For 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.
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.
Share Your E-Book with Readers in Florida
The Indie Author Project (IAP) is a publishing community that includes public libraries, authors, curators, and readers working together to connect library patrons with great indie-published books through the BiblioBoard Library platform. Authors are able to submit e-books directly to then be vetted by industry editorial partners like Library Journal and regional library editorial boards. Being selected by these curators can lead to expanded discovery, distribution, and networking opportunities.
To get started...
- Go to the IAP website to read the "terms of agreement"
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Make sure your book is...
- An ePUB (strongly recommended) or PDF file
- In the English language
- An original work to which you own the rights
- Click "Submit your work" and follow the prompts
- You can also submit directly from Pressbooks Public
Note: Once submitted, your book will be passed through the review process, and you will be notified within 4–6 weeks if your book has been chosen as an Indie Author Project Selection. All submissions, regardless of audience or genre, may be included in your local region's collection, if you so choose! If your e-book is chosen for IAP Select, you can also opt into a usage-based royalty program, where your e-book is sold in curated collections via library e-book platforms such as OverDrive, The Palace Project, cloudLibrary, and Boundless by Baker and Taylor.
Read more on our Self-Publishing E-books at the Library page.
Lit Chat Author Series
Our Lit Chat programs give readers the chance to meet the writers that everyone's talking about - from New York Times bestsellers to debut and up-and-coming local authors. A Lit Chat Interview or Teen Lit Chat Interview (for readers, ages 12-18) is a 40-minute conversation between an author and interviewer. 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.
If you would like to be considered for this series:
- Carefully review the Jacksonville Public Library Library Programs for the Public Policy 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.
Note: Jacksonville Public Library accepts program suggestions (of all types) from the community and from outside presenters. Selection decisions will be based in part or entirely on the following:
- Safety and security of customers and staff
- Community needs and interests
- Ability to supplement and extend information found in Library’s collections, resources, and exhibits
- Ability to promote the Library and encourage use of its resources
- Presentation quality
- Presenter background and qualifications in content area
- Historical, cultural, or educational significance
- Age appropriateness of content
- Availability of program space
- Availability of necessary budget resources
If you have questions about the form, please email us at jplprograms@coj.net.
