A Tribute to Libraries

Victoria Bylin

By Victoria Bylin

I wouldn’t be an author today without the benefit of public libraries. How many of you feel the same way? I bet a lot of us do. In honor of National Library Week, I thought it would be fun to share some memories and ask a few questions that we can all answer.

1. What was the first book you ever checked out of the library? I was only five when my mom took me to the Granada Hills branch of the Los Angeles Public Library for the first time. I came home with a treasure called Peanuts the Pony. It was square with thick library binding, tattered pages, and pictures of Peanuts with his friends. So cute! The first chapter book I ever checked out was about a pioneer girl named Caroline. That book started my love of westerns.

2. As a child or teenager, did you have a favorite series? What was it? The Black Stallion books by Walter Farley are at the top of my list. I read the first one about twenty times. I also enjoyed the Clara Barton books, Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books, and . . . if you’re a western reader you know what’s coming . . . The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Granada Hills Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library

3. When you visit the library, which section do you hit first? The new releases are usually in front, so I check those out right away. After that, I head for the fiction section. Sometimes I start with “A” and work my way through the alphabet; other times I’ll pick an aisle and start wandering. I like the nonfiction section too, but I don’t browse it like my husband does.

4. What’s the biggest overdue fine you’ve ever paid? I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve messed up a few times. The worst was in the neighborhood of $30 for multiple books. It was just one of those weeks, and with two kids, we had a lot of books out on multiple library cards.

5. What’s your best library or library-related memory? This happened at my first RWA conference in Denver 2002. I was wearing my RWA badge with my pink “First Sale” ribbon, standing in line with the crowd for the literacy signing. The woman in front of me looked familiar, but I couldn’t place her. We started chatting and it clicked. She worked at my local library back in northern Virginia. Small world!

6. Do you have an all-time favorite library? Tough choice! If I go with the “bigger is better” philosophy, I’d have to pick the Central Library here in Lexington, Kentucky. It’s beautiful with a pendulum, rotunda and ceiling clock. On the other hand, the itty-bitty four-aisle library in Frazier Park, California met my reading needs for eight years. Big or small, I love them all.

Main Library Lexington KY

7. Tell us about a moment of discovery at the library. I’ll never forget the moment I discovered Section 808.11 at the George Mason branch of the Fairfax Co. Public Library in Annandale, Virginia. I was working on my first-ever ms (it later became West of Heaven published by Harlequin Historicals) when I realized I didn’t have a clue how to move past chapter three. The library catalog directed me to the craft book section. Lo and behold! There were dozens of books about writing. The first one I checked out was Jack Bickham’s The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes. It changed my life. I devoured everything in that section, but Mr. Bickham’s book was the one that opened my eyes the widest.

8. Did you ever want to be a librarian? Oh, definitely! I can’t think of a more wonderful place to spend the day. A big thank you to librarians everywhere. You have enriched my life more than I can begin to express!

Those are my favorite memories. How about you? When you hear “library,” what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing  for one of two giveaway copies of Victoria's latest release Together With You.

Click to Buy

Sometimes the most unexpected love can be exactly what a heart needs...When a Lost Child warning blares over the mall's PA system, Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that the child suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's past suddenly confronts her. Never again will she become personally involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart.

Dr. Ryan Tremaine is trying to put his life back together. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan has put his faith in his Sink-or-Swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruit Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny.

Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?

Victoria Bylin is a romance writer known for her realistic and relatable characters. Her books have finaled in multiple contests, including the Carol Awards, the RITAs, and RT Magazine's Reviewers Choice Award. A native of California, she and her husband now make their home in Lexington, Kentucky, where their family and their crazy Jack Russell terrier keep them on the go. Learn more at victoriabylin.com.

Libraries and book promotion: How to make it work for you!

Myra Johnson

Since this is National Library Week, I’m reprising and updating a blog post that originally appeared here a few years ago. Why does this bear repeating? Because readers are an author’s best friend. And where do many readers hang out?

You guessed it—THE LIBRARY!

But . . . library patrons check out books for free, right? How does that help an author’s book sales?

The number one answer is . . . building your readership!

And let’s face it. We want and need those readers. Faithful readers. Readers who tell their friends what great writers we are so their family and friends will look for our books, whether in their local library or favorite bookstore.

And that leads us to the dreaded word promotion, which in turns brings us to one of the primary methods writers use to promote their books.

[Cue scary music here]

PUBLIC SPEAKING!!!!!!!!

When I first dreamed of becoming a published novelist, it never occurred to me that I’d eventually be called upon to speak in front of various sized groups whose interest varied from “You are beyond fascinating!” to “Where’s the nearest exit?” 

My first few post-publication speaking gigs were for church gatherings or my local writers group, where I knew I’d be among friends. For some authors--the extroverts among us--public speaking is a breeze. Others, like introverted moi, need some encouragement.

That’s why I was very grateful after moving to the Carolinas to connect with Dora Hiers, a writer who has developed a real knack for working with area libraries to schedule author events. (Be sure to check out Dora’s guest post from November 2012.)

Although I’ve done several library programs with Dora, I certainly don’t consider myself an expert on the subject. But these experiences have brought a few things to light that I believe are worth passing along to other authors interested in braving the library circuit.

The first couple of programs I shared with Dora were author panels where each author gave a short talk describing our journey to publication, providing background about our novels, and sharing a few thoughts about writing Christian fiction. Afterward, we took questions and then visited with attendees and autographed books.

