Special Topic: Readers' Advisory and Self-Published Authors

Recent indie hits (think Andy Weir, Kristen Proby, and E.L. James) have created a demand in the self-publishing market and libraries are beginning to take notice.The truth is the majority of self-published books found in a library's collection are written by local authors and are specific to local areas. These books are usually found in the genealogy or local history collection.  More scrutiny is often given to self-published, non-fiction books before they are added to the collection and are dependent on the strong credentials of the subject matter and the author. However, there is an emerging trend in the fiction self-publish market. 

                Many authors became frustrated and disillusioned with the difficulty of getting their work

published. Propelled by the huge demand for romance, science fiction and adventure novels,

many authors searched for alternative avenues to bring their books directly to the reader. To fill

this void in the publishing industry, companies such as Smashwords, Amazon and other self-

publishing organizations make available for authors to self-publish their books directly to the

public via e-readers. Savvy authors are learning to market and distribute their own books by

using algorithms used for online book recommendations.  Authors who go the self-publishing

route have more freedom over their work, have access to vast area of readers and keep a larger

share of royalties.  E-books are not the only format used by self-published authors, they are also

expanding into print and audio-books. According to the article Self-Publishing in 2017 "self-

publishing continues to expand, with ISBN registrations jumping 21% from 2014 to

2015 (the most recent data available), according to the bibliographic solutions company

Bowker" (Daniel, 2017). This does not include the 30% of self-publishers who do not register for ISBN

numbers. With the expanding self-published market, libraries need to recognize alternative

inclusion of materials outside of the traditional collection policies in order to provide a wider

variety of materials to library users.

Challenges

                Self-published books face several challenges in becoming recognized as legitimate

contenders for a spot in the library's collection, let alone included as part of readers' advisory. 

Libraries are not yet embracing the self-published trend despite the increase in self-published

material. Librarians generally think self-published books as lesser quality that do not go through

the same rigors of vetting as traditional published works.  They believe that self-published books

lack formatting and editing appeal, such as spacing, typesetting flaws, spelling and grammatical

errors. They also reject self-published books for lacking peer review. In order to establish a

reputation within the self-published industry, many authors are producing quality products by

using  freelancer services.

                Librarians currently rely on a well established practices to acquire material for the library. 

Independent authors work outside the parameters of the establishment, so it makes inclusion a

little more costly and time-consuming. Librarians must determine how to locate, review, select

and incorporate self-published books while holding them to the standard collection development

policy requirements. Since authors work outside of vendors, they may not have the business

skills needed for the invoicing process if their book is chosen.  Once chosen, technical services

will need to perform original cataloging to generate bibliographic records. 

                Librarians realize that the self-published collection are generally small compared to the

regular collection, so staff time will be minimum. Libraries are taking a variety of approaches to

add local and general self-published authors to their collection through the use of e-book

platforms such as Overdrive. It would be helpful if authors manage to get their books into vendor

catalogs or on genre websites that list upcoming books.  

                Independent authors who work only in electronic format are now represented on

Overdrive thanks to a deal made with Smashwords. It is now possible to have books available

that are equally represented by genre, instead of a separate category listing for self-published

material. Self-published authors are also gaining in the book market thanks to review sites such

as Self-Publishing Review (www.selfpublishingreview.com), Publisher's Weekly's Book Life

(www.booklife.com), and Goodreads (www.goodreads.com).

                The value of offering library users a diverse and fresh collection overrides all the

challenges faced with the inclusion of self-published material.  Libraries should keep in mind 

that "books need to find their readers to achieve their full value, and libraries offering self-

published titles are keeping the readers in mind as well as the authors" (Landgraf, 2015). This

goes with fulfilling the library's obligation to offer an outlet for self-published books, particularly

local authors, by making material available for users of all ages, genres, orientations, and ethnic

backgrounds. By doing so, libraries would be supporting the mission to include all phases of the

creative process.

                With the inclusion of self-published book in the library collection, librarians have a wider

variety of materials to add to readers' advisory.  Supporting the promotion of the collection

provides a greater connection with the community in general and the local writer's community in

particular.  Libraries could feature a readers' advisory which would include traditional and

independent authors on special bookmarks, book displays, end caps and finding aids. Classes and

workshops create a great opportunity where self-publishing authors could learn, network and

promote their books. Other options could include book lists, reviews, annotations and read alike

ideas.  Interactive forms could provide the public a way to share and comment on their favorite

self-published author or book. Book trailers adds a nice visual element to the promotion of

materials.

                Library catalogs provide a powerful promotional tool through the inclusion of tags and

reviews attached to item records.  Tagging is used by many in the commercial industry to

provide more useful and honest assessment of reading materials.  Many cataloging systems

search for materials through a series of subject headings and neutral descriptors that are ideal for

searching non-fiction materials.  Many users search for fiction titles through the use of emotions

and reading experience and traditional cataloguing fails to connect with fiction readers which

requires a more personal approach. Catalog use of tagging would allow user-generated reviews

to share the same interests with like-minded readers. User-generated content would complement

traditional cataloguing features to enhance user's search options by connecting the right book to

the right reader.

                For those library users who do not often visit the library, an online reader's advisory

presence could be very beneficial.  Working with customers in-person could sometimes be

awkward due to the constraints working at a public desk.  Interviews are sometimes rushed and

inefficient as librarians juggle multiple tasks at once and recommending the right book,

especially self-published, is difficult at best.  An online presence through the library's

website would help provide more personalized readers' advisory interview and alleviate any

potential impediments of an in-person interview.  This will likely appeal to some customers due

to the privacy and convenience it affords.  Many libraries have an Ask-A-Librarian link where

library users could ask a question and will receive a response in a timely manner.  This will

allow the librarian to have a dialog with the user and find material to best serve their needs.  The

challenge with Ask-A-Librarian is the dialog takes place through email and a ready response is

not always possible.  Readers' advisory questions are too numerous and do not support the

slower response of the Ask-A-Librarian feature.  The library website could also provide links to

external websites, event calendar, and other resources that could include published and self-

published material.  The library website should be updated often to keep the content current and

interesting.

                Providing virtual service is not limited to the library's website, social media is strong

marketing tool many libraries are utilizing.  Facebook, Twitter, and blogs are known to draw

many to services that might be overlooked in a physical library setting and would reach out to

different customer types that normally do not access the physical library location.  The increase

in tablets and mobile devices allows users to access library content via the internet remotely from

any location.  Social media is a great way to communicate and promote readers' advisory

services, both published and self-published authors. 

                Social media is a great resource to feature books, authors and specific genres.  Librarians

could easily add selected language to engage readers' interest and create a discussion.  Social

media appeals to many users due to the personalization of having direct communication with

knowledgeable library staff and like minded-readers.  It could include titles and reviews not

found on the library catalog and alert users about upcoming books and displays.  Reading

suggestions and read a-likes could be featured along with links that will direct patrons to website

with further information.  Followers of the library's social media could attract more users as they

share information with family and friends.  Social media will also provide the needed to research

popular and new self-published authors.

                Challenges libraries might face when implement readers' advisory on social media, would

be the need to establish guidelines, staff training and experience with social media tools,  and

sufficient time for staff to implement readers' advisory sources.

                An indirect advantages of the use of social media is the collection of data to provide

statistical summaries from patrons comments and links visited.  This valuable insight could be

used to update services and to guide in the library's long-range goals to further serve the

community.