The Complete Guide to Getting Your Indie Book into Libraries
Picture this: your book, sitting proudly on library shelves across the country, being discovered by readers who might never have found it otherwise.
As an indie author, getting your book into libraries and bookstores might feel like scaling Mount Everest. But we promise you, it's not just possible – it's absolutely worth the climb.
Here's why: libraries are absolute goldmines for indie authors.
First off, they're literally in the business of connecting readers with books they'll love.
When a library stocks your book, you're not just making a single sale – you're potentially reaching hundreds of readers over the life of that copy.
Think about it: each borrowed book is like a free trial for potential fans who might then go on to buy their own copy or recommend it to friends.
But the benefits go way beyond just reader exposure.
Having your book in libraries gives you instant credibility as an author. It's like getting a stamp of approval from trusted professionals who know their stuff.
Libraries often host author events, book clubs, and reading programs like children's story time – all potential opportunities for you to connect with the local reading community.
And let's not forget that libraries pay fair prices for books and tend to take excellent care of them, meaning your book can keep finding new readers for years to come.
The best part? While it might seem overwhelming at first, getting your book into libraries isn't actually about moving mountains – it's about understanding the path that's already there and following it step by step.
With the right approach and understanding of how these wonderful institutions work, you can significantly increase your chances of success.
Trust us – your book belongs on those shelves, and we’re here to help you put it there.
Understanding the Library Landscape
Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand the scope of your potential market.
The United States has approximately 123,000 libraries, divided into four main categories:
Public Libraries
School Libraries
Academic Libraries
Special Libraries (including armed forces, government, and corporate institutions)
The Critical Role of Distributors for Getting Your Indie Book into Libraries
One of the most crucial insights for indie authors is that libraries, like bookstores, rarely purchase directly from publishers or authors. Instead, they rely on established book vendors like Ingram, Baker & Taylor, and Cengage.
Here's the thing about librarians (and we mean this in the most admiring way possible) - they're incredibly smart with their resources and time.
Instead of trying to juggle relationships with thousands of individual publishers and authors (which would be a hellscape of an inbox), they turn to these trusted distributors who've already done the heavy lifting of gathering and vetting books.
Also, in today's challenging climate, where libraries across the country are facing unprecedented scrutiny and book bans, librarians need to be more diligent than ever about documenting their acquisition processes and sourcing materials through reputable channels.
Working with established distributors helps provide that extra layer of professional validation they need.
Librarians know these companies, they trust them, and they're comfortable ordering through them.
It's much easier for them to click "order" from a familiar distributor than to take a chance on an unknown source - even if that source is a passionate author with an amazing book!
To position your book for library success, getting listed with a major distributor like Ingram and Baker & Taylor is essential.
This demonstrates professionalism and makes your book easily accessible to librarians through their preferred purchasing channels.
Once you're in these catalogs, your book becomes discoverable to all those 123,000 libraries we talked about earlier. That's a TON of potential shelf space for your book!
Professional Reviews: Why You Absolutely Need Them to Get Your Indie Book into Libraries
Let's talk about something that can make or break your book's journey into libraries - professional reviews.
You might be wondering why these matter so much, especially when your book already has great reader reviews on Amazon or Goodreads. Well, here's the inside scoop:
In today's challenging climate, librarians are facing unprecedented scrutiny over their book selections.
Due to recent concerns about book bans, many librarians now require 1-2 professional reviews before purchasing a book.
Image courtesy Pittsburg Public Library
These reviews help librarians ensure the content is appropriate for their patrons and defend their acquisition decisions if challenged.
Think of professional book reviews as your book's credentials.
Just like you'd want to see certifications from a doctor or references for a nanny, librarians look for trusted, third-party validation of the books they add to their collections.
It's not that they don't trust authors (they love us, really!) - it's that they need objective, professional reviews from sources they know and trust in order to purchase books for their shelves.
The good news? There's quite a roster of respected review sources out there for indie books.
Some are like the Harvard of book reviews - prestigious, hard to get into, but carrying tons of weight.
Others are more accessible but still pack a professional punch.
Here's a quick guide to the review sources that are available to indie authors that can help get your book into libraries:
1) Foreword Reviews
The only review magazine exclusively dedicated to indie and small press books since 1998.
Their reviews reach over 30,000 librarians and book buyers in their print magazine and over 1.5 million annually on their website.
A highly trusted source for library purchasing decisions, with a 25-year track record of championing independent publishing.
Dubbed 'The Architectural Digest' of book reviews, Foreword's beautifully designed magazine accepts only 100 reviews per issue from thousands of submissions - making each featured review highly prized by librarians.
