How To Get Your Favorite Books in Your Local Library

Including Casey Grimes of course

Hey,

If you read a lot, at some point you’ve probably wondered, How do I get [this book I like] in my library so I can check it out? People ask me this question on the regular about Casey Grimes. What you may not know is some authors are even asking this question about their own books, like this lady:

Ok, so apparently the answer isn’t obvious. Let’s talk about this a little. And just so you know, what we’re about to discuss applies to any book you’d like to see in your local library, not just Casey Grimes.

First off, let me point something out. If you’re like Quenby, and you’re afraid to go to the library in person, possibly riding your bike, you’re gonna have a hard time checking out books. This memeish idea that writers (and readers) are so shy that conversations with people IRL can cause trauma…is pretty stupid.

I would go so far as to say it’s a dumb trope. If you are a bookworm, you still ought to be able to smile and say hi. If you are an author, you still ought to be able to carry on a conversation. What do you think? Am I being too mean?

Anyway, maybe Quenby has no problem talking to people, and she’s just understandably nervous about asking a librarian to put her own books in the library. Which would be awkward.

And that brings us back to our question.

First of all, there’s no magic button to push to “get a book in all the public libraries.” The Casey Grimes books are in quite a few of them, but every once in a while, someone comments on one of my posts and says, I have a great idea—you need to put your books in all the public libraries! Or: If your books were really great, they’d be in all the public libraries! Something like that.

Naturally, fans like it when their favorite books show up on library shelves. Authors like it too. It’s a win-win. So why isn’t every book in every library?

At this point, you’ve probably guessed. Shelf space is a problem. Not even the most hyped books, published by the biggest presses, appear in every library.

Factor in the thousands of books published by indie authors like me and you understand the logjam. Odds are, only the most famous and most promoted books will appear. That’s because a lot of authors don’t have marketing firms and industry connections.

But there’s something more powerful than a PR department.

Go to your library. Choose a friendly-looking librarian. Say, “Hello, I was wondering if you can order a book for me that I really want to read.”

Believe it or not, this works probably ninety percent of the time. The librarian will write down the book or books you want. Within a week or two, they’ll appear on the library shelves. The librarian may even send you a note to let you know the books arrived.

Why does this work? Because most librarians really want people to read, especially kids. Makes sense, right? If they can put books on the shelves they know people will read, they are happy to do it. It’s a guaranteed win, like Gloria playing Uno.

Against my better judgement, I’ll tell you a secret. A lot of libraries have book request forms online. You can fill them out in minutes. Without leaving your house. If they don’t have a Suggest For Purchase button, you can accomplish the same thing by emailing the library. So even if you have skin that shrivels in the sunlight because you are secretly part Tree Shriek…you can still ask a library to buy your favorite books.

Of course, you’ll have to check them out in person.

Good news, right? I’m surprised how many people don’t know this. The catch is it doesn’t work so well for authors. Libraries are happy to hear from readers who want new books on the shelves. They’re not so interested in hearing from authors who want their own books on the shelves. You get it.

So when books from indie authors like me appear at the Antioch Acres or Bubble Springs or New Athens Library, it’s because a reader like you asked the library to order them. Which is awesome.

As an author, it’s a big compliment, and of course it helps more people discover the stories. It’s like you, the reader, are part of a street team spreading the word about Casey Grimes. So if you have asked your library to get my books, Thank You. ❤️ And if you notice your library doesn’t have Casey Grimes…now you know what to do.

Hey, wait a minute—is this whole post about AJ asking me to get his books in my local library? Nope, this will work with any book you want to read. But yes, I’d love it if you asked your library to order the Casey Grimes books. I’d even love to see photos of the books on the shelves, you know, out in the wild. Of course I would!

Finally, and this is a bonus section…there is one more wrinkle we can add. If you want to make a slam dunk case to your librarian about why she should order the Casey Grimes books…or other books you like…you could use a flyer to show how great the books are and what a win it would be for the library to own them.

On that topic, here’s a flyer I created for someone to hand to a librarian. You’re welcome to steal it and print it.

And here’s a flyer created by a reader, Brooklyn, to use in her own library. I had to share it because its so cool.

Check out the details. Robert has a camo vest, along with the trademark spiky hair. If you look real close, you can see the light blue string from Luci’s beast deterrent necklace as she gives someone dagger eyes. Casey is cautiously hopeful and Gloria is daring in all pink. We’ve got appearances from all the main characters in the series, plus a scythe staff, a dragon, Alias the crow, and the split screen that combines action and closeups. Not to mention the color gradient. If you want to have some fun promoting a series you love by creating amazing artwork, this would be the way to do it. Great work, Brooklyn.

And now you know how to get your favorite books in your local library—including Casey Grimes, of course.