Sharing the program with one or more author colleagues definitely takes the pressure off! That’s why, when Dora asked if I’d be interested in working up joint programs for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library System Summer Reading Series, I immediately said yes. Our first was a talk on “Writing Inspirational Fiction,” and the following year we developed a program on “Creating Characters that Come Alive.” Both were repeated at numerous area libraries.

We ended our programs with Q&A, which was a great opportunity to zero in on participants’ individual needs and interests. Afterward, we stayed around for book browsing and more casual conversation. Naturally, we provided bookmarks, business cards, and plenty of chocolate, all of which helped make those valuable reader/writer connections.

Now for a summary of some of the things I’ve learned about working with libraries:

People who attend library events are avid readers.

BUT—Library patrons like to check out books, not necessarily buy them.

HOWEVER—Librarians are your friends. Get to know them and they will recommend your books to readers and suggest upcoming releases as possible library additions.

It’s fun and energizing to chat with people who are really interested in books and writing.

BUT—Turnout is unpredictable. At some events we had 10-15 or more in attendance. At one of the summer programs we had only two.

What works: Contacting libraries well in advance of your desired program dates.

What doesn’t work: Expecting the library to get you on the program calendar within a month or two. It can take several weeks to several months to get library approval.

What works: Planning ahead of time whether your program will target readers, writers, or both, and adjusting your content accordingly.

What doesn’t work: Not clearly advertising your program as Christian or “inspirational” (if that’s the case). People have been known to walk out at the first mention of faith.

What works: Promoting the event on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, etc. Also ask what forms of promotion the library will be using.

What doesn’t work: Scheduling your program either too early or too late on a weeknight evening.

What works: Arriving early enough to get your table and book display set up, visit the ladies’ room, get some water, and mingle with attendees as they arrive.

What doesn’t work: Trusting your smartphone map app to send you to the right location, then arriving so close to start time that you’re flustered and out of breath. (Yes, this happened to me! App announced “You are here!” at a dead end next to an empty lot.)

What works: Giveaways (bookmarks, postcards, chocolate, etc.), newsletter signup lists, and handouts containing supplemental information related to your program.

What doesn’t work: Sitting shyly behind your book table and waiting for people to talk to you.

What works: Interacting with attendees, asking them about their reading interests, and suggesting other authors (yes, your competition!) you think they might enjoy.

What doesn’t work: Not verifying whether the library has copies of your books in circulation.

What works: Donating a copy of your book to the library prior to or, at the latest, the day of your program.

What works: Remembering to send a thank-you note to the program organizer and mentioning your interest in working with him or her in the future.

Preparing talks and doing programs definitely takes its toll on your writing time.

BUT—in the end, it’s usually worth the sacrifice!
Have you braved the library program circuit yet? What do you like most about speaking events? What do you find most challenging?

If you’re a librarian, what advice would you offer authors interested in presenting a program to your patrons?

Join the conversation today to be entered in a drawing for The Oregon Trail Romance Collection, which includes my novella Settled Hearts. Be sure to mention in your comment if you would like to be entered in the drawing.

Nine romantic adventures take readers along for a ride on the Oregon Trail where daily challenges force travelers to evaluate the things that are most precious to them—including love. Enjoy the trip through a fascinating part of history through the eyes of remarkably strong characters who stop at famous landmarks along the way. Watch as their faith is strengthened and as love is born despite unique circumstances. Discover where the journey ends for each of nine couples.

