I'm in this weird position where I'm standing on both sides of the desk (an author trying to get libraries to carry my book, AND a librarian that receives letters from authors trying to get libraries to carry their books).
I get letters, post cards, actual books, even "Attention Branch Manager: BUY MY BOOK!" emails... and I always send/forward them to the librarian in charge of acquisitions over at the MAIN location (even physical books). Why? In large library systems, branch managers may not always be the ones selecting materials for their branch (I do not have the authority to order books for my branch, but I can suggest materials from the acquisitions librarian to add to my branch's collections).
How has this helped me as an author?
I recently designed postcards with info about my book and myself on it to send to libraries. I found a list of all the public libraries in the state (in the thousands, yall!). I'm going county by county. One city has 12 libraries listed... they are all in the same library system (as opposed to, for example, a county that has 1 system of 6 libraries, AND 5 smaller libraries spread out across the county NOT in that system). So, rather than send them to all twelve branches, I will only send it to the MAIN location addressed to the acquisitions librarian.
Saves me stamps! (and wasting postcards on locations that may throw it away).
Also, many libraries list their department heads on their main page, I'd address it to them. It also shows that you did your research if you can address them by name. They may be more inclined to actually read it if it is addressed to them (I know I was, when I was a collection/acquisition librarian)!
(disclaimer: I have no idea how international library systems or acquisitions work, so this is for US based authors. Also, the above are my opinions based on my own experiences as a self-pub author and a public librarian in 2 different library systems in 2 counties)
I get letters, post cards, actual books, even "Attention Branch Manager: BUY MY BOOK!" emails... and I always send/forward them to the librarian in charge of acquisitions over at the MAIN location (even physical books). Why? In large library systems, branch managers may not always be the ones selecting materials for their branch (I do not have the authority to order books for my branch, but I can suggest materials from the acquisitions librarian to add to my branch's collections).
How has this helped me as an author?
I recently designed postcards with info about my book and myself on it to send to libraries. I found a list of all the public libraries in the state (in the thousands, yall!). I'm going county by county. One city has 12 libraries listed... they are all in the same library system (as opposed to, for example, a county that has 1 system of 6 libraries, AND 5 smaller libraries spread out across the county NOT in that system). So, rather than send them to all twelve branches, I will only send it to the MAIN location addressed to the acquisitions librarian.
Saves me stamps! (and wasting postcards on locations that may throw it away).
Also, many libraries list their department heads on their main page, I'd address it to them. It also shows that you did your research if you can address them by name. They may be more inclined to actually read it if it is addressed to them (I know I was, when I was a collection/acquisition librarian)!
(disclaimer: I have no idea how international library systems or acquisitions work, so this is for US based authors. Also, the above are my opinions based on my own experiences as a self-pub author and a public librarian in 2 different library systems in 2 counties)
