What is Library Distribution?
Library distribution makes your ebook available to public and school libraries through digital lending platforms like OverDrive (Libby app).
How Library Lending Works
- Libraries purchase or subscribe to access your book
- Patrons borrow your ebook through library apps (Libby, Hoopla)
- After lending period (14-21 days), book automatically "returns"
- You earn royalties based on purchases or checkouts
Library Pricing in Shelf Indulgence
Set your Library Price in the Pricing tab
Shelf Indulgence requires a separate Library Price tier:
Library Pricing Formula
Recommended: Library Price = 2x Base Price
Example: If your retail price is $3.99, set library price to $7.98
Why Libraries Pay More
- Multiple readers: One purchase serves hundreds of patrons
- Perpetual access: Libraries get indefinite lending rights
- No resale loss: Unlike physical books, digital copies don't wear out
- Industry standard: All major publishers charge libraries more
OverDrive Distribution
OverDrive is the world's largest digital library platform:
OverDrive Stats
- 240,000+ libraries in 100+ countries
- Libby app: #1 library ebook/audiobook app
- Billions of checkouts annually
- Public libraries, schools, universities
How OverDrive Pays
Two models depending on library:
Cost-Per-Checkout
Library pays each time a patron borrows your book. Lower upfront cost for library, steady stream of small royalties for you.
One-Time Purchase
Library pays once for perpetual access. Higher upfront payment, no ongoing royalties per checkout.
Benefits of Library Distribution
1. Additional Revenue Stream
- Earn from readers who don't buy ebooks
- Libraries have dedicated budgets for content
- Recurring income from popular titles
2. Discoverability
- Reach readers who browse library apps
- Library promotion to patrons
- Try-before-buy for future purchases
3. Credibility
- Libraries curate quality content
- Being in libraries signals legitimacy
- Good for author platform building
4. Series Sales
- Readers borrow Book 1 from library
- If they like it, they buy Books 2-4
- Library serves as marketing tool
Concerns About Library Distribution
"Will libraries cannibalize retail sales?"
Evidence suggests no:
- Library users and retail buyers are different audiences
- Many library borrowers become retail customers
- Wait lists for popular books drive purchases
- Authors report libraries boost overall sales
"My royalties will be tiny!"
Not necessarily:
- Libraries pay 2x retail price (your royalty is higher per transaction)
- Cost-per-checkout adds up over time
- Some authors earn more from libraries than from retail
trending_upReal Author Results
"Library sales through OverDrive account for 15-20% of my total ebook income. The recurring checkouts create a steady baseline revenue every month." - Shelf Indulgence Author
Enabling Library Distribution
During Book Creation
- In the Distribution tab, select OverDrive
- In the Pricing tab, set your Library Price (recommended 2x base)
- Save and publish
For Existing Books
- Go to My Shelf and click your book
- Navigate to Distribution tab, enable OverDrive
- Go to Pricing tab, add Library Price
- Save changes (takes 7-14 days to go live in libraries)
Tracking Library Performance
Monitor library sales in your Dashboard:
- Revenue breakdown by distributor shows OverDrive separately
- Library checkouts appear as individual transactions
- Track which titles perform best in libraries
Best Practices
1. Enable Library Distribution
Unless you have a specific reason not to, enable OverDrive for all titles. The upside outweighs any downside.
2. Price Appropriately
Follow the 2x base price guideline. Don't underprice libraries - they expect to pay more and have budgets for it.
3. Series Strategy
Make Book 1 available in libraries to hook readers, who then buy Books 2+ retail.
4. Monitor & Adjust
Track library performance over 3-6 months. If generating good revenue, maintain or expand. If minimal activity, consider focusing elsewhere.