Guest Post: Tips on getting small press books into your local libraries

A few months ago I made a NYRB display at the library where I work and was shocked at how few titles we had. I have no power over what books get ordered (though I make lots of suggestions!), so unfortunately I can't just wave my hand and make it change.  Fear not fellow readers, there is hope.

One of the best ways to get NYRB Classics into libraries is for patrons to request them.  Librarians responsible for catalogue development are primarily concerned with three things: circulation numbers, budget, and shelf space.  Most ideas for purchases come from reviews in major publications like The New York Times Book Review or Library Journal, but patron book requests are also taken into account.  It’s through these requests that small press books can get onto library shelves.

Anarchist publisher Crimethinc has a printable list of their titles with all the information people need to request them at a library.  This list is sent out with every order, and it works.  Without any advertising or reviews in major publications Crimethinc books are found in libraries all over the country (according to Worldcat their best selling title is in over 180 libraries).

The non-profit imprint Dalkey Archive Press works with libraries to offer discounted prices and even donates their titles to libraries.  While donation is out of reach for most small presses, they can develop special pricing for public libraries.  This is getting more and more important as library book budgets shrink.

Once small press books are in libraries, it’s up to library workers to get them into the hands of patrons, but we can worry about getting them to fly off the shelves once we get them on the shelves.

—Don Antenen

Update: We had inaccurately described Mr. Antenen as a librarian in the original post. We apologize for the misidentification.

all illustrations:
lantern slides from the New York Public Library's digital collection
via flickr's the Commons

Comments

[Wireless fanatic]

I've never worked in a library but I was pretty sure that what books are ordered depends only on local librarians. Of course they should take under consideration demographic and taste of the people who borrow books. Unfortunately it's more complicated that I thought. Good article.

[Don Antenen]

Judy, thank you for your comment.

Indeed, the three criteria I listed are not the only criteria librarians consider when ordering books, though I think understanding the demographics of a community falls under 'circulation' (that is, how often books will be checked out). I also mention reviews.

The question of a balanced collection is precisely the question I am writing about. Right now the balance is weighted heavily against small press books and books of high literary quality in general.

Something I did not bring up is the danger of librarians being removed from the collection development process entirely. In New York City, for example, collection development is done centrally, so librarians no longer have the ability to cater their collections to the community they serve. The Hawaiian public library system established an infamous precedent in the 1990's when they outsourced collection development to corporate book distribution giant Baker and Taylor. Though this decision was later scaled back, the fact that Hawaiian libraries would even consider this as an option speaks volumes to the current state of libraries nationally.

It is little wonder that fewer and fewer people read when most of what is offered to them in schools and libraries is not worth reading. In my limited experience people will check out quality literature - even, dare I say it, challenging literature - when it is offered to them and presented well. Indeed, the promotion of such work is often met with more enthusiasm than the endless catering to the lowest common denominator. This last bit has been said many times before, of course.

[Judy Gann]

I'm a librarian in a large public library and give workshops on "Marketing to Public Libraries" at writers' conferences throughout the United States.

Yes, "circulation numbers, budget, & shelf space" are considered when making purchasing decisions. But, providing a balanced collection, the demographics of a community, and reviews are just as important when deciding whether or not to purchase a particular title.

In addition to requesting titles, there are several things authors can do to market their books to public libraries. I'd like to refer your readers to a series I did on this topic on the "We CAN Promote Our Books" blog at http://tinyurl.com/ce7u3c

Don & Terry, thank you for addressing this important topic.