Settled Hearts: 1852—Desperate to find her father in Oregon for her ill mother, Emma Clarke teams up with John Patrick, a loyal uncle who is determined to hide his niece and nephew from abusive adoptive parents. Will Emma and John find the hope they seek for their futures along the trail?

~~~~

Though Myra Johnson’s roots go deep into Texas soil, she now enjoys living amidst the scenic beauty of the Carolinas, but she does miss real Texas beef barbecue! Empty-nesters, Myra and her husband share their home with two pampered rescue dogs. Myra's awards include the 2005 RWA Golden Heart and two ACFW Carol Award finals. When the Clouds Roll By, book 1 of the historical romance series “Till We Meet Again” (Abingdon Press), won the historical fiction category of the 2014 Christian Retailer’s Best Award. Book 2, Whisper Goodbye, and book 3, Every Tear a Memory, both received 4½-star reviews from Romantic Times. Follow Myra on Twitter at @MyraJohnson and @TheGrammarQueen, and on her Facebook author page.

 

Madame S’s Observations on e-Books and Libraries...

and Why It’s a Mess Right Now.

 

 Darlings,
  

I’ve written and re-written this blog several times in trying to convey the state of libraries, publishers and e-books in the United States.  Often my goal in writing has been to avoid using the word butthead.  Other times it has drifted into rant wondering how publishers can be so confused about the technology that is actually involved instead of the imaginary one that keeps being referenced.  Other times it has focused on the issues of non-ownership and that you’re buying licensing as opposed to ownership.  Other versions focused on the difference between techies and readers and how the shift from the techies to mainstream readers changed the situation.

Let’s just agree that the state of e-books is complex and changing quickly.  When you add libraries to the mix, the issue becomes more complex.

Now, I know you’re thinking, “Why should libraries complicate this?  Libraries buy and lend physical books.  Public libraries in the U.S. have been doing this for over 100 years.  Plus, they buy specific formats of things, like compact discs, dvds, and they’ve been providing access to databases since the ‘90s.  They have digital subscriptions to serials in addition to databases.  This should be right up their alley.”  Let me give you a tip:  Stop thinking when it comes to this issue.  Thinking will just make your head hurt and frustrate you.  (I don’t think that’s just me projecting but Tina, as always, will let me know if I am wrong.)

I’m going to hit a few of the current issues that public libraries have to consider to be able to provide e-books for the public.

1.     Libraries need a way to track checkouts for e-books, a way to track how many “copies” of a title are checked out, and how to “return” a digital book.  It is not the library’s intent to allow patrons to keep digital books or cheat authors or publishers.  There are companies that provide this service for a fee.  One of the best known services is offered by a company called Overdrive.  It lines up titles from publishers, has a system to add onto the library’s existing integrated library system, a way to allow patron holds, a way to track simultaneous usages/checkouts of digital copies related to the title, and a way to track the digital returns to allow the digital copy to circulate again.  (With digital copies, libraries still have to decide how many “copies” it wants for its system.  So maybe it gets 10 digital copies for the newest , hot title.  This means 10 people can checkout the digital title at one time. )

But this isn’t as simple as it sounds.  One of the hot topics in the public library community and among public library users in the state of Kansas is that Overdrive isn’t an option for most.  (Kansas has a very strong state library.  Most public libraries in Kansas depend on the state library to negotiate rates and contracts for all public libraries in Kansas to use.  That makes sense for a lot of reasons.  The State Librarian of Kansas looked at the new Overdrive contract, noticed that the fees were increasing by 700% from 2012 through 2014 and said, “I don’t think so.”    The state consortium pulled out of using Overdrive.  (Some public libraries in Kansas opted to sign individual contracts with the company.)

2.     Different formats for digital books.
Until late 2011, you could not checkout a digital book from a library on a Kindle.  This was because Amazon saw itself in the book selling business and not the book lending business but when it got consistent feedback that some new, potential users were going with the Nook because you could use the Nook to checkout library books, it figured it needed to expand into libraries and solidify its digital format for the long term.

Not all digital books are available in Kindle format.  So when one is looking at a public library and which digital books are available, you have to see which formats are available and how it works with your device.

Just because a title is listed as being an e-book in your library does not mean that your device can read it.

If this were 1983, it would be as if public libraries were buying copies of movies in Beta and VHS and waiting to see which one would win.  Very few libraries were buying Beta and VHS.  They waited to see which would “win.”  Right now, nothing is winning.  On the other hand, libraries didn’t have to think about VHS and Beta producers coming to the library and taking the tapes after x number of checkouts but that’s also an issue when libraries are licensing certain titles.  These titles can only circulate x number of times and then must be repurchased.  I’ll be dropping this topic now because the facial tick has returned and that’s always a sign I’m getting too worked up.

3.    Creating a system to meet library needs in house.
Sigh.  This is an issue.  Douglas County Public Library in Colorado is creating its own in house system that will allow it to purchase titles, store them, and allow for checkouts/holds/returns.  In addition, it also has access to different digital systems, including Overdrive.  And you might be thinking, “Why aren’t more libraries doing this?”  Part is money and part is commitment.  The library has to have enough money to hire people to create this system, work out the kinks (because all new technology is going to have kinks) and be committed to providing this type of in-house service.   When a library district makes this type of commitment, it’s not just to the equipment or the salaries, it’s also committing to keeping current with all issues involving e-books and formats and purchasing and licensing.   Remember all my words concerning tight library budgets?  When a library makes this type of commitment, it’s majored main chunk of change.  The community has to be behind what the library is doing and the library has to be thinking long term.     

A lot of libraries are looking at what Douglas County is doing and learning so they can decide if they want to try to follow in Douglas County’s footsteps or if it’s cheaper to pay an outside company, like Overdrive, to stay on top of things.

4.     Major publishers.
