10 Ways Book Bloggers Can Benefit from Using the Public Library

Book bloggers tend to love the public library! But the library can benefit bloggers through more than the lending of books. Below are some ways book bloggers in particular can use library services to step up their blogging game!

Learn how to market more effectively through social media.

Did you know that many libraries offer online courses through databases such as Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, or Universal Class? Many courses are designed for career development, and they may include selections on how to market through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and, yes, even TikTok. You can take some strategies and modify them for your specific audience.

And, of course, you can also look for books on how to leverage social media (or even how to use a blogging platform like WordPress). Just make sure the copyright date is fairly current, since the internet changes so quickly!

Check out “Things I Learned After a Brief Foray into BookTok.“

Check out books for Bookstagram.

Not everyone has the space, money, or even desire for a wall full of rainbow books. However, if you still want to get in on the latest Bookstagram trends, try checking out some titles to feature! Just be sure not to hang on to them too long if you don’t anticipate actually reading them all. Exposure on social media is good for books, but so is being available on the library shelves for interested readers!

Also check out “Do You Use Library Books for Bookstagram?” and “How to Rock Bookstagram on a Budget.”

Find discussion post inspiration.

There are many ways to be inspired by the library for your blog! You could write some posts about your favorite library memories, programs you would love to see, or books you discovered while browsing. You could do a travel series, where you visit various libraries, view their collection, and rave about their architecture or services. You could even use the library garden as a backdrop for your Bookstagram photos!

Check out our list of “52 Discussion Post Prompts for Your Book Blog!”

Utilize the library of things to photograph, film, and more!

Many libraries now offer items for check out that are not books, movies, music, or video games. You could check out an art kit to make some background items for Bookstagram. Or maybe borrow a professoinal-grade camera to take photos for your blog, or a video camera to film a clip for BookTube. You might even be able to check out a tablet or WiFi hotspot if you need more internet access for more blogging time.

Find your next great read through a reader’s advisory service.

Not sure what to read next, or wondering about read-alikes for your favorite books? You can ask a librarian for recommendations, of course, but you can also see if your library offers an online service like the NoveList database, which recommends books based on your favorite authors and titles, as well as other criteria you select. You could even write a review post on your database experience. Did the recommendations work for you?

Learn more about copyright law.

Blogging means having to follow copyright law, whether that means writing original content, using excerpts from books in moderation, or only using images available in the public domain or licensed for free, unrestricted use. Libraries are a great place to learn more to make sure you are doing everything you can to follow the law, or just to get a refresher lesson to make sure you have not missed anything you weren’t aware of. Some libraries have information about copyright law right on their websites. Other libraries can help you find the information you need if you go to the reference desk.

Be among the first to grab that new release!

You don’t necessarily need to pre-order a book to have a copy in your hand right when it is released. Library users can put a hold on a title as soon as it is in the catalog, even if it has some sort of label like, “On order,” or “In transit,” or “Being processed.” Check the library catalog frequently for any new releases you are interested in, and you might be the lucky person to be first in the holds queue! If you are even luckier, the book will be on the shelf on release day. It all depends on when the book is delivered and processed, of course, but it’s worth a try!

Unhaul your ARCs.

Many bloggers do not know what to do with all the ARCs they receive once they have read and reviewed them, since publishers ask that ARCs not be sold. Bloggers can consider donating any unwanted ARCs to the library, which can use them for prizes or reading incentives.

Save money.

This is probably obvious, but using the public library saves people money! Bloggers tend to read a lot, and many won’t be able to afford to buy every new release in hardcover. Borrowing books, ebooks, and audiobooks from the library allows people to try out new authors and titles without making a financial investment they might later regret.

Meet authors.

You don’t have to attend an expensive book conference in order to meet famous authors! Authors visit libraries all the time. Keep an eye on the calendars for your local libraries. You might be surprised at some of the big names they are able to host! Then consider writing up a post about the experience.

What are some other ways book bloggers in particular can benefit from the public library?

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