Hi, Angela –

I appreciated the advice from a librarian on how not to market your book to libraries. My favorite one was about not being overly aggressive in marketing your book to the library. I know that I have the opposite problem; however, now I know that this may be a good thing! I also liked the first suggestion of not demanding that the library buy your book.

In California, rural libraries have a ZIP Book program. For $1.00, you can request a book that your library does not have available. The book must be a published book that costs under $35.00. The library will then buy the book, and ship it to your home. When you are finished with the book, you return it to the library with a provided “gift slip,” fill out a survey on the book, and the book, if approved, will either become added to the library collection, or donated to the book shop.

Thanks for the article,
Kathy M.

Editor’s Note:

This PDF file provides additional information about the Zip Books Program:

https://www.placer.ca.gov/~/media/lib/documents/HowToZip-flyr.pdf

RELATED:

How to Market Your Book to Libraries

More CreateSpace Complaints

Library “Gifts” And Copyright Harvesting – AUTHOR BEWARE

Whoo-Whee! Now, That’s One Snotty Librarian!