2) Clarion
The gold standard for indie book reviews, providing guaranteed 4-6 week turnaround and an unprecedented level of analysis.
Every review includes a detailed critique examining plot, pacing, writing style, and market potential - exactly what librarians need to make purchasing decisions.
Reviews are distributed across major industry platforms including Amazon, Ingram, Baker & Taylor, and library databases.
Plus, authors receive marketing quotes and promotional tools to help position their books.
With a reputation for candid, thorough assessments, Clarion Reviews are particularly trusted by librarians seeking quality indie titles for their collections.
3) BlueInk Review
Features an impressive lineup of critics from major publishing houses and renowned media outlets, bringing traditional publishing expertise to indie book reviews.
Their thorough, objective reviews carry significant weight with librarians and industry professionals.
Select reviews are featured in Booklist - the American Library Association's review publication reaching over 60,000 library professionals nationwide.
🔥 Flash Deal: When you pair a BlueInk Review with a Clarion Review, you'll get the best of both worlds - two respected, comprehensive reviews that give your book maximum exposure to library markets.
Purchase both for just $745 (saving $299). This powerful combination provides the professional validation libraries require, plus double the marketing opportunities for your book.
4) BookLife
Publishers Weekly's designated platform for indie authors offers paid reviews with a 4-6 week turnaround time.
Reviews are written by PW reviewers and include a 300-word assessment of your book's strengths and weaknesses.
While the reviews appear on booklife.com, select reviews may be chosen for inclusion in Publishers Weekly's magazine and database.
Their standard review package includes the review plus basic marketing usage rights.
5) Kirkus Indie
A division of Kirkus Reviews that provides paid review services for indie authors, with reviews running 250-300 words. Authors can choose between standard service (7-9 weeks) or expedited service (4-6 weeks).
Each review includes a brief synopsis and balanced critique, with the option to keep reviews private if desired.
Reviews appear on kirkusreviews.com, and a select few are chosen for inclusion in Kirkus Reviews magazine.
Authors receive permission to quote from their reviews in marketing materials.
6) Midwest Book Review
Operating since 1976, this organization focuses on reviewing independently published books with no review fee (though they request a processing fee for mailed submissions).
Reviews run approximately 200-400 words and appear in their monthly book review publication, reaching a subscriber base of several thousand libraries, publishers, and booksellers.
Reviews are archived on their website and distributed through their newsletter.
While their reach is smaller than some other review sources, they maintain several specialized review divisions including children's books, genre fiction, and academic titles.
7) IndieReader
Founded in 2009, this review service caters exclusively to indie authors with reviews running 400-500 words.
They offer both a standard review package and a "Pro Critique" option which includes a more detailed analysis.
Reviews are completed within 7-9 weeks and include a numerical rating system using their IR Star scale.
Reviews that receive high ratings (4-5 stars) earn the IR Approved designation and may be featured in their monthly Best Of roundup.
8) Reader's Favorite
A review service offering free and paid review options, with turnaround times ranging from 2-8 weeks depending on the selected package.
Reviews are approximately 400-500 words and appear on their website.
Their paid packages include marketing materials and a wider distribution network.
While they're best known for their annual book award contest that receives entries from both indie authors and major publishers, they maintain a pool of over 1,000 reviewers including industry professionals, journalists, and educators.
Making the Most of Your Review Strategy
Now that you know where to submit your book for reviews, let's talk about how to make the most of these opportunities. The key to success is planning ahead - way ahead!
While pre-publication review sources like Foreword Reviews are highly competitive (they select only 100 reviews from thousands of submissions), don't worry if you've already published.
Services like Clarion offer guaranteed reviews with the same professional quality and library impact.
Your Review Game Plan in 3 Simple Steps
1) Start your review planning at least 6 months before publication if possible.
Create a submission calendar and budget that makes sense for your goals.
While most high-impact reviews require an investment, consider it part of your marketing strategy - just like your cover design or editing.
2) When you're ready to submit, make it count.
Include a polished sell sheet and make the most of your metadata.
Be strategic about where you submit first, targeting the most influential sources for your specific genre and audience.
The good news? Most review sources accept simultaneous submissions, so you can have several reviews in progress at once.
3) Once those reviews start coming in, make them work for you.
Keep copies of everything and create a professional review sheet.
These reviews aren't just for libraries - they're powerful marketing tools. Feature them in your metadata, sell sheet, social media posts, Facebook and BookBub ads, author website, and everywhere else.
Remember: in today's publishing climate, having multiple professional reviews isn't just a nice bonus - it's often necessary for library consideration.
Each positive review builds your book's credibility and gives librarians the documentation they need to confidently add your book to their collections.