Honestly, Darlings, I wish someone in each publishing house in New York would go down to the street, wait for the first 25 year old talking on a smartphone to walk past, grab that person, pull the individual into the publishing house and get the smartphone user to explain how e-books do and do not work.    Once the publishers grasp that concept, they need to repeat the process of grabbing a smartphone user off the street so this person can explain why e-books are not like digital music in 1999 and that Napster no longer exists and there was never an e-book equivalent of Napster.

I’m attaching a blog tracing the history of how major US publishers thought paperback books were going to be the end of publishing.  (So I suppose US publishers have a history and mindset of not understanding their own industry and readers.  )  http://www.demimonde.com/2012/11/30/revolutions-in-paper-and-pixel/  It must be exhausting when the sky is perpetually falling and yet the sun comes up the next morning.  I can’t imagine how confusing life must be for these people.

Major publishers seem to believe many odd things.  One apparent belief is one that I caution you not to have, which is “Every library e-book checkout is a sale lost.”  Just poo-poo this notion because it is full of poo-poo.   Certainly publishers have been happy to sell physical books and audio books in all their formats to libraries.  They continue to do so.  But e-books started getting popular and now libraries are snatching money from publishers and authors.

Several publishers will not make their books available in digital form for libraries.  Attached is a December 2012 article on how Simon and Schuster is being flexible by allowing a second title to be made available to public libraries.  http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2012/simon-schuster-open-to-selling-ebooks-to-libraries-in-certain-circumstances/ 
 Gosh.  What a flexible bunch of guys…

Other publishers do not allow their major releases to be available to public libraries for several months.  Actually, one of the best places to see this type of information is here: https://www.facebook.com/thebig6ebooks  (This is because the State Library of Kansas understands technology and how to communicate with people who are interested and …  

Honestly, Big 6.  You are in New York City where there is a public library system internationally known for its reference work.  Get someone to call in a reference question and a librarian will explain the technology to you as well as the history of public libraries and publishing, and even use small words if needed.  Just think about it.) 

I must stop here.  Family members are backing away from me and I’m only typing but I gather my facial contortions and snarling are upsetting everyone…

To sum up: Libraries and e-books and publishing...  It’s all going to shake out but not any time soon.   I’m off to meditate now and try to regain my composure.





I will try to answer any questions you may have.  I will not take them personally and I will try to answer in a coherent, respectful tone.

Madame S has worked in and around archives and libraries and library related businesses since 1985.  Well, she started volunteer work in public libraries in 1976 as a junior high student.  (She was recruited and told if she put the catalog cards from various packets into alphabetic order for filing into the library catalog, she could take and read the paperbacks that hadn't been cataloged yet.  So she began her professional life with an understanding of how the backroom works and who you need to make happy in order to get special benefits.  Plus, she got to see all the books that came in before the rest of the patrons.)

 Armed with this information, she misspent her first semi-decade working for library districts, state library networks, large city libraries, small city libraries, a library system software company and book distributor.  Madame S was taken to the library when she was very young and realized she had found heaven on earth.  In 1968, she got her first library card with her name on it and has never looked back.  She continues to ensure any library or library branch she uses has higher circulation statistics than it did before she arrived.

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Today we have a special giveaway in honor of this visit to Seekerville by Madame S. We'll be giving away a Seeker e-Book of Choice to one commenter.   Unless you prefer to attempt to get it at your local library.

Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.


And if you missed Madame S's last post, you can catch up here:

The Dos and Don't of the Library World for Authors and the Kitchen Sink by Madame S

The Dos and Don't of the Library World for Authors and the Kitchen Sink by Madame S

After two years of being vigilant whenever I am in communication with Tina, I became distracted.  Anyway, I find I have agreed to write another blog posting for you Lovely People.  (Actually, I’m not sure I agreed but she assures me that I did.  I thought I was agreeing to pass the salt.)

This is “Everything you never wanted to know about authors, books and libraries.”

This all began with a discussion of authors and libraries.  Tina, who has some experience in libraries as an employee and patron, was saying that many authors are confused about the advantages of getting their works into libraries and how to go about it.  I, foolishly in retrospect, pointed out that RWA has a librarian day where they invite librarians but has it ever thought about having a session introducing authors to the library process.  Well.  That was all it took and suddenly I went from passing the salt to agreeing to write up Dos and Don’ts of the library world as they relate to authors.

Tina immediately gave me a list of points to cover, which makes me think this was not as spontaneous as she claims… 



Now, I know I should re-number these questions, but Tina made the below question number 8 and it just begs to be the first. 

8.  Do libraries matter to authors?

Darlings, Darlings, Darlings.  The answer can only be, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

The American Library Association has finally started gathering information about library users and their purchasing of books.  What they found, which is not a surprise to most library users, is that heavy library users are also heavy purchasers of books for their private collections.  Many of the books that are purchased by these library patrons were discovered from reading the title or the author’s earlier works at the library.

I am not joking.  One of the best ways to get to the people who buy books is to get your books into the library.  Libraries are your friends.

Don’t be one of those dreary, whiny writers who view every checkout of their title as a sale that was lost.  It wasn’t.  You never had that sale.  You were lucky the library bought a copy.  Harsh words but true.

You are developing core readers when your books are in libraries.  It leads to people reading this book, deciding they love your book, and then looking for more of your books or authors like you.  These people, in turn, recommend your books to their friends.  As gift giving occasions arise, your books get requested and purchased in real life.  The more they love your books, the more they are willing to do without dining out and purchase your book instead.

