Birmingham Public Library Introduces Local Authors Collection

 

The Central Library has a Local Authors Collection on the first floor.

The Birmingham Public Library proudly introduces our long-awaited Local Authors Collection. This collection will be located on the first floor of the main library downtown (Central, 2100 Park Place).

 The Birmingham Public Library gets requests from local authors to have their book added to the library collection on a regular basis. The Local Authors Collection is dedicated to local, often self-published titles, many of which have not been through the typical editing and review process (typically a no-no for libraries). 

In an effort to encourage and support local authors toward what for many is a lifelong dream, the Birmingham Library provides the Local Authors Collection as an avenue toward full library inclusion. Patrons are encouraged to review these titles. Any reviews can be submitted to any library personnel. Optionally, the review can be sent via email to localauthorsbpl@cobpl.org. 

While a primary focus of the collection is works of the lesser-known authors of the Birmingham community, this collection will also include those more-established local authors. These authors may also have their book in other parts of the Birmingham Public Library system. 

We are also including, at least initially, some authors with ties to the state of Alabama. This change would allow for broader representation. 

 Some other things to consider about BPL's Local Authors Collection:

* While the Central location is the focus of this document, branch locations are encouraged to have their own local author sections/collection. 

*  Only items 2019-current are included in the LA collection. Older titles may exist in other areas throughout the Birmingham Public Library system. Search for books on the BPL and JCLC catalog.

* The Local Authors Collection includes adult, teen, and juvenile print materials. No audio/visual materials are included at this time. 

* The annual Birmingham Public Library Local Authors Expo held each fall will be a significant driver for local author contributions. 

* Participants are encouraged to donate a copy of their title(s) to the Local Authors Collection of the Central library (or a branch library, as desired). 

* Titles can move to the normal library collection based on reviews, circulation, etc. 

So, what is the process for getting your book into the Birmingham Public Library ‘s Local Author Collection? 

* After contacting the Collection Management department, a local author’s book is acquired (typically donated) by the Birmingham Public Library. 

* The book is then reviewed and cataloged and badged as part of a local authors collection and forwarded to the appropriate location – Central or a branch. 

After some period of time (perhaps in conjunction with the annual BPL Local Authors Expo) a determination regarding inclusion in the BPL general collection is made based generally on patron reviews, popularity/circulation, mainstream media references, etc. 

Also, author contact information will be forwarded to the BPL Local Authors Expo Committee. The author will be contacted about their interest in our yearly Local Authors Expo event, which was held in November last year. Stay tuned for details this fall on the BPL website when the date for the 2022 BPL Local Authors Expo is set. 

For more information, contact Caleb West, director of BPL's Collection Management Department at caleb.west@cobpl.org.

By Caleb West|Director of BPL Collection Management Department 

These are some of the books by local authors available for checkout at the Central Library. 

The 2021 Local Authors Expo was held last November. Stay tuned for details on the 2022 event soon.