are and what you can do.
What to do once you’ve found libraries to visit
Chat with the school librarian about the grades you will speak to and what their teachers would like. Teachers have a daunting job and cover a lot of ground over the school year. If you can lighten their load for thirty or so minutes, you are golden. If you expand upon what their students are learning in the classroom, you have added diamonds to that gold.
Library budgets
Often, there isn’t a huge budget for school libraries. The district or individual schools decide how much money is available, what type of books are preferred, and who are trusted vendors. To be a trusted vendor you need a Federal tax ID, also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can apply online through the IRS website. The application is free and does not take long. You’ll also need to be able to print invoices.
Librarians find creative methods for funding
One school librarian who loved my work used part of the grant money she obtained for book purchases to buy a few classroom-sized sets for the school. I offered a good discount, and we were both pleased with the transaction. I had offered a free copy of each of the books in the series as I have done in the past at other school libraries, but she refused and made the purchase instead.
Public Librarians
When I thought of ways to disrupt, shake things up to get Indie Authors’ work seen, my first impulse was to look at the public library system. A library shelf is a fantastic place to find new authors. Who wouldn’t enjoy the thrill of seeing their books on a library shelf for the public to peruse, read, love, and purchase at a later date?
With this in mind, I contacted my local librarians, with whom I have good relations. I lead a critique group that meets there and ran a city and county-wide poetry contest for two years, using the library as the venue for our winners’ celebratory luncheon and awards ceremony.
While visiting the library, I mentioned to a few librarians what I had in mind, which they all felt was a great idea. I sent a request to interview anyone who would be available, giving a few months’ notice as I understand the wheels grind slowly at the library.
Crickets. No response.
After no response I made a few calls, left a few messages.
Crickets. Still no response.
Prior to a critique meeting, I chatted with two of the library assistants. After I explained my concern, and not wanting to seem like a stalker, I discovered that there were several major changes with technology as well as changes in staffing. People were jumping ship. Hence, no time for interviews.
What I’ve learned through interactions with public librarians
They cannot take a book from you and place it on the shelf.
No matter how wonderful your book is and how fantastic the reviews are, there is a system librarians must follow.
Books, eBooks, journals, magazines, and videos are chosen taking into consideration:
the make-up of the community
requests for the title
and if the library already owns other books that are by that author or a similar topic.
Then there is the concern of cost. Librarians must consider their budget.
The library patrons may request books, but the library director makes the decision regarding what to buy.
The book must be available in places where they are able to purchase. In the case of my local library, books must be available at IngramSpark or Baker & Taylor.
Individual libraries are responsible for their own book purchases and collections. There is no agency that chooses and distributes books and other library resources to all libraries.
D2D, Draft2Digital, distributes to libraries. If you have an account with them and a library patron is interested in your book, you can be compensated for the patron’s borrowing of your work. Baker & Taylor and IngramSpark are among other companies that distribute to libraries.
For more information on getting Indie books into libraries check here.
Final thoughts
Libraries promoting literacy. We, local authors, are part of that literacy. If we work together, we can connect with the public as well as help students to become successful readers. This is a common goal of writers and librarians.
Do you have a working relationship with your local library? Have you ever requested a book for them to purchase? Would you consider an author visit at a school?
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About Ellen
Author, speaker, and former teacher, Ellen L. Buikema has written non-fiction for parents, and The Adventures of Charlie Chameleon chapter book series with stories encouraging the development of empathy—sprinkling humor wherever possible. Her Works in Progress are The Hobo Code, YA historical fiction and The Crystal Key, MG Magical Realism/ Sci-Fi, a glaze of time travel.
12 comments on “How Indie Authors can Connect with Librarians”
My library welcomes me bringing them a copy of my new books to put on their shelves. So check with your local library--they may have a different take on supporting local authors.
Our library also accepts free books from local authors and puts them on a special shelf, way in the back.
All genres are mixed, children's books are in with the adult books. I've asked about a shelf in the children's section for children's books written by local authors.
