THE Group for Authors! discussion

Dear fellow authors,

I want my diverse-voiced books to reach new readers in small towns across America. I would like to donate 10 copies of my latest book to libraries in rural places. Is there a program you know of that accepts such donations or a mailing list of libraries across America?

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Have you checked with your local librarian? They probably have connections with many other libraries and would be appreciative of your offer.

Thank you, M.E.!

You're welcome!

The libraries where I live accept copies of books from authors who live in the area. They have some place in the library for that. You have to complete a form or something, I think. The other thing is to get your book on the shelf. For Maryland, you send in your book and a committee will review it. It takes about a year for the process. They will notify you should they select your book to be part of their collection. You will get a book number, and you can go see your book on the shelf in your community library. If your book is not selected, you can ask them to put it in the section for authors who live in the area.
Check with you library and see what you can do. In both cases you will have to give them copies of your book or books. Hope this helps.

I have given away dozens of copies of my novels over the years to small libraries. I have never had to fill out a form, and I have never had a librarian be anything but delighted to accept it. I always go in person, ask for the head librarian, and inscribe the book to the library on the title page. Many small town libraries do not have the funds to purchase a lot of fiction. The funds they do receive have to go to reference works and to upgrade their computer systems. One library near where I live only gets $400 a year from the city and applies for a grant from the state every year to match that. Still, that is only $800 a year. I personally spend more than that on books in a year's time. Give to rural libraries. They will love you for it.

Thank you, Cindy!

Just gift wrap your books, write a good cover letter to the library, college library, and even school libraries with a well-branded flyer attached, of your brand or logo.

Just mail them and most of the time they will accept it. It is the big town library or national libraries which will ask for forms, letters and make you wait.