Should Readers Feel Bad About Using Libraries Instead of Buying Books?
Is there a reason to feel bad about checking out a library book instead of buying that same book yourself?
A recent Huffington Post article got me thinking about why readers might feel bad about checking out books from the library rather than buying books and working with authors, I understood why this might be a concern for some readers initially.
Some authors and readers think that buying a book is a better way to support an author. The more books an author sells, the better, right? Well, the answer is a little more complicated than you might think.
Of course, authors do appreciate it when you buy their books. That doesn't mean authors also don't appreciate it when people check their books out at a library.
So, whether you're a reader, author, or both, let's talk about why you shouldn't avoid your local library and how there are many ways you can support an author.
Authors are still paid when libraries buy books.
A common misconception is that authors are automatically losing money when someone chooses to check out their book at a library rather than buy it. However, this isn't necessarily true since libraries pay authors at the same rate retailers do when purchasing their books.
Libraries have budgets for books that they have to spend, so librarians are constantly on the hunt for new books that will appeal to their readers. If a book is popular, libraries also often buy multiple copies of a book at a time. Additionally, libraries will repurchase the same book if their existing copies become too worn.
If you're a reader and you find yourself constantly checking out the same book, then it's probably worth purchasing it—and yes, you'll be supporting the author financially when you do. However, you're still supporting an author when you check out a book.
An author receives helpful exposure when their book is in a library, which can lead to a good relationship with their community.
Libraries are amazing resources that authors often overlook when considering selling and marketing their books. In reality, libraries often serve as community hubs that bring diverse groups of people together. You never know who will see your book on the library shelf, and having your book in a library, especially a local library, can help you foster a positive relationship with your community.
For example, an author whose book is at a local library can speak with the librarians and ask if it's possible to hold events such as book signings at the library. Libraries often budget for events like these, and holding an event at a library can benefit authors and their communities. Our VIP Marketing Concierge, Jean Sime, often helps authors connect with their local libraries in order to set up these events, which can lead to long-lasting relationships between authors and their libraries!
When readers check out books at the library, they're letting the library know that they're interested in similar books. This encourages libraries to seek out additional books, possibly from the same author, that are similar to the ones being checked out often.
Authors want to share their messages with the world, and libraries help them.
Although most authors do want to profit from their books, many authors are driven to publish their books to share a meaningful message or story with others. One of the best ways to share a book's message is by making that book available in a library.
A book usually has a far longer "shelf life" in a library than it would on an individual's bookshelf because that one book will be read again and again by a multitude of people. People who may not have otherwise heard about the book can go to their local libraries and find books that deeply resonate with them.
The majority of authors want to impact the world around them, and each time a new reader picks up their book, the author has the opportunity to change someone's life. Whenever someone checks a book out at a library, they are helping an author meet their goal of reaching others.
Ultimately, there are many ways to help authors, and checking out an author's book from a library is one way you can show an author your support.
Have you ever felt guilty about checking out a library book instead of buying it, or have you always felt that checking out a library book is a legitimate way to support an author?
A quick note to our readers:
Recently, we have started offering paid monthly or annual subscriptions to our Substack. Our weekly newsletters will always be free, but we have created paid options for those who want to give additional support to KWE Publishing. Soon, we will provide a variety of perks for those who choose one of the paid subscriptions, including query letter and chapter outline templates, in-depth articles and downloadable graphics covering topics such as unexpected parts of publishing and how to find an illustrator, quarterly “ask-me-anything” posts, and more.
Whether you choose to subscribe for free or pay for your subscription, we greatly appreciate your support!
If you are writing a book and want a hand, let us know! Our team—Kim, Emily, and Jean—would love to help you with creating your book. If you'd like to talk about your idea or want advice, we are here for you. Even if we don't work together, I'm happy to share what I know. Book a 30-minute complimentary consultation by clicking here:
https://www.kwepub.com/consultation
We look forward to hearing about your incredible book project.
Write on!
Kim Eley
KWE Publishing
“The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”
—Albert Einstein
Exclusive KWE Webinar: How Muddled Marketing Keeps Nonfiction Authors from Making Money
We’re excited to share our upcoming exclusive webinar, How Muddled Marketing Keeps Nonfiction Authors from Making Money, with guest speaker Suzanne Tregenza Moore on Jun 18, 2024, at 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Eastern!
Suzanne Tregenza Moore helps entrepreneurs and non-fiction authors narrow their focus onto the most important things they need to do to bring revenue into their business, rather than playing the game of Whack-a-Mole with their to-do list.
You will learn:
The #1 mistake authors make;
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Free Upcoming Workshop with Dr. Anne Bartolucci!
Dr. Anne Bartolucci will be holding a free webinar on June 27th, 2024, at noon Eastern! She shares:
Have you ever set a goal and then asked yourself later, "What the #$@& was I thinking???"
Let’s be honest…setting goals is fun. Doing some of the things necessary to achieve them?
Not so much.
Then how do you stay motivated when the going gets tedious?
How can you feel satisfied with progress all the way through the process, not only at the end?
Values are the magic ingredient.
This is a good thing because everyone has them.
Join Dr. Anne Bartolucci, clinical psychologist, author of two nonfiction books, and USA Today Bestselling author of 20+ novels and novellas as she teaches you how to connect Values to making and achieving real-life creative goals.
In this workshop, you’ll learn:
- How to reverse-engineer your existing goals to uncover the values that drove you to make them
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Resources:
Here at KWE Publishing, we want to share a few of our favorite resources with our newsletter readers. Check back weekly to see what resources we recommend!
Clearly, we’re big supporters of libraries at KWE Publishing, and we know how valuable libraries are for communities, readers, and authors! However, we know that accessing public libraries isn’t always easy for everyone. Thankfully, you don’t have to make an in-person visit to access your library with hoopla!
With a tagline of “your public library at your fingertips,” hoopla is an amazing resource for readers who want to access the perks of a library on the go. Hoopla works like a digital library, allowing you to borrow not just ebooks but also audiobooks, movies, music albums, magazines, TV shows, and more! Just use your library card and borrow a new book, show, or album! One of the best parts about hoopla is that it’s free, so you don’t have to worry about spending tons of money when using the site. Overall, hoopla is a wonderful site that helps people everywhere access amazing media anywhere they go.