“Unveiling the Hidden Realities: What Librarians Wish Every Author Knew About Their Books”

"Unveiling the Hidden Realities: What Librarians Wish Every Author Knew About Their Books"

In a world bursting with books, it’s easy to think that simply donating one to your local library is as simple as a quick drop-off. Well, let me tell you, it often isn’t! As a seasoned library worker—who’s spent over a decade peeking behind the curtain of the book-borrowing universe—I have a story to share that might just change how you view those dusty tomes in your attic. Tune in as I unravel the often misunderstood processes of book donations and how they truly fit into the labyrinth of public libraries. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about giving away books; there’s so much more that happens behind the scenes! Curious to learn more? Click here: LEARN MORE.

The Short Of It

There are so many books in the sea…

Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash

I’ve worked in public libraries (in the United States) for over a decade. It has given me a unique look at how readers choose books, how many books there actually are, and — like any industry — how much the general public misunderstands how the library does what it does.

At the axis of all that… I’ve got the not-so-rosy insight on author’s books and events in public libraries.

Keep it to yourself

Many people think donating books to the library works like this: You give a book or books to your local library, and your library easy-peasy puts them on the shelf to circulate. This belief holds true for both those who have written a book they want to get on the library shelves and those who are cleaning out their closets and want to donate their precious tomes from decades of reading to a new place.

It is, in fact, not that easy.

It takes time, resources, and people-power to catalog new books. Especially if that is a “new book” for the library where this is not a preexisting record for it.

I work in a public-facing position, so I don’t know all the nitty-gritty of all…

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