Libraries Partnering With Self-publishing: A Winning Combination

Help your library leverage opportunities in the popular do-it-yourself publishing movement by following this guide's process for creating and producing books.

In this useful guidebook, you'll learn how to transform your library into a self-publishing center with pointers, advice, and strategies for creating, producing, and printing books―both digitally and on paper. The book outlines your partnering role with patrons in the creation of published materials, offering step-by-step guidance for assisting library users who wish to put their written words in print. By using the detailed plan in this reference, you'll be able to help patrons identify an audience for their material, select the best publishing software for their needs, and utilize social media to promote and distribute their work.

Chapters follow the publishing process from planning to creative development, production, and marketing. The final chapter features books, websites, and Internet sources for designing brochures; creating a website; and designing, printing, and distributing a book. Helpful guidelines accompany excerpts from interviews with librarians experienced with this publishing model, examples of self-published books, and graphic models.

Robert J. Grover formerly served as a university administrator and professor emeritus of library and information management at Emporia State University.

Kelly Visnak, PhD, is scholarly communications librarian at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Carmaine Ternes is a high school librarian and member of the Emporia State University planning committee for the Kansas Summer Institute for School Librarians.

Miranda Ericsson is a public service specialist at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library (TSCPL) and a contributor to TSCPL's Books Blog.

Lissa Staley is a public services librarian at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.