I've been to the library so often that I've sort of come to take it for granted. However, just as it can be a resource for study information (and hours of entertainment if you have a brain like mine), it can also be a publicity resource. I'm not near my first publishing of any thing yet but it recently struck me that most of the books I read as a child were because they had them at the library (I tend to be more wary of books marketed to teens and higher because they can have unnecessary content, but seriously, nearly all my beloved childhood stories were from the library). With this being the case, when you are published, why not donate a copy of your book to your local library? I plan to do so when my first book comes out. I might even send some to libraries further away. I just thought I'd share this thought in case any of you are looking to gain favor for your book or will be soon.

That is an excellent point, and an excellent idea.

That is a really great idea! I will remember that.

Do you need to donate? I'm sure you could, but aren't libraries supposed to buy books that people request? Now that I write that, it doesn't make sense, because I'd never have to buy another book in that case. Still, I've heard authors ask readers to ask their libraries to carry their books. Has anyone requested a library carry a book?

Honestly, the only new authors I've heard of having their books in the library have them there because they donated them. I will have to tap a librarian friend and ask her how public libraries go about their acquisitions, but I suspect it is tied up in a lot of red tape, seeing as they are taxpayer funded, at least here in the states.

I should donate one of my print copies to a local library when I get them...but I only get 5 author copies, so it becomes very tricky to strategize where those few copies go.

I have requested books at my library, and they have bought them in new for us without us having to give anything towards it. Also my sister ordered a DVD collection, and they bought that in for her as well.

I know someone who donated her self-published poetry book to our library, and they accepted it. I've also requested that our library buys a certain book, and they usually do so. Not always, though.

Our library is quite bad about not buying books that are requested. I've requested a couple as well as my mom and only one or two have actually been bought.

Sounds like it depends on the Library.

And on the people who run the Library. I'm fairly certain that the Toccoa library would not consider any suggestion given by my family.

In my experiences I've found that, yes, it varies by library. To my knowledge, all the local libraries I've ever had experience with allow requests. How fast those requests are processed, and whether or not they are often acted upon, would vary by library, available funds, popularity of the request... and so on.

I have considered donating my book to my local library - just haven't gotten myself organized yet. I've also had readers talk about ordering extra copies and donating it to their own library. However, someone here on HW asked their library to add my book and their library ordered three copies! I have the paperback edition of my book available through Amazon/CreateSpace's expanded distribution channel, which allows distributors, libraries, schools, etc. to order the book at a reduced price. I don't get a lot from the sale (and it takes forever for the sales to show up, or so it seems...), but to me that's a fair trade for getting my books in libraries and other distribution channels.

So if you're using CreateSpace, consider setting your list price such that you can enable expanded distribution. You never know when a library might want to order it, and it's good to have that option open!

Excellent point.