I heard comments/complaints in a writer’s group recently that “it is impossible to get your book into the library” and they “throw your book out after 5 years.”
Is that true?
Yes, probably. Library books come and go. As a professional public librarian for years (OK – decades!), I want to clarify that process.
INCOMING
1- Public librarians are supported by a governing body – city, county, or district. The librarians need to know for each book they purchase: “Is this book worth buying for this community at this particular time?”
For example, my local community has a very active stamp-collecting club in town, so our library carries way more books on stamp collecting than the average library. If the high school sponsors a parent program with an “expert,” the library will purchase or borrow multiple copies of that author’s works anticipating interest.
2- Because they cannot read every book they buy, librarians must rely on dependable reviews and predictions of the next bestsellers. Librarians read the reviews in Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and School Library Journal about 6 months ahead of the book’s publication. Many of those reviewing sources do have pages for self-published and paid reviews.
3- Then libraries contract with one distributor (Ingram or Baker and Taylor) and purchase all the books from that source – so arranging to print or be listed in those catalogs is an advantage.
For each book bought, the librarians must consider those factors. Even if you are a regular patron. Even if you want to donate your book, it will be evaluated before adding to the collection.
OUTGOING
At the other end of life on the shelf, books that are out of date factually or whose author is no longer popular are removed. A well-organized library will evaluate books after 5 years, check the information to see if it is still valid and useful, see how many times it has been checked out, and if later books fill the subject matter need better. If they have purchased multiple copies of an award winner or popular author, they will keep one or two.
Books are not put in the dumpster! They are usually removed from the collection and given to the library book sale where they may be purchased by teachers for classroom use or individuals to have at home. Leftover books from the sale are donated to shelters.
WHY?
Librarians feel confident doing this because they are part of larger library systems at the state and national levels. That means if they have removed a copy of a particular book, the title or information is in storage and can be requested by interlibrary loan.
The Library of Congress may not have a copy of every book published in the United States, but it does hold a collection of more than 25.49 million cataloged books in the Library of Congress classification system in 3 massive buildings and 1 high-density storage unit, all of which are accessible upon request.
Let me just add the librarians would love to buy every single book! Plus, we are very fun people.
Multi award winning author Robin Currie led children’s departments of Midwestern public libraries before being called to ordained ministry. She has a special love for children’s literacy and storytelling. She serves in Chicago area parishes and volunteers teaching English in developing countries while writing stories to read and read again.