The wheels turn very slowly.
Where did your library shelve your books? It's great that they are accepting books by local authors. Congratulations!
My library holds a contest to get your Indie book into their collection called The Writers Project. I have had two of my middle grade novels chosen for the collection. Some of my local libraries also host a local authors book fair where you can sign and sell your books and I have participated in a couple of those fairs.
Great ideas, Ellen. A local friend of mine is an author of children's books. She's had more success in reaching schools by including a one sheet when she sends them emails or drops by. She also does presentations, so when appropriate, she also includes a list of topics she can cover.
Your friend has a great idea with the addition of the one sheet.
I wonder if she is able to sell her books to the students while she is there. Often times that is allowed.
Thanks, Ellen, for for a post filled with wonderful ideas. I think I am most excited about the idea of being a guest speaker at schools. When I was speaking regularly to all levels of public school, it was very clear that that teachers, administrators, and students clamor for guest speakers of any kind. What a great way to participate in promoting literacy!
I also loved school visits. The kids are great! When I bring Sock Puppet Tim along, he is a big hit with the students as well as staff. Maybe I should do a Tim post one of theses days.
I am surprised to learn that libraries in the US do not pay a lending right to authors. This is not the case in Canada, as long as the author registers their book. It should be the case worldwide, as it is with music.
I was at an event and asked how I could be included the for next year, and I was asked to email the librarian in charge. She replied and said I could be included next year--I had included my bio, published books' links, and other pertinent information. Let's see if I get the invite in February.
In our district, it would probably be hard for a non-parent/guardian of a student to have access to the school librarian, in the library, because of security issues.
My library welcomes me bringing them a copy of my new books to put on their shelves. So check with your local library--they may have a different take on supporting local authors.
Hi Sylvie,
Our library also accepts free books from local authors and puts them on a special shelf, way in the back.
All genres are mixed, children's books are in with the adult books. I've asked about a shelf in the children's section for children's books written by local authors.
The wheels turn very slowly.
Where did your library shelve your books? It's great that they are accepting books by local authors. Congratulations!
My library holds a contest to get your Indie book into their collection called The Writers Project. I have had two of my middle grade novels chosen for the collection. Some of my local libraries also host a local authors book fair where you can sign and sell your books and I have participated in a couple of those fairs.
Hi Mindy,
That's fantastic to be chosen for their book collection. Congratulations!
How wonderful to have the library host Indie author book fairs! I hope that more do the same.
Great ideas, Ellen. A local friend of mine is an author of children's books. She's had more success in reaching schools by including a one sheet when she sends them emails or drops by. She also does presentations, so when appropriate, she also includes a list of topics she can cover.
Great ideas here. So informative. Thank you.
Hi Lynette,
Your friend has a great idea with the addition of the one sheet.
I wonder if she is able to sell her books to the students while she is there. Often times that is allowed.
Hi Bryan,
You are welcome! I'm glad that the suggestions are useful.
Thanks, Ellen, for for a post filled with wonderful ideas. I think I am most excited about the idea of being a guest speaker at schools. When I was speaking regularly to all levels of public school, it was very clear that that teachers, administrators, and students clamor for guest speakers of any kind. What a great way to participate in promoting literacy!
So many goodies from Santa WITS this year!!
Hi Jennifer,
I'm happy that the post is useful!
I also loved school visits. The kids are great! When I bring Sock Puppet Tim along, he is a big hit with the students as well as staff. Maybe I should do a Tim post one of theses days.
I am surprised to learn that libraries in the US do not pay a lending right to authors. This is not the case in Canada, as long as the author registers their book. It should be the case worldwide, as it is with music.
I found this a very useful article.
I was at an event and asked how I could be included the for next year, and I was asked to email the librarian in charge. She replied and said I could be included next year--I had included my bio, published books' links, and other pertinent information. Let's see if I get the invite in February.
In our district, it would probably be hard for a non-parent/guardian of a student to have access to the school librarian, in the library, because of security issues.