Why Metadata is a Must for Getting Your Indie Book into Libraries
Let's talk about something that might sound technical but is actually pretty simple - and incredibly powerful for getting your book into libraries.
Think of metadata as your book's digital fingerprint. It's how librarians find your book, understand what it's about, and decide if it's right for their collection, often before they even see the cover!
Here's what's really interesting: librarians are like detectives when it comes to metadata.
They're searching for very specific things to match their community's needs.
Maybe they're looking for books about California history, or middle-grade novels featuring diverse characters, or cookbooks focusing on regional cuisine.
Your metadata is what helps them discover your book when they're on these missions.
So, what exactly do you need? Let's break it down:
First up, BISAC codes - think of these as your book's genre DNA.
You get to choose three, so make them count! Be specific.
If you've written a historical romance set in Victorian London, don't just choose "Romance" - dig deeper into those historical and geographical subcategories.
Your book description needs to be more than just a back-cover blurb.
Read More: Making Sense of Your Book’s Metadata
Include those key details librarians are searching for: themes, educational tie-ins, or special features that make your book valuable for their collection.
Age range information is crucial - and we're not just talking "adult" or "children's."
Be specific about reading and comprehension levels.
Is your middle-grade novel perfect for advanced 8-year-old readers? Say that!
Don't forget regional connections - librarians love these!
If your mystery novel is set in Seattle, or you're a well-known local author in Minnesota, that's golden information that helps librarians build their local interest sections.
Remember: good metadata isn't just filling in boxes - it's creating a digital roadmap that helps librarians discover your book.
Take the time to get it right, and you've given your book a much better chance at finding its way onto library shelves.
Make the Most of Library Opportunities: Timing and Programming
Want to know a secret about libraries? They're always looking for great programming, and they love working with authors who understand their community's needs!
Libraries are more than just book repositories - they're vibrant community centers constantly seeking engaging events, whether it's author readings, workshops, book club discussions, or themed presentations.
Think beyond the basic book reading (though those are great too!).
Could you offer a writing workshop? A discussion about your book's themes? A local history presentation?
Many libraries are especially interested in programs that align with their current initiatives, whether that's literacy programs, cultural celebrations, or specific themes like mystery month or poetry month.
When approaching libraries, come prepared with both programming ideas and evidence of your book's quality.
Professional reviews demonstrate that your work meets industry standards and gives librarians the documentation they need when considering both your book and your proposed programs.
Now, let's talk timing - because it really is everything in the library world.
Libraries typically plan their purchases around fiscal years and seasonal programming. Many make their biggest purchases in spring and fall, while planning summer and winter reading programs months in advance.
Understanding these cycles helps you approach libraries at the right time with both your book and your programming ideas.
Think of it this way: if you know your local library systems do major purchases in March and September, you can work backwards to ensure everything is ready right when librarians are making those crucial decisions.
Plus, timing your outreach during key programming seasons (like Summer Reading programs) gives you an extra edge when proposing author events.
TLDR: Getting Your Indie Book Into Libraries
Getting your indie book into libraries might seem daunting, but we've covered the four essential elements that can make it happen:
1) Distribution Matters
Libraries order through trusted distributors like Ingram and Baker & Taylor
Professional distribution shows librarians you understand their buying process
2) Professional Reviews Are Required
Libraries need trusted, third-party reviews for purchase approval
Reviews provide documentation that supports purchasing decisions
Several review options are available for indie authors at different price points
Plan ahead: many review opportunities are available pre-publication, but don't worry if you've already published, there are still great review options to help get your book into libraries
3) Metadata Makes Your Book Discoverable
Include three specific BISAC codes that match your content
Write detailed descriptions with key selling points
Specify age ranges and reading levels
Include regional connections and author location
4) Maximize Timing and Programming
Understand library buying seasons (mainly spring and fall)
Plan your review timing around these purchase cycles
Offer engaging programming ideas beyond basic readings
Approach libraries with both your book and ways to serve their community
Remember: Libraries are vibrant community spaces looking for quality books to share with their patrons.
When you combine these elements - professional distribution, trusted reviews, detailed metadata, and smart timing - you're not just hoping to get your book onto library shelves; you're giving it everything it needs to belong there.
Here's the best part: when your book finds its home on library shelves, it has the chance to be discovered again and again, reaching readers who might never have found it otherwise.
There's nothing quite like knowing your book is out there, being borrowed, read, and shared within your community - that's the true magic of libraries.
About the Author
Hi! I'm Josie Robinson, cofounder of Evergreen Authors and advertising executive at Foreword Reviews. My mission? Helping indie authors get their amazing books into libraries and connecting great stories with the readers who need them. Want to see YOUR book on library shelves? Discover how Foreword Reviews can help make that dream possible.
