Self-Published Authors/Books Policy

The Library receives numerous requests from local authors to add their books which they have self- published, or published at their own expense through companies such as PublishAmerica.

Although this type of publishing is experiencing rapid growth, these books often do not meet the requirements outlined in the Materials Selection Policy to be candidates for the permanent collection. They typically have not received reviews in standard published sources, and may not meet the criteria that the Library normally sets for inclusion in its collections.

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The Library wishes to support local authors while maintaining the standards needed in its permanent collections. Therefore, the Library has established a Local Authors shelf in an available public area.

Guidelines for placement on the shelf are as follows:

• Authors must be Pinellas County residents, or the book must take place in Pinellas County, or otherwise demonstrate a strong local interest, e.g. a botanical study of Brooker Creek Preserve

• Each book must be approved by the Collection Development librarian before being accepted for placement.

• Books for the Local Authors collection will be accepted as donations from the author or publisher 

• A brief listing for the book will be created in the library catalog, so that borrowers may access them by title or author.

• Books will be processed with a barcode and ELCL ownership markings. They will not be jacketed, bound, or covered.

• Items will be clearly labeled as belonging to this special collection.

• Items will rotate out of the collection and may be withdrawn after one year, unless they have circulated regularly.

• Materials that are donated become the property of East Lake Community Library and as such cannot be returned to the donor.

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CLICK HERE FOR THE SUBMISSION FORM FOR LOCAL AUTHORS DISPLAY/COLLECTION.