How to Set Up Library Distribution for Your Self-Published Book

Getting your self-published book into public libraries opens a significant readership that operates largely separately from the retail ebook and print markets. Library readers are often voracious readers who might not buy every book they read; library access means they can discover your work at no cost, and some library readers become loyal purchasers of your future books.

Library distribution also generates real income. Libraries pay license fees for ebook access that are substantially higher than retail ebook prices, and they pay for physical copies of books they stock.

This guide covers how library distribution works for ebooks and print books, which services to use, what the economics look like, and what to realistically expect in terms of library acquisitions.

How libraries acquire books

Understanding the library acquisition process helps you know where your efforts are best directed.

Print books: libraries that acquire print books work primarily through distributors (Ingram, Baker & Taylor in the US). When a librarian wants to add a book to their collection, they search the distributor catalog and place an order. A book available through IngramSpark or another Ingram-connected service can be ordered by any library that uses Ingram for acquisitions.

Ebooks: public library ebook lending operates through separate platforms. The three largest in the US:

• OverDrive/Libby: the dominant platform for public library ebook lending in the US. When a library patron checks out an ebook on the library's Libby app, the ebook is licensed through OverDrive's system. Libraries purchase ebook licenses from OverDrive; each license allows a certain number of checkouts before expiring or an unlimited number of checkouts for a longer period, depending on the license type.
• Bibliotheca/cloudLibrary: a competing ebook lending platform used by many public libraries, particularly outside the US. Their cloudLibrary app is the reader-facing product.
• Hoopla: operates differently from OverDrive and Bibliotheca. Hoopla's model has no waitlist; every patron can borrow any available title any time. Libraries pay per borrow rather than per license.

How to get into each: you need a distribution partner that has agreements with these platforms. This is where aggregators and direct service providers come in.

Ebook library distribution options

Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital distributes to OverDrive, Bibliotheca, Hoopla, Baker & Taylor Axis360, and the Palace Marketplace through its distribution network. When you publish a book through D2D and enable library distribution, D2D handles the relationship with each platform.

This is the most common route for indie authors to access library ebook lending. It requires an ISBN on your ebook (some library platforms require it; D2D will note which are required during setup).

Economics on Hoopla: Hoopla pays a fixed fee per borrow (typically around $1 to $1.50 per full borrow, varying by terms). Libraries pay Hoopla per borrow rather than buying licenses; this means your book can be borrowed by any patron with no waitlist, and you receive income for each borrow.

Economics on OverDrive: OverDrive sells metered licenses to libraries. Libraries pay per license, not per borrow within a license term. Your earnings depend on how many libraries acquire licenses and how those licenses are structured (metered vs. perpetual). Through aggregators, the effective per-borrow or per- license rate is lower than direct wholesale.

IngramSpark for ebook library distribution

IngramSpark also distributes ebooks to some library systems through their digital distribution options. For authors already using IngramSpark for print distribution, exploring their ebook library options can consolidate distribution management.

Direct OverDrive / Libby for authors

OverDrive (now owned by KKR and operating through the Libby app) does have programs for small publishers and self-published authors. The process is more complex than going through D2D; for most indie authors, D2D remains the practical entry point.

Print book library distribution

For print books, IngramSpark is the primary route to library access.

How it works: when your print book is available through IngramSpark, libraries that use Ingram as their print book supplier can order it through their standard acquisitions process. Your book appears in Ingram's catalog, where library acquisitions staff can search for it by title, author, ISBN, or category.

Baker & Taylor: some libraries use Baker & Taylor (B&T) rather than Ingram as their primary distributor. B&T has arrangements with IngramSpark for small publishers; books distributed through IngramSpark are often accessible through B&T's system as well, though availability depends on current distribution agreements.

What libraries look for when acquiring:

• Price (library budgets are limited; print books priced below $25 are more commonly acquired)
• Reviews and availability information (having an ISBN in the Ingram catalog with complete metadata helps)
• Relevance to their community's interests
• Author's local connection (local authors often get consideration from their home library system)

The library licensing model vs. retail sales

Library ebook licensing differs from retail ebook sales in a way that's important to understand.

