Libraries are a hidden revenue stream for indie authors — they buy books outright, generate Overdrive/Libby borrows that pay royalties, and build long-term discoverability. Here is the complete playbook for 2025.
When a library orders your print book through IngramSpark, you receive full wholesale payment upfront — not a loan, a sale.
Every ebook borrow through Libby (OverDrive) generates a royalty payment. Popular library ebooks can be borrowed hundreds of times per year.
Library patrons who love your book buy the next one on Amazon. Libraries are a low-cost reader acquisition channel.
Most indie authors ignore libraries entirely, which means the competition is thin. A self-published book with solid reviews, IngramSpark distribution, and a direct email to the acquisitions librarian has a genuinely good chance of being stocked — especially in local or regional libraries where the librarian wants to support area authors.
This is the single most important step. Virtually all public libraries in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia order print books through Ingram — the world's largest book distributor. If your book is not in the Ingram catalogue, librarians simply cannot order it through their standard system.
How to set it up:
Note: You can use both KDP print and IngramSpark simultaneously. KDP handles Amazon sales; IngramSpark handles library and bookstore distribution.
OverDrive powers the Libby app — the dominant ebook lending platform used by libraries worldwide. To get your ebook on OverDrive, you need to distribute through an approved aggregator.
Draft2Digital
Modern interface, free formatting tools, distributes to OverDrive. Recommended for new authors. Takes 10% commission on sales.
Smashwords
Now owned by D2D. Established library relationships, dedicated Smashwords storefront. Good for authors already on the platform.
Important: if your ebook is in KDP Select (Kindle Unlimited), you cannot distribute to OverDrive. You must leave KDP Select first.
LibraryThing is a book cataloguing community with a strong library-affiliated readership. Their Early Reviewers program is free for authors and sends ARCs to readers who then post reviews on LibraryThing, Amazon, and Goodreads.
Why this matters for libraries: Acquisition librarians actively check LibraryThing ratings when evaluating whether to purchase a book. A well-reviewed LibraryThing listing can directly trigger library orders.
Submit your book at librarything.com/er/. The program runs in monthly batches. Members apply for books they want, and you fulfill requests with physical copies or ebooks.
BiblioBoard's SELF-e program is specifically designed for indie authors and small presses. It allows you to submit your ebook directly to participating US public library systems — often your regional or state library consortium.
This is the most underutilized strategy. Local libraries actively want to support local authors — you just need to make it easy for them.
Sample email template:
Target your local branch first, then expand to neighboring county systems, then state-level systems. Always mention your Amazon review count — librarians use it as a quality signal.
An LCCN is a cataloguing number assigned by the Library of Congress. It does not guarantee your book will be in every library, but it significantly increases credibility with acquisition librarians and allows your book to be properly catalogued in the national library system.
Before a librarian orders your book, they check two things: your Amazon star rating and your Goodreads rating. A book with fewer than 10 reviews is considered unproven. A book with 15+ reviews and a 4.0+ average is considered a safe acquisition.
This is why building your review count before reaching out to libraries matters. ARC reviews collected through platforms like iWrity directly improve your library acquisition odds.
The library-review loop: More reviews → library acquires book → library borrows add to your royalties → more readers find your book → more Amazon reviews → more library acquisitions.
Books with 15+ Amazon reviews are 3 times more likely to be acquired by public libraries
of indie author income can come from library distribution once IngramSpark is set up
Librarians check Amazon reviews before acquiring books. iWrity connects your book with ARC readers who post honest reviews — helping you hit the 15+ review threshold that makes libraries take notice.
Get ARC Reviews on iWrityFree to start — no subscription required to list your book