I check out books at the library and I buy books.  In fact, back when I collected the hyper-modern mystery, I bought 1st printing, autographed copies of new titles but never read those copies.  I checked out the same title at the library.  If I really loved the title, I bought the paperback to have to read when it became available.  If I really, really loved it, I bought multiple paperbacks to give to friends and family who needed something to read on plane rides.  (I had to.  People would need things to read and we would go through my shelves of paperbacks, looking for something they would like and I would send it off with them.  Only to realize that I didn’t have a reading copy anymore…)

Laugh all you want at word of mouth but then think of the authors who built careers based on word of mouth.  A lot of the people who left my house with paperbacks bought more titles by whatever author wrote it.

Darlings, you want your books in libraries and you want libraries thinking happy thoughts about you.  The rest of these words of wisdom will help you on both counts.

1.  Who’s in charge at the library?

Such a simple question, such a difficult answer.

Generally the answer is “The Library Director.”  But this isn’t as simple as it sounds.

You need to know if you have walked into a branch library or the main library or if there is only one physical building for your public library.  Here’s what I mean.  Some towns have their own library and it is one building.  Generally the person in charge of that building is the library director.

But when you are in a city, you probably have a main library and several/lots of branch libraries.  (Chicago Public Library has a lot of branches.  Kansas City Public Library has fewer branches but still a lot.)  In cases where you have walked into a branch, the person in charge varies a lot.

Libraries can also belong to a Library District, which may be across municipalities or counties.  But there’s still a main library and a library director.

Library directors also have to report to Library Boards and/or County/City managers/mayors.

But the good news is that you really don’t need to care who’s in charge.  Library directors don’t tend to have anything to do with getting your book into a library.  (No, that’s not a joke.  Keep reading.)  As for library boards…they work best when they stay out of the day to day operations of libraries, such as material selection.

2.   Who are all of these people working in the library?

Hard to say.  It will vary from library to library.  Here’s why I say this:

The people working the area where you check out materials are generally not considered librarians.  They tend to be paraprofessionals who check out library materials and handle fines and maybe put the materials back on the shelves.

The people working the reference desk tend to be librarians.  Even that can mean different things.  Generally, librarians have master degrees in librarianship/library science.  They answer questions like, “Where is the bathroom?” (which is a classic reference question), “How much tonnage of wheat did Canada export in 2008?”  (I have no idea.)  “I like to read Tina Radcliffe.  Who else writes like her?”

Children’s librarians keep up with new children’s titles and authors and trends.  They’re also the people doing story time or homework time.

The person putting materials back on the shelf is generally a library page or shelver.

In some libraries, if there’s a backlog in shelving, everyone will shelve.  In other libraries, the job duties are specific and people are not allowed to move between these jobs.  So when you ask the person shelving the books where you can find a book on glutten free cooking and are told you need to go to the reference desk and ask there, s/he’s not trying to be a jerk.  S/he may not know or may know but not be willing to be written up for answering your question.  Also, the reference desk doesn’t generally have change so they may not be able to take your library fines and will send you to the circulation desk.  People are not trying to make your life difficult when they move you to another desk.  They may not be able to do what you need and are sending you to the group that can help.

There’s also an army of people that you don’t see who are involved with libraries.  We’ll get to them as we go along.

3.  Where do the books come from?

(Is it wrong of me to want to say, “When a mommy and daddy book love each other very much…?”  Oh, all right.)

You all have a good idea what it takes to get a book published.  And you have access to information on how physical books get sold/distributed.  (I know this because I wrote that blog and answered tons of questions.)

Libraries have a section in their budget generally known as Collection Development.  This is to buy new materials and replace old copies of things.  (“Green eggs and ham” needs to be replaced on a regular basis.)  Depending on the size of the library and library staff, there is either a backroom of people who research and order materials or it’s one of the duties on the person working the reference desk.  (Remember the reference desk from the last question?)  In either case, specific people are assigned to order either certain types of materials (DVDs, e-books, books on cd, database access) or topic ranges.  (Fiction, computer and technology, health and cookbooks, children’s materials, foreign language materials, etc.)

Most of the time, only the Fiction person can order Fiction.  If you have befriended the DVD ordering person (and who doesn’t want to befriend this person), this guy can’t get your book purchased by the library.  (We will address other ideas many of you have later as a way to circumvent this.  But let me give you a teaser and tell you to start letting those ideas go now and avoid the rush later.)

A lot of libraries will have online or paper forms to allow patron to make requests of titles to be added to the collection.  USE THESE.  (We’ll come back to it.)  But don’t assume that your request will get your book into the library.  Library budgets are tight right now.   (Many library districts/city libraries are cutting back hours the library is opened and closing branches.  What most people don’t realize is that before it gets to that point, the collection development budget has been gutted and only materials that the community really, really wants are being purchased.  So where a library district might have bought 75 copies of Nora Roberts latest hardback, they are now buying 30 copies.  Or 15.)

Also, most places are getting their materials completely or partially processed by the material distributor.  What this means is that the books are being sent with the plastic covers on them, the property stamps on the item added and may actually be ready to unpack and put on the shelves.  This tends to happen when libraries have fewer staff to perform these functions.  (The back room staff tend to get gutted first.)

4.  Okay, how can I get my book on the shelf?

That’s an excellent question.  I’m going to answer you and then list all the ways that your book won’t get on the shelf and tell you again why to do what I’m about to tell you.

Fill out a patron request form for your book.  Don’t do this until your title is within 4 weeks of release.  Many libraries can only order 30 days in advance.  If you fill out the form too early, it will “timeout” before your book is due to be released.