OverDrive metered licenses: a library might pay $15-20 for an ebook license that allows 26 checkouts, or pay $40-50 for a perpetual access license. Either way, the library is paying significantly more per title than a retail reader would. Your cut of these license fees (through aggregators) varies but can be meaningful for popular titles.

Hoopla per-borrow: at roughly $1-1.50 per borrow, a book borrowed 500 times on Hoopla earns $500-750. For a book that might be priced at $4.99 retail, that's equivalent to selling 100-150 copies.

Print library copies: libraries buy print books at regular retail prices through distributors. A library that purchases your $14.99 paperback through Ingram pays that price (at the wholesale discount), and your royalty is calculated the same way it would be for any other print sale.

Approaching libraries directly

Beyond passive availability through distribution, you can proactively contact libraries to make them aware of your book.

Your local library: many public library systems actively support local authors. Contact the acquisitions librarian at your local library, explain you're a local author with a book in their distribution network, and offer to donate a copy or provide information for acquisition. Many libraries will acquire a local author's book simply because of the community connection.

Author events: proposing a library author event (reading, discussion, or workshop) is a way to both build community and get your book into the library's catalog. Libraries often purchase books that are directly related to a programming event.

LibraryAware and similar programs: some distribution services offer tools to market your book directly to library acquisitions staff. These programs are more relevant for larger publishers but are worth exploring.

NetGalley for libraries: NetGalley is a professional advance copy platform used by reviewers, librarians, and media. A NetGalley listing makes your ebook available to library professionals for review consideration, which can drive acquisitions. NetGalley has a cost; the economics make most sense for authors with established sales to librarians who are evaluating books for purchase.

Realistic expectations for library distribution

Library distribution is a long-term, low-intensity revenue stream for most indie authors, not a source of rapid income.

For new authors: your first book may be acquired by very few libraries in its first year. Libraries acquire thousands of titles and have limited budgets; a debut indie author without reviews or an established name competes with traditionally published titles that have professional marketing support.

For authors with a backlist: as you build a publishing history and reader reviews, library acquisition becomes more likely. A library acquisitions librarian who sees an author with 5 books and 200+ Amazon reviews is more likely to add titles than for a debut author.

Hoopla is the most indie-author-friendly: because Hoopla operates without waitlists and libraries pay per borrow, your book's availability through Hoopla doesn't require a library to make an acquisition decision; it's simply available to all Hoopla-connected libraries. Earning through Hoopla requires readers to discover and borrow your book, which takes time to build.

Where library income is most meaningful: libraries are a significant portion of income for nonfiction authors (particularly practical guides, reference books, and academic-adjacent titles), authors whose books appeal to library curation (literary fiction, award-eligible books), and local authors who have a geographic connection to library communities.

Audiobooks and libraries

Library distribution for audiobooks operates through a different set of platforms than ebook distribution.

Findaway Voices: Findaway Voices is an audiobook aggregator that distributes to library platforms including OverDrive (for audiobooks), Bibliotheca's audio product, and Hoopla (which handles audiobooks as well as ebooks). If you have an audiobook version of your book, Findaway Voices is the practical route to library audiobook lending.

ACX and Audible: books produced through ACX (Amazon's audiobook creation exchange) can be distributed through Audible; library ebook distribution for ACX audiobooks is more limited, as ACX's exclusivity requirements affect library platform availability.

For most indie authors, audio library distribution is a secondary consideration; start with ebook and print library distribution before adding audiobook library access.

Working with library ebook licenses

The economics of library ebook licensing are worth understanding in more detail than the retail model.

Metered licenses: OverDrive and Bibliotheca primarily sell metered licenses to libraries. A metered license allows a specific number of checkouts (typically 26 or 52) before the license expires and the library needs to repurchase. Libraries often pay $25-60 for a metered license for a popular title.

Perpetual access licenses: some libraries purchase perpetual access licenses that allow unlimited checkouts. These cost more upfront but don't require renewal. Your earnings per perpetual license are higher upfront but stop after the purchase.

One-copy-one-user model: most OverDrive lending operates on the one-copy-one-user model: a library owns a number of licenses for a book, and only that many patrons can borrow simultaneously. Popular books have waitlists, which can drive awareness as patrons wait for your book.

