How to Get Your Self-Published Book into Libraries (2026 Guide)
9 min read · Updated October 2026
Libraries are an often overlooked market for self-published authors. A library copy can put your book in front of many readers who might then buy the rest of your catalogue, and libraries pay for the titles they acquire. Getting in is not automatic, but it is more achievable than most authors assume. The catch is that libraries do not shop the way consumers do, so you need to know where they buy, what they expect and how to make a librarian's decision easy. This guide covers how libraries acquire books, how to get your ebook, audiobook and print edition into the right systems, how to price for library budgets, and how to build the demand that gets you chosen.
How do libraries actually buy books?
Libraries do not buy from Amazon listings. They order through library platforms and wholesalers. For ebooks and audiobooks, that means digital lending platforms such as OverDrive, whose reader app is Libby, and hoopla. For print, it means wholesale catalogues such as Ingram's, plus library suppliers that draw on those catalogues.
Librarians also rely on professional review sources, publisher catalogues and patron requests when deciding what to buy. A self-published book usually has no marketing department pushing it into those channels, so the two jobs are yours: be orderable through the systems libraries already use, and give them a reason to look.
A book a librarian cannot order through their usual supplier is very unlikely to be bought, however good it is. Treat availability as step one and persuasion as step two.
How do you get your ebook into library platforms?
Several distributors deliver indie ebooks to library platforms, including Draft2Digital, PublishDrive and Kobo Writing Life. When you publish through them you can usually opt in to library distribution and set a library price. Which platforms each distributor reaches, and on what terms, changes over time, so check their current help pages before you choose.
Library distribution is not possible while your ebook is enrolled in KDP Select, because Select requires ebook exclusivity to Amazon. This is one of the main reasons authors who value library readers publish wide. If you are weighing it up, our guide on whether KDP Select is worth it covers the trade-offs.
Before you upload, make sure the basics are clean: a properly formatted EPUB, accurate metadata, a clear category and a good description. Library staff browse catalogues by subject and genre, so metadata that fits the genre helps them find you.
Can audiobooks reach libraries too?
Yes, and audiobooks are a strong library format. Many readers borrow audiobooks through Libby and hoopla because they are expensive to buy outright. Some audiobook distributors deliver to library platforms, but terms vary, and exclusivity choices on some retail routes can limit where else you can sell. Read the distribution terms before you commit.
If you are creating one, plan for library distribution from the start. CruxOne, for example, produces ACX-compliant MP3 files and chaptered M4B files with neural voices, but whichever route you use, check what your chosen distributor accepts and where it delivers.
Our guide to creating an audiobook walks through production and distribution in more detail.
How do you make your print book available to libraries?
For print, list the book in a wholesale catalogue that libraries and their suppliers use. For most indie authors that means publishing the print edition through IngramSpark with your own ISBN. Set a wholesale discount and returns option that booksellers and library suppliers can work with. Our IngramSpark guide explains the setup, and the guide on ISBNs explains why you want to own yours.
A durable format helps. Libraries favour sturdy editions, and hardcovers are often preferred for books expected to circulate heavily. Check your trim size, paper and cover finish, because a book that looks and feels professional is judged more kindly on a shelf.
Print on demand makes this low-risk, because nothing is printed until it is ordered. A professional cover, clean interior and accurate metadata matter more here than anything else you can control.
How should you price ebooks for libraries?
Library ebook prices are usually set separately from retail prices, and they are often higher, because a library copy is lent to many readers over time. Distributors typically let you set the library price and choose the lending model, such as one copy for one reader at a time. Available models and limits differ by platform and change, so confirm the current options.
Keep the price reasonable for a library budget. A library is more likely to take a chance on an unfamiliar author whose book is priced sensibly, especially for the first book in a series.
Remember that a library sale usually earns you less per reader than a retail sale, but it reaches people who might never have paid for an unknown author. Think of it as discovery that also pays, not as your main income.
How do you get librarians to choose your book?
Start local. Many libraries support local authors, and some run local-author collections or events. Contact your local library with a short, professional introduction: what the book is, who it is for, where it can be ordered, and its ISBN. Offering a talk or workshop gives them another reason to say yes. The Library Pitch Generator can help you draft the email.
Readers are your best advocates. Most libraries let patrons request purchases, so ask your readers and mailing list to request your book at their library, giving the title, author and ISBN. Patron demand is one of the strongest signals a librarian receives. Our guide to building an email list shows how to reach those readers.
Reviews help too. Librarians often look for outside validation before buying an unknown title, so a handful of credible reviews on your listing and from independent reviewers makes the decision easier. Our guide to getting book reviews covers how to earn them.
Frequently asked questions
Can self-published books be in libraries?
Yes. Make the book available through library platforms and wholesale catalogues, then give librarians a reason to choose it, such as reviews, local ties or patron requests.
How do I get my ebook on OverDrive and Libby?
Publish through a distributor that delivers to library platforms, such as Draft2Digital, PublishDrive or Kobo Writing Life, and opt in to library distribution. Check current terms first.
Can I be in libraries if my book is in Kindle Unlimited?
Not the ebook. KDP Select requires ebook exclusivity to Amazon, which rules out library ebook distribution. Print editions can still reach libraries.
How do libraries order print books?
Through wholesale catalogues such as Ingram's and the suppliers that use them. Publishing the print edition through IngramSpark with your own ISBN makes it orderable.
How can readers help get my book into libraries?
Ask them to request it at their library with the title, author and ISBN. Most libraries accept purchase requests, and reader demand strongly influences what they buy.