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.

The current publishing environment has experienced a drastic change in the way content is created, delivered, and acquired, particularly for libraries. With the increasing importance of digital publishing, more than half the titles published in the United States are self-published. With this growth in self-published materials, librarians, publishers, and vendors have been forced to rethink channels of production, distribution, and access as it applies to the new content. Self-Publishing and Collection Development: Opportunities and Challenges for Libraries will address multiple aspects of how public and academic libraries can deal with the increase in self-published titles. While both academic and public libraries have started to grapple with the burgeoning issues associated with self-published books, many difficulties remain. To develop effective policies and procedures, stakeholders must now tackle questions associated with the transformation of the publishing landscape. Obstacles to self-publishing include the lack of reviews, the absence of cataloging and bibliographic control, proprietary formats for e-books, and the difficulty for vendors in providing these works.General chapters will include information on reviewing sources, cataloging and bibliographic control, and vendor issues. Information addressing public libraries issues will highlight initiatives to make self-published materials available at the Los Gatos Public Library in California and the Kent District Library in Michigan. Chapters on academic library issues will address why self-published materials are important for academic institutions, especially those with comprehensive collecting interests. Several self-published authors focus on how they attempt to make their works more suitable for public libraries. Finally, the book concludes with a bibliographic essay on self-publishingAs the term "traditional publishing" begins to fade and new content producers join the conversation, librarians, publishers, and vendors will play an important role in facilitating and managing the shift.

It has never been easier to publish a book, but publishing a book is never easy. Creative Self-Publishing is a comprehensive guide to every step in the publishing process, written by the director of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and drawing on the experience of thousands of ALLi members. The book's focus is how to apply your creativity to publishing, as much as to writing. It takes an individual approach, beginning with you—your passion, mission and sense of purpose as a publisher and creative business owner—then guiding you through the seven processes of publishing, in ways that empower you to reach more readers and sell more books. In an engaging, easy-to-read format, you’ll learn: - Which creative practices and business models the most successful authors are using today - Where you fit in the history of authorship and self-publishing - How to overcome publishing resistance and block by fostering creative flow. - Where to find your ideal readers and how to ensure they find your books - A proven planning method that marries your passion, mission and purpose as writer and publisher Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, or poetry books, the principles and practices outlined in this book will work for you. You’ll make better books, find more readers, turn them into keener fans, and grow your income, impact and influence as a self-directed and empowered indie author–the creative way.

In this book, author Stephanie Katz, founding editor of the award-winning literary journal 805 Lit + Art, shares practical tools and advice for starting successful creative publishing projects. Publishing benefits libraries by providing high-quality content to patrons, showcasing local writers and faculty, and creating buzz for the library. These endeavors can be launched at any type and size of library, often for little to no cost. Libraries Publish teaches libraries how to publish literary magazines, book review blogs, local anthologies, picture books, library professional journals, and even novels. You'll learn how to run a writing contest or writer-in-residence program, form community partnerships with other literary organizations, find funding, navigate legal considerations, market your publication, and more. Each chapter contains detailed information on how to start your project, including comprehensive checklists, recommendations for free software, and legal considerations. Social media strategies as well as tips for facilitating student or teen-run projects are also covered. If your library wants to start a publishing project, this book will be your go-to resource!

Innovation in Public Libraries: Learning from International Library Practice examines the recent activities of successful and innovative libraries around the world, presenting their initiatives in areas including library design, events and programs, and creating customer experiences. This timely guide provides an overview of these libraries' successful experiences and identifies emerging global trends and themes. The author offers library practitioners guidance on how to pursue these trends in their own library environment, identifying achievable goals when planning building and design improvements, and developing customer interactions in order to emulate the experiences of international libraries. - Presents a range of successful and innovative practices in one book, covering library innovation in building design, programs and events, and in customer experience and approach - Provides an international perspective on library activities, with libraries in different countries discussed - Analyzes the experiences of various libraries to identify common trends and themes - Provides practical advice for librarians who wish to emulate the activities of the libraries discussed, with recommended goals to action - Examines both the big picture of emerging global trends and themes, as well as highlighting the daily experiences of individual libraries

From Library Journal: Thirty-seven public, school, and academic librarians here share "how we did outreach good" and produce a joyful collection. These examples will inspire and fire up staff involved with event planning, programming, and extending their library's presence and effectiveness in the community. Beyond a bounty of ideas are practical suggestions and examples that can be used for the library to approach organizations, groups, and governmental entities for grant applications. While the creative is foremost, the financial and efficient are also addressed with the essential details of who did what, how it was funded, and the nature of follow-up. This reviewer's favorite example-the Edible Book Contest-comes complete with advice on cleanup and disasters. VERDICT Success always requires resources, dedication, and much planning, but even the smallest library with a handful of staff could benefit from this book. Wherever there is a need to increase awareness of library services in the community or reach out to groups that are under utilizing your library, this handbook can be useful.-J. Sara Paulk, Fitzgerald.

Self-publishing is a growing area and writers need independent and reliable advice they can trust. This guide is full of practical, nuts-and-bolts information on each aspect of the DIY-publishing process, from editing and page layout, cover design and book production, publicity and selling. Each chapter is written by publishing professionals expert in supporting authors and is full of insights from successful self-published authors themselves. This guide is essential reading for any indie author who wants to go it totally alone, who wants to work with other independent professionals or who might choose to pay for self-publishing provider services. It gives the pros and cons and potential financial outlay for the various options available so writers can make informed decisions about the best approach for their own book.

This collection of thought-provoking essays by visionary and innovative library practitioners covers theory, research, and best practices in collection development, examining how it has evolved, identifying how some librarians are creatively responding to these changes, and predicting what is coming next. Rethinking Collection Development and Management adds a new and important perspective to the literature on collection development and management for 21st-century library professionals. The work reveals how dramatically collection development is changing, and has already changed; supplies practical suggestions on how librarians might respond to these advancements; and reflects on what librarians can expect in the future. This volume is a perfect complement for textbooks that take a more traditional approach, offering a broad, forward-thinking perspective that will benefit students in graduate LIS programs and guide practitioners, collection development officers, and directors in public and academic libraries. A chapter on collection development and management in the MLIS curriculum makes this volume especially pertinent to library and information science educators.

Libraries and writers have always had a close working relationship. Rapid advances in technology have not changed the nontechnical basis of that cooperation: author talks, book signings and readings are as popular as ever, as are workshops and festivals. This collection of 29 new essays from nearly 50 contributors from across the United States presents a variety of projects, programs and services to help librarians establish relationships with the literary world, promote literature to the public and foster creativity in their communities.

Get the most thorough and comprehensive guide to Google. Expand your world with the dozens of Google tools, applications, and services you'll find in this comprehensive book. Going well beyond the basics of search, this in-depth resource shows you how to access and apply every one of Google's features -- things like Gmail, Google Maps, and SketchUp -- while also explaining how to program Google, become a Froogle merchant, and much more. With thorough coverage, step-by-step instructions, and hundreds of tips and workarounds, you'll find what you need to succeed with Google. Review the basics of keywords, queries, and PageRank technology. Delve into search features such as the I'm Feeling Lucky button. Find your way with Google Maps and mobile GMaps. Check financial news, get quotes, and manage your portfolio. Import, view, and fix photos with Picasa. Google-ize your computer with Google gadgets and plug-ins. Use Google Analytics to evaluate Web site traffic. Explore Google's future with a sneak peak at R&D.