SimultaneousUse licenses: OverDrive and some other platforms offer unlimited simultaneous use licenses for certain books. These cost more per license but allow any number of patrons to borrow at the same time. Large library systems sometimes purchase these for high-demand titles.

As an indie author, you don't typically control which license type a library purchases; they decide based on demand and budget. Understanding the model helps you understand why libraries are sometimes willing to pay significantly more per license than retail readers pay per book.

ISBN requirements for library distribution

Most library platforms require an ISBN on your ebook for catalog compatibility. Library catalog systems are designed around the ISBN as the primary identifier; books without an ISBN are often not searchable in library acquisitions systems.

If you've been publishing without an ISBN (using Amazon's ASIN on KDP), you'll need to add an ISBN to your ebook to enable library distribution. This is a separate ISBN from your print book's ISBN (ebook and print are different products, each requiring their own identifier). See our ISBN guide for how to obtain and assign ISBNs.

Draft2Digital offers free ISBNs to authors distributing through their service, which can be used for the library distribution platforms they distribute to. As with all distributor-issued ISBNs, D2D would be listed as the publisher of record for that ISBN.

Frequently asked questions

Does library distribution cost anything?

For ebook library distribution through Draft2Digital, there's no separate cost; D2D's standard commission applies. For print library distribution through IngramSpark, the IngramSpark setup fee applies (typically $49 per title).

How long does it take for my book to be available in libraries?

After setting up distribution through D2D or IngramSpark, it takes several weeks to months for your book to be indexed and available in library systems. Library platforms update their catalogs on their own schedules.

Can a patron request my book at their library?

Yes. If your book is in distribution channels that their library uses, a patron can make an acquisition suggestion. Library systems vary in how actively they respond to patron requests; smaller libraries with fewer constraints often fulfill requests for locally available titles.

Does library borrowing hurt my retail sales?

The research generally suggests library borrowing and retail purchasing are complementary rather than competitive. Library borrowers who discover a new author often become retail purchasers of that author's subsequent books, particularly for series.

Should I enroll in KDP Select if I want library distribution?

KDP Select limits your ebook to Amazon only, which means you can't distribute your ebook to library platforms (OverDrive, Hoopla, Bibliotheca) through D2D while enrolled in Select. If library ebook distribution is a priority, you'll need to either skip KDP Select or exit Select before pursuing library ebook distribution. Library print distribution through IngramSpark is not affected by KDP Select, since Select covers ebooks only.

What formats do libraries want for ebooks?

Library platforms generally work with EPUB files, which is the standard format for non-Amazon ebook distribution. Your EPUB generated in LiberScript or another formatting tool is the appropriate file to use. Library platforms may apply their own DRM (digital rights management) to the files after receiving them from the distributor; as the publisher, you don't apply DRM yourself.

Library-focused marketing for indie authors

Beyond passive availability in library catalogs, there are active ways to build library awareness of your work.

ALA and state library associations: the American Library Association (ALA) and state-level library associations run conferences and continuing education programs for librarians. Awareness of indie publishing resources and programs that reach librarians at these events can increase acquisition of independently published titles.

Library Journal and Booklist reviews: these trade publications review books for library audiences. Getting reviewed in Library Journal or Booklist significantly increases a title's chances of being acquired by libraries that use these publications for selection guidance. These publications primarily review traditionally published titles, but they do review some indie titles with quality comparable to trade releases.

IndieReader and Self-Publishing Review: several services specifically review indie books and syndicate reviews to distribution channels that libraries use for selection. A positive review in one of these outlets can increase library acquisition.

Library awareness through author community involvement: authors who are visible in their local reading communities (through author events, community reading programs, school visits, and library programming) build relationships that translate into local library acquisitions. Librarians who know an author and their work are more likely to purchase that author's books for their collection.

The bottom line

Library distribution is a meaningful addition to a wide publishing strategy for most indie authors, even if it's not the highest-volume revenue channel immediately. The most practical route: distribute ebooks through Draft2Digital (which reaches Hoopla, OverDrive, and Bibliotheca) and distribute print through IngramSpark (which reaches library print acquisition systems through Ingram's catalog).

For a complete look at wide distribution, see our guide on going wide vs KDP Select and our IngramSpark guide. Format your ebook for all platforms with LiberScript: get started or see pricing.