Get your friends who live in your library district to fill out the form requesting your book.  (Yes, this is playing the system.  So what?  Do you want your book on the shelf or not?)  If your friends don’t have library cards, arrange a van, go to the library, have them all get library cards and then have lunch.  Then let them go in one by one to request your book.  Make a day of it.

Encourage members of a Red Hat Society each to request your book.  Odds are they were going out to lunch anyway.  They can stop at the library on the way.

There will generally be a section “How did you learn about this book?”  on the form.  Either refer to a website that has reviewed an early copy or say, “Stumbled across it on Amazon.”  Don’t say, “I know the author.”  That gives people the idea that you’re trying to scam the system.  (Tight, tight library budgets, My Darlings.  Don’t be obvious about scamming the system.  Do it with finesse.)

Now, I’ll give you these variations:

4.a.   Find out how to volunteer to be a speaker at your library.  Libraries tend to be looking for people to speak at free programs.  If you are speaking about what it takes to get a book published, the library will generally try to make sure it has a copy of your book.  (If it doesn’t, don’t worry.  The parts of the group who heard you speak will fill out the patron request for your book.  So make sure you have a card listing the title, publisher, ISBN, price, etc. so they have that information easily and correctly at hand.  Make it easy for everyone.  It’s the polite thing to do.)

4.b.Volunteer at your local public library and try to see other ways to get your book into the library.

Here are things NOT TO DO:

DO NOT walk in the library building and ask to speak to the person who orders fiction.  For one thing, this person may not be at work.  (If your library is opened 72 hours a week, this person will be scheduled to be there for 40 hours.  And they may be leading the monthly Library Knitters program when you appear and can’t leave to talk to you.  Or they may be scheduled to work the reference desk.  Or just working on reports.)  If you really, really, really want to talk to this person, ask how to schedule a time to talk to this person, assuming anyone will tell you who it is.  Generally, just leave this person alone.  Otherwise, you’re going to peeve them unduly and they will remember your name as “Someone whose books we don’t order until they show up on the NYT bestseller’s list.”  Sometimes bad name recognition really is a problem.

Even if you make an appointment with this person, it is unlikely that the book can be purchased while you are there.  Most places have purchasing systems that require things like purchase orders and vendor numbers.  DO NOT expect to walk in and have the library buy your book from you.  It might have happened in the past, but those were still the exceptions and not the rule.  Remember, you’re looking for a long-term relationship with libraries.  As long as you have a book to be purchased, you want libraries trying to get a copy for their collections.

DO NOT send flowers/cookie bouquet/box of chocolates to the Collection Development department with a card including your name, title of the book, ISBN, release date, and price.  It’s not that people wouldn’t love that but most library districts/cities/counties have specific rules about staff not allowed to accept gratuities from people trying to influence purchases by the library district/city/county.  That includes your book.  I know you don’t mean any harm and it sounds like a lovely idea but it can cause a lot of problems. 


 JUST DON’T.  

There’s nothing more sad than a perfectly good cookie bouquet having to be thrown out uneaten.  Please don’t tell me that this would never happen.  I have seen this happen.  I have seen people get in trouble when they ignored the “City employees may not accept things from vendors while doing their job” rules.  Don’t try to get these people in trouble just because you don’t like the rules.  Again, that’s not the name recognition that you want.

• DO NOT decide that a flash mob would be a good idea in a library to promote your book.

• DO NOT put a copy of your book on the shelf.  That’s not helpful.  The title won’t be in the catalog and there won’t be a barcode to allow it to checkout.

• DO NOT put a copy of your book into the book drop.  That just means it has to go in the Lost Items box until someone realizes that no one has asked for this and then it will generally get thrown out.  It might end up in the library book sale but probably not.

• DO NOT start passing out copies of your book at the library.  Most libraries have restrictions about no solicitors.  (And I don’t mean the British type, for those of you living the “Downton Abbey” lifestyle.  Every so often, Tina believes she is British and I have to explain gently, lovingly, and firmly that she is not.) 

Just try what I listed at the beginning of this section.  That should get a copy on the shelf.  (Be happy with a copy.  We’ll go over how to keep the copy on the shelf later.)

 5. I donated books.  Why aren’t they on the shelf?

One hesitates to say, “There’s a special place in library hell for people who donate books and then want to track what happens to these books” but only because of breeding.    Here’s why.

Think of your donated books as a gift.  Once you give a gift, you don’t get a say in what happens to it.

Remember in #3 when I talked about tight library budgets and the collection development budget being slashed?  Well, the cataloging and processing department got slashed too.  These are the people who create the record that displays in the online catalog and puts the barcode and call number on the materials.  Getting materials processed by the vendors if often cheaper than hiring staff to do it.  Some libraries have completely eliminated this department and everything they order is cataloged and processed by the vendor.  They can’t add other materials.  Or the department is bare bones and only working on materials that have been purchased from vendors that can’t do cataloging/processing that they can’t handle donated materials.  They don’t have the covers/labels or barcodes to handle donated materials much less the staff time.

 


Under no circumstances are you to send a question or a comment saying, “But it’s a free book.”   I, Madame S, am emphatic on this topic.  But because one of you Little Dears will ask, let me just say, “NO!  IT IS NOT FREE.”  (And yes, I do mean all caps.)    See above.  You need staff to do the work, you need materials to process the book, and it will take physical space on the shelf.  “Free books” can be very expensive for a library.  That’s why many libraries have a policy that they do not allow donated materials to be added to collection. 

Darlings, it’s not personal.  Libraries have been cutting backroom staff through the ‘90s.  (And those were the boom times.)   Follow what I wrote in the first part of #4.  Do not deviate.


6.  What do the numbers on the book spine mean?

These are call numbers.  Here’s how it works.  (Or should work.)

In a back room, generally in the basement, lives a group of people who catalog materials.  We’ll use your book as an example.

Your book arrives and they create how your name will be searchable in the library catalog.  They will use what is on the title page of your book.  (I can tell you why the odds are that you won’t get a date even if you want one but let’s skip that right now.)

