Book Sales Down? Why Smart Authors Are Shifting Their Focus to Library Sales in 2026
Why Authors Are Struggling to Make Money in 2026
If your book sales feel more anemic than they did just a few years ago, you're not imagining it. A new Authors Guild study found that only 25% of books read generated royalties for authors, while the highest number, 29%, came from public libraries.
The economy is tighter than it's been in a long time, and reader behavior is reflecting that. Reader book discovery is becoming more fragmented, and authors who have been following the same game plan successfully for years are suddenly finding it harder to grow their readership. As always, the authors who are thriving in 2026 are quickly capitalizing on this shift. Instead of focusing exclusively on more ads or more publicity or the usual book marketing strategies, they're building multiple pathways for readers to discover their work, and showing up where the readers are. Which, as it turns out, is at the library.
And one of the biggest opportunities has been hiding in plain sight: public libraries.
In 2026, Most Readers Aren’t Buying New Books
Only 36 percent of people who read a book or listened to an audiobook in the last month bought a new book or audiobook that generated royalties for the author during that time. If 2/3 of readers aren't buying new books, it's a whole lot harder for authors to earn a living, buy groceries, or pay the mortgage.
Here's Where Readers Get Their Books in 2026
- Bought New (direct sales, retailer sales): 19%
- Subscription (Kindle Unlimited, etc) 6%
- Bought Used (Used book store, etc) 10%
- Borrowed Free (Friend, Little Free Library) 16%
- Library 29%
- Personal Collection (The bedside TBR list, all the freebies hoarded on your Kindle) 16%
At the same time, discovery (how people find your book in the first place) has become increasingly fragmented. A potential reader might discover a book through TikTok, YouTube, ChatGPT, Amazon, a podcast, a friend, a bookstore—or a library. (Or their favorite librarian on social media.)
The days when authors could rely on a single sales channel are largely over. (I'm looking at you, KU authors.)
The authors who are thriving in 2026 understand this shift and they're building multiple pathways for readers to discover their work.
New Reader Data Reveals a Huge Opportunity for Authors
29% of readers got their books from public libraries, making libraries the LARGEST channels through which readers discover and read books today.
At first glance, that statistic might sound discouraging.
After all, authors earn more money when readers buy books, right? If a library buys your book and 1,000 patrons read it, you've made one sale.
But if 1000 readers buy your book from a retailer, or subscription service, or direct from you, you've made 1,000 sales.
Yes—but that's only part of the story.
Don't think of this shift as libraries replacing book sales.
Think of it this way: libraries have become one of the most powerful book discovery engines in publishing.
Readers Are Voting With Their Library Cards
Nearly 60% of active readers are public library members. Library users also read significantly more books than non-library users and are substantially more likely to consume ebooks and audiobooks.
In other words, libraries aren't full of casual readers.
They're full of your best potential readers.
They're the people who finish books, recommend books, review books, join book clubs, follow authors online, and ultimately become superfans.
Many authors still think of libraries primarily as a place where readers can access books for free.
That's the wrong way to look at it. As an author, your local librarian is your very best resource. Why?
- Libraries. Buy. Books. A lot of them.
- Libraries (and librarians) are great for hand-selling titles and introducing readers to new books
- Librarians personally review A LOT of new books, on the library's social media, on the librarians personal social media and Goodreads, and on Edelweiss and NetGalley.
- Libraries can be a great source for sales, especially for series authors. If a library carries the first book in your series, they typically auto-order the remaining books in the series for their patrons.
- Librarians help you get your books discovered and build your readership.
- Libraries don't just buy books—they host speakers, workshops, book clubs, and community events. Authors who position themselves as educational resources often create opportunities that lead to book sales, media exposure, speaking engagements, and long-term reader relationships.
- Libraries often host reading and author events, which is great when you have a book launch. These events are often covered by the media due to their relationships with local press.
- Libraries aren't a niche channel. In 2025 alone, library readers borrowed more than 820 million digital books, audiobooks, and magazines through the OverDrive network, demonstrating the enormous scale of library-based reading today. This is a 10.9% year-over-year increase.
- In the U.S., libraries spend more than 1.5 billion annually on book collections. One recent survey reported that academic libraries spent an average of $208,147 on print books and $35,107 on ebooks per year.
Libraries buy books. The key is in making sure they buy yours.
Free Resource: Library Marketing Checklist
Want to get your book into more libraries?
I've created a free Library Marketing Checklist that walks you through the key steps indie authors can take to increase their visibility with librarians and library readers.
Inside, you'll learn how to:
- Make your book available through major library channels
- Increase your chances of being discovered by librarians
- Encourage patron requests
- Build relationships with local libraries
- Create more opportunities for reader discovery
Download the Free Library Marketing Checklist
The Libby Effect Is Real
The report found that Libby and OverDrive dominate digital library borrowing, accounting for roughly 70% of ebook borrows and 74% of audiobook borrows.
