As a collection development librarian, you are constantly seeking ways to expand your library's offerings while staying within budget. One of the best opportunities right now is purchasing eBooks directly from indie authors. Many indie authors have written dozens of novels, non-fiction works, and more, but often struggle to gain visibility or substantial sales. By partnering with these authors, your library can access a wealth of content at a lower cost, benefiting both the library and its patrons.
Perpetual Licenses: A Game Changer for Libraries
Unlike traditional publishers who impose restrictive licensing agreements, indie authors are more flexible. Many are willing to sell eBooks to libraries under a perpetual license model. This means you buy the book once and can lend it out indefinitely, without worrying about expiring licenses or limited checkouts. This cost-effective model frees your library from constant renewals, making it easier to maintain a robust digital collection.
Support for Indie Authors and Copyright Ownership
By purchasing directly from indie authors, you are supporting a group of writers who have complete control over their work. Indie authors retain full copyright, allowing them to offer flexible licensing terms that major publishers don’t. Many of these authors have already produced extensive catalogs of books, spanning multiple genres. These aren’t just one-off titles—some indie authors have written dozens of books, and your library could become a hub for discovering these hidden gems.
Indie authors are often happy to collaborate with libraries because it gives their work a broader audience. Since they own the rights to their books, they are more willing to negotiate terms that benefit both your library and themselves. It's a win-win: authors gain exposure, and libraries get a growing selection of high-quality content without paying hefty fees.
Filling the Shelves with Diverse Titles
One of the biggest challenges libraries face is managing waitlists for popular titles. Indie eBooks could be the solution. By purchasing from indie authors, you are bringing in a wide variety of genres, ensuring patrons have access to more titles immediately, rather than waiting for a single copy to be returned. Whether it's fantasy, romance, thrillers, or niche non-fiction topics, indie authors provide a diversity of content that can appeal to all types of readers.
This approach helps you serve patrons looking for fresh reads and ensures that no one leaves empty-handed. It also reduces pressure on high-demand, best-selling titles, since readers will have plenty of alternatives to explore.
Indie eBooks: A Budget-Friendly Addition
For budget-conscious libraries, indie eBooks offer an affordable way to grow collections. Indie authors typically price their books much lower than traditional publishers, and without the recurring costs of licenses, your library can stretch its budget further. This lets you provide more value to patrons, offering them a vast array of books without compromising the library’s financial health.
By including indie eBooks in your digital catalog, you are also offering patrons a chance to discover new voices and fresh perspectives. Libraries have always been about promoting a love of reading, and indie authors bring something special to the table: unique stories that may not have otherwise reached your shelves.
Ready to Make the Shift?
The indie author community is rich with talented writers eager to share their work with the world. By embracing indie eBooks and promoting their availability to your patrons, you can expand your collection without the headaches that come with traditional eBook licensing.
As a forward-thinking librarian, you have the power to offer your patrons a wealth of diverse, readily available titles—while giving indie authors the platform they deserve. It’s time to rethink your collection strategy and explore the benefits of indie eBooks for your library.