Are libraries tacky?

[Anonymous]

I commented on an author's social media that I couldn't wait for my library hold of her new book to come through. I was jumped on by people who said it was tacky not to buy.

[Anonymous]

Well, I wouldn't be bragging to an author that you didn't deem her book worth of $15, but I go to the library all the time and appreciate it greatly.

[Anonymous]

people are idiots.

[Anonymous]

All of those people who jumped on you are downright dump idiots.

[Anonymous]

Authors usually love libraries the most.

It's tacky to not like libraries.

[Anonymous]

Agreed, I wouldn't go on an author's social media and say you are waiting for your library hold. Authors are far more dependent on actual retail sales rather than how many books libraries buy.

I would just say you're looking forward to reading. Then wait for it to come in at the library.

[Anonymous]

Ha!! Just shows that those folks know nothing about publishing! Authors love library adoptions! Authors outside the NYT Bestseller lists make most of their money from library adoptions. And checking out the library's copy of a book (whether ebook or physical book) might inspire the library to buy more copies of that book or future books.

But buying the book is also good. Making fun of people for how they get books is not good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agreed, I wouldn't go on an author's social media and say you are waiting for your library hold. Authors are far more dependent on actual retail sales rather than how many books libraries buy.

I would just say you're looking forward to reading. Then wait for it to come in at the library.

I disagree. Libraries are wonderful resources and there’s nothing wrong with waiting for the book for the library and nothing wrong with saying so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ha!! Just shows that those folks know nothing about publishing! Authors love library adoptions! Authors outside the NYT Bestseller lists make most of their money from library adoptions. And checking out the library's copy of a book (whether ebook or physical book) might inspire the library to buy more copies of that book or future books.

But buying the book is also good. Making fun of people for how they get books is not good.

Yeah, no. Maybe z-list authors. And you still don't proclaim this on their social media.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ha!! Just shows that those folks know nothing about publishing! Authors love library adoptions! Authors outside the NYT Bestseller lists make most of their money from library adoptions. And checking out the library's copy of a book (whether ebook or physical book) might inspire the library to buy more copies of that book or future books.

But buying the book is also good. Making fun of people for how they get books is not good.

Lots of people here in this post don't know how libraries work!
Thanks for trying to educate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha!! Just shows that those folks know nothing about publishing! Authors love library adoptions! Authors outside the NYT Bestseller lists make most of their money from library adoptions. And checking out the library's copy of a book (whether ebook or physical book) might inspire the library to buy more copies of that book or future books.

But buying the book is also good. Making fun of people for how they get books is not good.

Yeah, no. Maybe z-list authors. And you still don't proclaim this on their social media.

You can absolutely post it on their social media! Authors shouldn't write if they don't want to hear someone borrowed their book from the library.

[Anonymous]

Libraries are not tacky. But authors live off book sales, so it's a little rude to make a point of saying you're not going to buy the book, particularly on the author's social media.

[Anonymous]

No, libraries are magical. One of the best things about modern society.

I know a number of authors who have told me that while of course book sales are paramount (especially presales, if you want to support an author, pre-order their book as it can really drive drive interest and get their book in more stores) they also appreciate library check outs, and have also noted that there is still a benefit to them, as libraries have to pay for books and the cost of a library book is much higher than a normal sale. Also publishers will pay attention to demand in libraries and that can impact interest in publishing future books.

Basically, it's all good. Writers want to be read. If I had to purchase every book I read, I'd be broke. I buy maybe one book a month for myself, plus gifts for others, and then get everything else from the library.

[Anonymous]

Also, in case there are folks who don't know, you can always request that your library purchase a particular book that they don't already have. That's a great way to drive attention to an author (even a--gasp!--z-list author like someone mentioned above).

I did this recently with a fairly new cookbook author whose book was getting a bunch of attention in social media circles, but my major regional library system (Prince George's County) didn't have the book. I requested it, they ordered it, it showed up about a month later, and then it was checked out twice in a row before I could get my hands on it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Authors make a living by selling their books for money.

You told an author you would read the fruit of their labors for free without giving them money.

That was terribly rude of you. Authors know that people use libraries all the time, or borrow from their friends, but you do not TELL THE AUTHOR THAT!

I mean, even my socially-challenged autistic teen knows not to step in it like this. This goes beyond a metal health disorder.

I hope you're a troll.

PS: libraries are not tacky.

Libraries pay for the books. They pay more, and often order more copies if holds reach a certain point. Ebooks and audio books are even more expensive, and thus most libraries will go from 10 copies to 1 or none after a certain point.

You are acting like OP was reading a pirated copy. Calm down, and stop over reacting.