That's important because convenience drives behavior.
When a reader can instantly sample your work through a library app, the barrier to entry disappears.
For many authors—especially newer authors—that first library checkout may be the beginning of a much longer customer relationship.
A reader who discovers your book through the library today may become a paying customer tomorrow.
Libraries Don't Just Lend Books—They Buy Them
One of the biggest mistakes authors make is evaluating every marketing activity solely on immediate royalties.
Discovery matters.
Visibility matters.
Audience growth matters.
If a library introduces your work to hundreds or thousands of readers who would never have risked spending money on an unfamiliar author, you've created an opportunity for future sales, reviews, newsletter subscribers, speaking engagements, event attendees, and word-of-mouth referrals.
Libraries also purchase books, ebook licenses, and audiobook licenses.
While the economics differ from direct retail sales, library sales are real revenue streams—and they can become an important part of an author's overall business.
How Indie Authors Can Get Their Books Into Libraries
One reason some indie authors overlook libraries is that they assume library distribution is complicated or reserved for traditionally published books.
It isn't.
Today, most libraries acquire books through the same wholesalers and digital distribution platforms they already use to purchase ebooks, audiobooks, and print titles.
Make Your Book Available Through Library Distribution Channels
Libraries acquire books through a variety of distributors and digital lending platforms. The more places your book is available, the easier it is for librarians and patrons to discover and request it.
Some of the most important library channels include:
- OverDrive/Libby – The largest library ebook and audiobook platform in North America.
- Hoopla – A rapidly growing digital service used by thousands of public libraries.
- Bibliotheca/ cloudLibrary – A popular ebook and audiobook platform used by many library systems.
- Ingram – A major print wholesaler used by libraries and bookstores worldwide.
🚩 For indie authors, one of the simplest ways to reach these channels is through distributors such as Draft2Digital, which can make ebooks and audiobooks available to Hoopla, OverDrive, Bibliotheca, and other library systems. IngramSpark can help make print editions available through Ingram's wholesale network, and provides an option for library pricing in addition to retail pricing.
Why Hoopla Deserves Special Attention
Unlike some library platforms that require each library to purchase a title before readers can borrow it, Hoopla's model often allows participating libraries to offer access to a large catalog of content on demand.
That means your book can become discoverable across thousands of library systems without needing to be individually selected by every library.
For indie authors—especially those writing genre fiction, nonfiction, self-help, and audiobooks—Hoopla can be a valuable source of reader discovery.
Encourage Reader Requests
One of the easiest ways to get into a library is through patron demand.
Many libraries allow readers to request books they would like the library to purchase. If you have an email list, social media following, or local fan base, don't be afraid to let readers know they can request your book through their local library.
Librarians pay attention to those requests.
Build Relationships With Local Libraries
Local authors often have an advantage.
Many libraries host author talks, workshops, book clubs, writing events, and community programs. Introducing yourself to your local library can open doors to speaking opportunities and help librarians become familiar with your work. The best way to get to know your local librarian? Hang out at your local library.
Don't Forget Audiobooks
Another gem from the study found that library users are especially active audiobook listeners.
If your budget allows, an audiobook edition can dramatically increase your opportunities for library discovery and circulation.
For 2026, Consider Library-Focused Marketing
Just as authors run promotions aimed at retail readers, there are also marketing opportunities specifically designed to reach librarians and library acquisition teams.
Library reviews, librarian newsletters, targeted advertising, speaking engagements, and direct outreach can all help put your book in front of the people making purchasing decisions.
One of the easiest ways to do that is with our Library Email Blast, which helps authors increase visibility among librarians, booksellers, and other book discovery professionals. If you're looking for a fast, affordable way to get your book in front of the people who recommend and purchase books for a living, it's worth a look.
The Opportunity Most Authors Are Missing
Most authors spend enormous amounts of time chasing book sales.
Meanwhile, thousands of librarians are actively looking for books to recommend to engaged readers.
That's a channel worth paying attention to.
If the new Authors Guild data tells us anything, it's that readers are increasingly discovering books through libraries. Authors who understand that shift—and position themselves accordingly—will have an advantage over authors who continue to focus exclusively on retail sales.
The goal isn't to choose between libraries and bookstores.
The goal is to be everywhere your readers are looking.
And increasingly, that includes the library.
💬 Final Thoughts from Your Book Coach
Want More Readers to Discover Your Book?
Start by downloading the free Library Marketing Checklist, a practical guide to increasing your visibility with librarians and library readers.
Download the Library Marketing Checklist
Read more: How to Get Your Book into Libraries
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