Where Writers Can Learn How To Get Published & Published Authors Can Promote Their Books for Free

Selling Your Book to Libraries


I'll make a guess that your dream is to see your book on the New York Times Bestseller list. To walk by a Borders or Barnes and Noble and know your book is stocked on the shelves. Those are great dreams and it is important to have a big vision for your book sales. But there is one market that you should not overlook - the public and school library market. Libraries have large budgets and some regional systems have buyers that purchase on behalf of 20 or more locations.

Here are a few websites you'll want to review. These are just a small sampling of the many library groups and library sales companies around the country. Many of the groups have exhibitor lists that are a great lead source.
  • The American Library Association - every year they hold an annual meeting where you can exhibit and reach a large audience of library buyers. You can also view their exhibitor listing for the names of library sales groups who may be interested in selling your book.
  • Texas Library Association Annual Exhibit - the largest state library show in the country and a great way to meet librarians and sales reps.
  • Davidson Titles - a national group focusing on K-12 school and public library sales.
  • Follett - a large wholesaler that sells to schools, public libraries, and colleges.
  • Quality Books - a library distributor focusing on non-fiction titles.
  • Brodart - a large national library wholesaler.
  • Finterra - specializing in international sales only.

Aside from visiting every library in the US or around the world, how to do you reach the people in charge of buying the books? Did you know that there are book sales groups that specialize in selling to libraries? Or that the world's largest book wholesalers have departments of librarians on-staff to make recommendations to libraries, called "Collection Development Departments"? If this is new information to you, spend a little time learning about these groups. Usually they will request samples of your work for review and a short form that you'll need to fill out. But the cost of the free review copy, postage, and time spent following up can be well worth it.



If they select your book for promotion, it will be included on their title lists and you will be able to do special flyers or marketing. Expect smaller national and regional groups or sales representatives to take a more active role in promoting the title, while large wholesalers will expect you to do most of the promotion. Either way, you should have a sell sheet ready and a marketing plan to prove that you are serious about selling. Many of these groups also hold annual or semi-annual sales meetings to present new titles to their reps. You many want to ask if you can attend and meet the sales reps or do a short presentation. Expect to hear no more than yes, but persistence will pay off if you get a motivated group of sellers behind your book.