Then they add the title as it appears on the title page.  They add the publisher.  The number of pages, whether there are any illustrations, and the height of the book.  They will also add the series if it’s published as part of a series.  They might add a summary but that’s not a constant.  They probably will add some subject headings but again they may not.

They will add a call number.  (Remember call numbers?  That’s how this question got started.)  I’m going to stick to Fiction since most of you write fiction.  The call number will look something like this:

FICTION
LAST NAME

There may be some variations.  Sometimes the Genre is a part of the call number.

ROMANCE
FICTION
LAST NAME

Oklahoma reunion
Radcliffe, Tina.
ISBN:     9780373877027 (pbk.) : $5.75
ISBN:     0373877021 (pbk.) : $5.75
Local call number:    FICTION RADCLIFF
Personal Author: Radcliffe, Tina.
Title: Oklahoma reunion / Tina Radcliffe.
Publication info:    New York : Love Inspired, c2011.
Physical description:     216 p. ; 17 cm.
Series:     (Love Inspired inspirational romance)
Subject term:     Single mothers--Fiction.
Subject term:     Man-woman relationships--Fiction.
Subject term: Love stories.

Now, if there’s a number instead of FICTION, odds are it’s a Dewey Decimal call number.

Don’t try to memorize any of these numbers.  The meaning changes with every new edition of the Dewey Decimal System.  Granted, your favorite topics will be together and no one can beat a library shelver for knowing Dewey numbers.  The time to worry is not when you have to look up the number.   The time to worry is when you know what it means.

The spine label should match the call number in the catalog.  I say should because sometimes it doesn’t match.  There are a lot of reasons and I could do a blog on that if I ever agree to have brunch with Tina again and think I’m passing her the salt.

Some libraries don’t use the last name for the next line.  They use a letter number combo.  (This is known as “cuttering” because it uses a table created by Mr. Cutter.  I can write long about this as well but fewer and fewer public libraries are using this option.  (Although I believe the Free Library of Philadelphia is still using its original system from the time of the Library’s creation.  I’m not making that up but I am having a flashback...)

7.  How do I get an “in” with my library?

It depends on the library and the size of the system.

One of the best ways is to volunteer.  (Hmm…I may have mentioned that before…)

One way is to contact whomever schedules programs for the library/library district and offer to do a program.  (Hmm…I think I said this too…)

 If you are independently wealthy, you can donate a sizeable amount that the library will find it worth its while to buy your books new, but that’s not for the average, starting author.

You can join a Friends of the Library group and see if you can influence them to request your book.

9.  How do I keep a copy on the shelf of the library?

Actually, Tina didn’t ask but I promised I’d explain how to do this earlier.

Check out the book.  That’s it.  Check it out.

Libraries live and die by circulation statistics.  Every time your book is circulated/checked out in a year, libraries get very happy.  It shows the folks that fund libraries that patrons are checking out the materials that have been purchased.  Three times a year is good.  Five times is better.

The more your book checks out, the better the odds it will stay on the shelf.  This is due to decisions that have to be made about what items to get rid of so new books have a place on the library shelves.  (Yes, libraries get rid of books.  It’s also known as weeding and de-accessioning items.  They have to.  Physics takes over.  You have new materials coming into a place with a finite amount of shelf space.  Unused things/lesser used things have to go so the new things have a place to be.  And before everyone gets excited about libraries removing old materials, DON’T.  Everything that is old does not go.  You can still checkout Jane Austen and Charles Dickens and early Stephen King.  Things that circulate/that people want to read, stay.  Things that are outdated, such as “DOS for idiots” or the 1959 edition of “What Catholics believe” get removed from public libraries to make way for “iPhone 5 for idiots” and “Downton Abbey.”

Also the more your current book circulates, the more likely your new books will be added without having to use the patron request forms.  (Remember, Darlings, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.  We’re taking the long view of things.)




Now, I’ve been asked to write on libraries and e-books and publishers, oh my, but that’s going to have to wait.  Tina claims I’ve said too much.  (If she wants a shorter entry, she should ask someone else.)  I’ll be standing by for any questions you may have and will try to give correct and easily understandable answers to questions on this topic.

Madame S has worked in and around archives and libraries and library related businesses since 1985.  Well, she started volunteer work in public libraries in 1976 as a junior high student.  (She was recruited and told if she put the catalog cards from various packets into alphabetic order for filing into the library catalog, she could take and read the paperbacks that hadn't been cataloged yet.  So she began her professional life with an understanding of how the backroom works and who you need to make happy in order to get special benefits.  Plus, she got to see all the books that came in before the rest of the patrons.)

 Armed with this information, she misspent her first semi-decade working for library districts, state library networks, large city libraries, small city libraries, a library system software company and book distributor.  She was taken to the library when she was very young and realized she had found heaven on earth.  In 1968, she got her first library card with her name on it and has never looked back.  She continues to ensure any library or library branch she uses has higher circulation statistics than it did before she arrived in the area.

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Today we have a special birthday giveaway in honor of this visit to Seekerville by Madame S. We'll be giving away a $15.00 Amazon gift card to one commenter. Winner announced tomorrow in the Weekend Edition.

Check out the Birthday Prizes!

Library Events: What's good, what's bad, what works, what doesn't.

Myra here. Let me just state for the record that I am not an “out there” kind of person. I would much rather sit at home in my comfy writing chair with my nifty adjustable laptop desk with its built-in cooling fan and my trusty MacBook Pro open to my work-in-progress.

But let’s face it. Writing isn’t just about writing. We want readers. Faithful readers. Readers who tell their friends what great writers we are so their family and friends will buy our books!

And that leads us to the dreaded word promotion, which in turns brings us to one of the primary methods writers use to promote their books.

[Cue scary music here.]

PUBLIC SPEAKING!!!!!!!!

When I first dreamed of becoming a published novelist, it never occurred to me that I’d eventually be called upon to speak in front of various sized groups whose interest varied from “You are beyond fascinating!” to “Where’s the nearest exit?” 

