There is little doubt that libraries are a vital part of the fabric of society, even though their importance is in no way limited to books. Surveys over the years have shown a very interesting public viewpoint: even among consumers who respond that they rarely or never visit their local libraries, those same individuals still list access to public libraries as a critical need for communities.
But public libraries have faced criticism over the past few years for not keeping up with the changing face of publishing. While many libraries have gotten on board with ebook lending, digital media, and other revolutionary changes, they are still one of the major holdouts that indie authors struggle against. There’s a severe shortage of streamlined pathways for self-published authors to get their books into libraries, with many authors resorting to simply donating copies of their books and hoping they get put on the shelves (as opposed to being sold in the 25-cent paperback sale).
Fortunately, Biblioboard and self-e are working on changing that perception and building stronger bridges between local indie authors and their community libraries. With next month’s first annual Indie Author Day, libraries around the country will host one-day events aimed at bringing local readers and local authors together with book signings, speaking events, and even a digital event.
“During the first annual Indie Author Day on October 8, 2016, libraries from all over North America will host their own local author events with the support of the Indie Author Day team. In addition to these local programs, each library’s indie community will come together for an hour-long digital gathering at 2 pm Eastern featuring Q&A with writers, agents, and other industry leaders. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity for libraries and authors to connect on both local and global levels!”
This national event has grown from smaller local and regional events, and includes a number of ideas for libraries of any size to host an event. While the deadline to sign up for supported participation has passed, self-e strongly encourages libraries to host an event on a date of their choosing, and offers support for staging an independent event. Patrons whose local libraries are not hosting an event next month are still welcome to participate in the global webcast by clicking here.
Mercy Pilkington is a Senior Editor for Good e-Reader. She is also the CEO and founder of a hybrid publishing and consulting company.
