Attention: Local Authors
Please visit the Local Author Collection page for information on how to donate your book(s) to the Jacksonville Public Library’s Local Author Collection. If you are an aspiring author looking for help with self-publishing, click here to learn more about Pressbooks Public and Indie Author Project.
For Small Presses & Non-Local Authors
If you are not a local author, the best way to bring your book, CD, or DVD to our attention is through reviews in recognized publications. A positive review in one or more of the library review journals will give your item an excellent chance of being considered by Jacksonville Public Library (and other public libraries as well). Journals include, for example, Library Journal, School Library Journal (for children's materials), Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Publisher's Weekly.
You may send a digital flier to acquire@coj.net.
Note: If you send a sample copy of your book, CD or DVD for consideration, it will be deemed a donation. It will be considered for addition to the collection based on our selection criteria and may or may not be added. If the item is not added to the collection it will be given to the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library for sale in an upcoming book sale.
Please see our Library policies regarding donations for further information.
Primary Selection Criteria
As a public library, we select materials whose content is created for a general audience rather than for the specialist or practitioner. Of the many books and other materials published each year, Jacksonville Public Library is only able to add a small percentage due to physical space, technology requirements for digital materials, and budgetary constraints.
The primary criteria for selection are:
- Public demand and interest
- Critical reviews
- Presentation and readability
- Author’s or artist’s reputation and significance
- Reputation and standing of the publisher
- Availability of the information or material elsewhere
- Local or national significance of the author, artist or topic
- Quality of the physical format
Selection criteria are listed in the Library policies regarding the collection and are carefully applied to ensure that the collection is as pertinent and responsive as possible.
Note: Jacksonville Public Library does not collect textbooks, books that are designed to be filled out by the reader or to have pages torn out, or books with removable parts other than compact discs or DVDs. Books need to be sturdily bound, preferably sewn or glued; spiral or comb bindings do not stand up well to heavy library use.
Become a Featured Author or Lead a Writing Workshop
Lit Chat programs give readers the chance to meet the writers that everyone's talking about - from New York Times bestsellers to up-and-coming local authors. Writer's Lab workshops give aspiring local authors the chance to learn from published authors, editors, and other publishing professionals.
A Lit Chat Interview and its variant, the Teen Lit Chat Interview format (for readers, ages 12-18), are 40-minute conversations between an author and interviewer in front of a live audience. Note: These are often recorded. Check out past interviews on our YouTube playlist or "Completely Booked" podcast. For local and debut authors, a Lit Chat Author Talk may be the best fit. These are shorter, 15-minute presentations. We also offer a Junior Lit Chat Author Talk (for readers, ages 5-12).
Note: All Lit Chat programs include 15-20 minutes of audience Q&A, followed by a book signing. We partner with a network of independent booksellers across the City of Jacksonville to ensure copies of your book(s) are available for sale on-site, during the program or event.
To Be Considered for this Series
- Carefully review our policy regarding Library Programs for the Public to ensure your program is a good fit for the Library.
- Complete the Suggest a Program Form
A staff member will follow up with you within one week of receiving your suggestion. If you have questions about the form, please email us at jplprograms@coj.net.
