Case Study: Self-Publishing and Libraries
CHALLENGE: Two public libraries and one state library needed a scalable process for acquiring and curating ebooks submitted by local independent authors. In addition, they needed a method for distributing the content to patrons both inside and outside their local communities.
SOLUTION: All three libraries chose SELF-e, a partnership between Library Journal and BiblioBoard, to streamline the entire workflow, from a simple author submission process to professional curation and patron-facing ebook delivery with an unlimited, multi-user access model.
BENEFITS: SELF-e provides libraries with an intuitive, streamlined and cost-effective system for acquiring and distributing quality local ebook, freeing library staff from developing and maintaining complex applications and workflows.
LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY One of the largest public library systems in the United States, Los Angeles Public Library serves over 70 branches throughout the region. With a diverse creative community, LAPL seeks to provide free information and technology to enrich local livelihood.
ARIZONA STATE LIBRARY, ARCHIVES AND PUBLIC RECORDS In partnership with libraries across the state, the state library of Arizona developed the Reading Arizona ebook platform and ONEBOOKAZ, a program that brings communities together through the written word. With both Reading Arizona and ONEBOOKAZ, the state library and its partners promote literacy while uniting readers through statewide reading programs.
CUYAHOGA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY Cuyahoga County Public Library is committed to being the center of community life at their more than 25 branches, as evidenced by their nationally recognized circulation and program attendance numbers.
Although libraries support their local creative communities in limitless ways, they often lack the time and resources for processing, evaluating and distributing ebook submitted directly by local authors. Recently, three libraries with diverse service populations chose SELF-e to meet various aspects of this challenge. Los Angeles Public Library needed a scalable method to take in and filter numerous direct ebook submissions without compromising existing library services. Meanwhile, the Reading Arizona and ONEBOOKAZ programs launched by the state library of Arizona sought to create a statewide ebook collection, but had no infrastructure in place to manage the technical components of ingesting ebook files or sharing that content with readers. Finally, Cuyahoga County Public Library supports its community through various writing programs and workshops, but lacked a means of connecting content creators with a wider audience. Despite having distinct concerns, Los Angeles Public Library, the state library of Arizona and Cuyahoga County Public Library all turned to SELF-e as their solution. SELF-e is an innovative collaboration between Library Journal and BiblioBoard that enables libraries to engage their writing communities, accept self-published ebook from local authors and expose them to patrons and beyond. Starting with a simple author submission portal that is free to authors, ebook are evaluated by Library Journal staff. Once approved, submissions are available to participating libraries in statewide ebook collections on the award-winning BiblioBoard platform. Authors may also opt in for a chance to appear in highlighted collections accessible throughout the United States.
Easy for Libraries, Easy for Local Authors With years of experience in managing traditionally vetted print and electronic materials, libraries face new challenges as digitally literate, independent authors are no longer bound to former publication models. These new challenges require libraries to deal with the influx of electronic submissions from local authors while maintaining their position in the community as trusted providers of content.
“The library staff has difficulty evaluating self-published works for possible inclusion in our collection, as they often have not been reviewed by a professional source. Staff does not have time to read the submissions cover to cover,” says Catherine Royalty, Acquisitions Manager at Los Angeles Public Library. Because experienced Library Journal staff evaluates each ebook submitted to SELF-e, librarians can trust that each book is satisfactory for distribution to their patrons. SELF-e not only frees library staff from time-intensive content evaluation, but also helps librarians by simplifying the online submission process for community members who are both independent authors and library patrons. “I have assisted a handful of patrons who are not very technology-savvy and was able to walk them through the process over the phone,” says Royalty of the ebook submission process. “The submission form is very simple to use.” To accept self-published local ebooks, libraries direct patrons to a customizable, branded submission portal on their website. Authors simply upload an EPUB or PDF file of their book and enter basic metadata. Once submitted, the SELF-e program handles all logistics from author follow-up to collection building and distribution.
Built on Proven, Scalable Technology Utilizing the BiblioBoard platform, collections born out of SELF-e are available to patrons of subscribing libraries through web and native mobile apps using an unlimited, multi-user access model. Designed with end users in mind, the BiblioBoard platform from BiblioLabs proved to be the perfect vehicle for the entire SELF-e workflow. By leveraging an existing platform to manage the entire workflow from submission to delivery, libraries can avoid wrangling with the complexities and cost of developing new, unproven technology. “We discussed logistics with a software company and ultimately decided that building our own platform would be too expensive,” says Michelle Bickert, Digital Content Coordinator at Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. “We decided to go to BiblioLabs because they already had a platform as well as staff with content and marketing expertise.” The platform also contributes to library savings by aiding the review process itself. Staff at Library Journal can focus on reading and evaluating content without being distracted by file management and documentation protocols. While opting to evaluate submissions in-house, the ONEBOOKAZ program in Arizona was able to take advantage of the same benefits. “Having the ebooks stored on the platform saved time, kept the submissions well-organized and provided a safe place for the submitting authors’ work to reside during the judging process,” explains Donna Throckmorton, Library Services Consultant at the state library of Arizona.
SELF-e helps the library by giving [self-published authors] a path to publication and wider discovery within their own community and state.
– Laurie Kincer, Readers’ Advisory Specialist at Cuyahoga County Public Library
Fostering Creativity for Local Communities and Beyond Sharing sits at the very core of librarianship. Librarians thrive on sharing their collections and their commitment to service for the benefit of all their patrons—from students conducting research or aspiring writers right in their community. With numerous writing classes and workshops to their credit, Cuyahoga County Public Library embraces the concept of community engagement by helping their patrons learn about both the art and the business of writing. With SELF-e, the library empowers patrons with an eye toward developing a readership at the local level and beyond. “SELF-e helps the library by giving these patrons a path to publication and wider discovery within their own community and state,” says Laurie Kincer, Readers’ Advisory Specialist at Cuyahoga County Public Library. While authors do not directly benefit from SELF-e in a financial sense, SELF-e makes potential readers out of all patrons at participating libraries. “No one I have spoken with seems unhappy with the fact that the model is royalty-free,” adds LAPL’s Royalty. “They definitely are more interested in just getting their work out there.”
For more information or to request a trial, visit http://self-e.libraryjournal.com/
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