5 Reasons Why Selling to Libraries is a Top Priority

5 Reasons Why Selling to Libraries is a Top Priority 5 Reasons Why Selling to Libraries Needs to be a Top Priority Amy Collins is a publishing industry expert, author of The Write Way, and founder of New Shelves Books, one of the fastest growing book distribution, sales, and marketing companies in North America. As a former sales director for a large book and magazine publisher, she has sold to Barnes Noble, Target, Costco, and many other major chains.If you are looking for a new source of income from your self-published book, libraries are something you really should consider. Libraries in the US are experiencing a huge surge in foot traffic. Public librarians are seeing a LOT more patrons, and their check out rates are skyrocketing. The good news? Â  Their budgets are going up too. In many cities, the annual budget for libraries is increasing - new locations are opening, and old ones are reopening at historical rates.US libraries spend over 3 billion dollars each year on materials (books, magazines, e-journals), so you should consider using some of your sales and marketing time to present yo ur book to librarians. US Libraries spend over $3b a year on materials. How can #selfpub authors get a piece of the pie? 1. Fiction and Children’s books are the top categories, but non-fiction is catching upAccording to the ALA Materials Survey published in March 2015, the most popular categories in public libraries were Children’s picture books, general fiction, mystery/thrillers, cookbooks and memoir/bio. The complete list is here.2. Librarians want more books that drive traffic into their libraries.When more people come to a library, it demonstrates the need for that library in the community. Â  As a result, budgets will go up; they will hire more staff, and everyone is happy. For independent authors, this is also great news: 92% of librarians surveyed between May 2016 – July 2016 by New Shelves stated that they regularly buy books from self-published authors and small presses. 3. eBooks and audiobooks are the fastest growing type of book purchases.Ebook and audiobooks are a terrific way to get your book into the hands of avid readers. Â  Libraries spend over 25% of their budgets on ebooks and audiobook downloads. These types of books cost you far less to sell because there are no printing costs. Focus on your ebook and audiobook sales to libraries and make even MORE money.To learn more about how to get your ebooks into libraries, read our master guide on ebook distribution!4. Sell to one library, sell to manyOnce one library has your book and the check-out rates start showing up on reports, other librarians will start ordering your book. The growth and spread of your book’s sales and popularity will start happening while you are not even looking! Get your book into a few libraries within a system and watch out for your new sales.5. You can do this with just a few simple materials.There are materials that Librarians can use to decide if your book is something they want to buy. These items are:a one-page sales sheet with your book’s details and description,a one-page sheet about the author that showcases what a great person you are,a marketing plan and an outline showing all the ways you are going to promote the book,a list of things you are willing to do to help the library promote the book and your topic.Create an email that focuses on the librarian's goals instead of on how great your book is. The proper attitude, the right tone, and appropriate submission materials will get you much further than your belief that your book should be a best-seller.Have you ever considered selling your book to a library, or does it seem like too much effort for too little return? Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments below.