81rattler

I am an author and had thought of the effect that the economy had on book sales. There is another area being affected, public libraries. Many cities are in a budget hole and everything is on the table. This story about Philadelphia and Jacksonville, Fl. are perfect examples:

Philadelphia Closing 11 Branches - 12/15/2008 - Library Journal

Jacksonville.com

Both of these libraries have my books as part of their collection and continued downsizing in public library budgets will hit less well known authors the most. I know many are being introduced to my work through libraries even if the book is not in their local bookstore. Libraries are a significant factor in introducing readers to new authors and their impact is illustrated below.

[WorldCat.org]

[WorldCat.org]

Who else out there has heard of cutbacks hitting libraries? If libraries become expendable, it would be a great setback for authors, book lovers and the communities served.

DT Pollard

aikakone

I am a librarian, and thankfully my library is doing well. We are a rural 6 branch system in Louisiana. One of the blessings we have is that unlike some libraries, our money rolls over at the end of the fiscal year. For many entities this is simply not the case. If the money is not spent, the money is gone.

For our patrons being poor and rural, they use our resources, particularly our DVDs.

My job within the library is purchasing, so I'm the one who would buy your books. From that point of view, one of the best ways to get your book out there is to have it available through the big book vendors. We use Baker and Taylor, and that is state-wide for Louisiana. Many other states do the same.

Whatever you have to do, get your book reviewed by the big name resources such as Library Journal, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, etc. For a librarian such as myself who works by reading reviews in those sources, that's what's best to bring it to my attention. Yes, I do occasionally get personal mails from authors, but if I can't buy it from our vendor, it's not likely to be bought.

Further, a lot of mailings and catalogs go directly into the trash. I don't need the paper clutter, so I stick to the reviews in the sources mentioned above. If you've got a product that is made easy for a library to buy (for example, we do not buy books from Amazon) and you would your acquisitions library to know about your fantastic book, then make your letter stand out somehow, and that's as simple as having a different envelope or something catchy on the front.

So those are tips to help get your stuff noticed in any economy. As for the fear of libraries closing... yes, some of them are. It's horrible. Thankfully not all of them are in such peril, and we know that it's the library the patrons turn to in dire times. We have the spending power of many people vs. one, and we can bring them goods and services that benefit all... the library that needs to stay current and relevant and the patrons who need the services libraries provide, which are now more than ever beyond print. Libraries are now and have always been about management of information, whether that was on stone slabs or in fleeting electrons.

xlennie

I think I would cry if libraries didn't exist. And I'd be even more broke than I am now.

ash492

^Agreed on both accounts! I go to the library at least twice a week. I can't imagine no libraries, I would be so bored.

DefLeppardFan

I am an Assistant Librarian and the library where I work is a small one. Right now all of the state funds have been cut off and we will probably not be able to buy new books in the near future. I do know in March our book plan that most of all the new releases come from have to be shipped back and there are about 300 books just from the company that those books are from. So right now it's sad that they is no money to buy new books. I love to read so this affects me as well.

AdriaMichelle

I would also cry if there were no libraries. I love going there. Its gives me a peace of mind whenever I walk in there. I can have the worst day, but the moment I walk into the library my mind is at total ease.

~Unfaithful~

Libraries give me a sense of calm on those days when the stresses of everyday life threaten to overcome me. The library is a small piece of Heaven on Earth.

stumps101

I don't go to libraries much at the moment but I'm pretty sure if there were none, I'd be broke for sure ! There are so many books that catch my eye but I don't wanna spend money on so having someone where I can borrow them from is great.

xlennie

Libraries rock. Lol, I just love it there. It's so peaceful.