10 Ways to Sell Your Book to Libraries

America's 123,000 libraries purchase nearly $2 billion worth of books annually, according to statistics from the American Library Association and the Book Industry Study Group. Here are some ways to capture your share of this lucrative market:

1. Get your book reviewed in a library journal.

2. Solicit testimonials from librarians.

3. Make sure your book is available through major library wholesalers.

4. Apply to work with a library distributor such as Quality Books or Unique Books, if you have a nonfiction book.

5. Contact libraries in your area to inquire about speaking opportunities and programs for local authors.

6. Send direct mail to libraries, either on your own or through co-operative mailings. Address mail to the Collection Development Librarian for your subject area, and include a flyer with book details and a list of wholesalers and distributors that carry your book.

7. Consider donating a sample copy of your book to a few top library systems, to encourage purchases for branch libraries.

8. Exhibit at library tradeshows through co-operative exhibit programs such as those offered through IBPA and other organizations.

9. Advertise in a library journal through a co-op ad.

10. Contact libraries in towns that you visit.

Nonfiction books are especially well suited to library sales. To sell fiction to libraries, it's helpful to have reviews in journals, book awards, or a strong local tie-in, such as a novel being set in the region.

For more in-depth information about selling to libraries, along with contact information for top library systems, wholesalers, and review journals, check out The Savvy Book Marketer's Guide to Selling to Libraries.