My first few post-publication speaking gigs were for church gatherings or my local writers group, where I knew I’d be among friends. But when you have no idea whom you’ll be addressing--much less how friendly and open-minded they’ll be--it’s a lot different.

It also makes a difference whether getting up in front of an audience comes naturally to you. For some authors--the extroverts among us--public speaking is a breeze. Others, like introverted moi, need some encouragement.

That’s why I was very grateful after moving to the Carolinas and joining Carolina Christian Writers, the local ACFW chapter, to connect with Dora Hiers, a writer who has developed a real knack for working with area libraries to schedule author events. (You’ll have a chance to hear more from Dora in November when she joins us for a guest blog.)

Although I’ve done several library programs with Dora this year, I certainly don’t consider myself an expert on the subject. But these experiences have brought a few things to light that I believe are worth passing along to other authors interested in braving the library circuit.

Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Dora Hiers, and Myra Johnson

The first program I shared with Dora was actually a three-author panel that also included Jennifer Hudson Taylor, another Carolinian. The audience, comprising readers who enjoy inspirational fiction, proved very welcoming. Each author gave a 10-15-minute talk describing our journey to publication, providing background about our novels, and sharing a few thoughts about writing Christian fiction. Afterward, we took questions and then visited with attendees and autographed books.

A couple of weeks later, and feeling more comfortable now that we’d gotten to know one another better, the three of us repeated our program at a public library in another city with even more success.

Here I am speaking again. Not a library event, but a speaking engagement that came about as a direct result of one of our library programs.

Sharing the program with one or more author colleagues definitely takes the pressure off! That’s why, when Dora asked if I’d be interested in working up a joint program for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library System Summer Reading Series, I immediately said yes, and soon we were hammering out a talk on “Writing Inspirational Fiction” that would be presented at two different libraries.

We organized our talk in a “she said/she said” format, beginning with each of us sharing our personal background and highlights of our writing journey. We went on to discuss our individual writing styles, where we get ideas, advice about finding an agent, and an overview of several Christian publishing houses. Each participant received a handout with a list of our favorite craft books and writing websites.

We ended the program with Q&A, which was a great opportunity to zero in on participants’ individual needs and interests. Afterward, we stayed around for book browsing and more casual conversation. Overall, the program seemed to go over quite well.

Now for the good, the bad, etc., etc.

Good: People who attend library events are avid readers.

Bad: Library patrons like to check out books, not necessarily buy them.

Good: It’s fun and inspiring to chat with people who are really interested in books and writing.

Bad: Turnout is unpredictable. At some events we had 10-15 or more in attendance. At one of the summer programs we had only two.

Good: Librarians are your friends. Get to know them and they will recommend your books to readers and suggest upcoming releases as possible library additions.

Dora and I display our books.

What works: Contacting libraries well in advance of your desired program dates.

What doesn’t work: Expecting the library to get you on the program calendar within a month or two. It can take several weeks to several months to get library approval.

What works: Planning ahead of time whether you will address primarily readers or writers and adjusting your content accordingly.

What doesn’t work: Not clearly advertising your program as Christian or “inspirational.” People have been known to walk out at the first mention of faith.

What works: Promoting the event on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, etc.; also finding out what forms of promotion the library will be using.

What doesn’t work: Scheduling your program either too early or too late on a weeknight evening.

What works: Arriving early enough to get your table and book display set up, visit the ladies’ room, get some water, and mingle with attendees as they arrive.

What doesn’t work: Trusting Google Maps to send you to the right location, then arriving so close to start time that you’re flustered and out of breath.

Dora and I take questions following our "Writing Inspirational Novels" presentation.

What works: Giveaways (bookmarks, postcards, chocolate, etc.) and handouts containing supplemental information.

What doesn’t work: Sitting shyly behind your book table and waiting for people to talk to you.

What works: Interacting with attendees, asking them about their reading interests, and suggesting other authors (yes, your competition!) you think they might enjoy.

What doesn’t work: Not verifying whether the library has copies of your books in circulation.

What works: Donating a copy of your book to the library prior to or, at the latest, the day of your program.

What works: Remembering to send a thank-you note to the program organizer and mentioning your interest in working with him or her in the future.

Bad: Preparing talks and doing programs definitely takes its toll on your writing time.

Good: But in the end, it’s usually worth the sacrifice!

Carolina authors at the Mooresville Library Local Author Showcase, including Carol Stratton, Jennifer Fromke, me, Mary Urban, and Dora Hiers. At this event, all we had to do was mingle--no speaking involved!

Have you braved the library program circuit yet? What do you like most about speaking events? What do you find most challenging?

If you’re a librarian, what advice would you offer authors interested in presenting a program to your patrons?

Join the conversation today to be entered in a drawing for my latest release, A Horseman’s Gift.

   Filipa Beltran is tired . . . sick and tired of living out her parents’ dreams. After years of guitar lessons and the seemingly endless string of part-time jobs to pay for them, Filipa makes a drastic decision to leave New York and the hope of becoming a professional musician behind and return to her hometown, to move forward with her life--on her terms.
    The past year has been nothing short of crazy for Nathan Cross. Once set on becoming a big business mogul, Nathan’s plans derail following his father’s untimely death and his mother’s whirlwind remarriage. Now he’s headed back home to carry on his father’s legacy running an equine therapy program . . . and trusting God to sort out his future.
    When Nathan discovers childhood friend Filipa is also back in town--to stay--he finds it hard to swallow. Maybe she wasn’t the girl he thought, or else she wouldn’t sacrifice everything her parents dreamed of for her.
    Can Nathan and Filipa find contentment in their God-given gifts?