Writers Tools

Library Outreach Kit

Libraries buy books their patrons ask for — and a good pitch to an acquisitions librarian is one of the cheapest, most durable ways to sell a book. Here are two form letters that do the work. Fill in the brackets, copy, and send.

1 · Reader request blurb

For readers to drop into a library's "Suggest a Purchase" form. Short and specific is the whole game — a request is a strong signal to the library that demand exists.

Title: [Book Title]
Author: [Author Name]
ISBN-13: [ISBN]
Format requested: [hardcover / paperback / ebook / audiobook]
Publisher: [Publisher], [Year]

Note to the library:
I'd love for [Library Name] to add [Book Title] by [Author Name] to the collection. [One line on why it's a fit — e.g., "a warm, funny debut for readers who loved (comp title)."] It's available through standard library distributors, and I'd be first in line to borrow it. Thank you for considering it!

[Your Name]
[Library card number, if the form asks for one]

2 · Librarian pitch letter

For an author or publisher to email an acquisitions librarian directly. Lead with the hook, then hand them the catalog details they need to actually order it.

Subject: Suggested acquisition — [Book Title] by [Author Name]

Dear [Librarian Name / Acquisitions Team],

I'm [Your Name], [author of / publisher at] [Book Title / your press], and I'd like to suggest [Book Title] by [Author Name] for [Library Name]'s collection.

[One or two sentences: what the book is and who it's for. Lead with the hook — e.g., "It's a [genre] about [premise in a line], for readers who loved (comp title) and (comp title)."]

The details for your acquisitions system:
- Title: [Book Title]
- Author: [Author Name]
- ISBN-13: [ISBN]
- Formats: [hardcover / paperback / ebook / audio]
- Publisher: [Publisher]
- Publication date: [Date]
- List price: [Price]
- Distribution: available via [Ingram / Baker & Taylor / OverDrive for ebooks]

[Optional local hook: "The author lives in [town]," "the book is set in [region]," or any awards, starred reviews, or press coverage.]

I'd be glad to send a review copy, and [Author Name] would be delighted to do a reading, panel, or branch/school visit if that's ever of interest. Thank you for the work you do getting books into readers' hands.

Warmly,
[Your Name]
[Role] · [Email] · [Website]

Before you send — five things that get a yes

Make sure it's actually buyable. Libraries order through distributors like Ingram and Baker & Taylor, and one of the most common reasons a request gets declined is that the book isn't stocked by an approved vendor. If you're on Amazon KDP, switch on Expanded Distribution (or use IngramSpark) so libraries can order through their usual channels.
Lead with the local angle. A hometown author or a local setting turns a maybe into an easy yes. Say it in the first line.
Give them the catalog fields. ISBN, format, publisher, price, and distributor let a librarian act without chasing you for details.
Offer a review copy and an event. A free copy is low-risk, and readings or branch visits give the library free programming — both make you easy to say yes to.
Recency and reviews help. Libraries weigh publication date, price, fit for the collection, and availability — so mention starred trade reviews or press if you have them.

Sources on how library acquisition works: American Libraries Magazine and a plain-English walkthrough of purchase requests.