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.
