Self-Published Selection Policy

Self Published Works

Definitions:

· Self-Published: A book or other media published by its author or creator without the involvement of a traditional third-party publisher. The author may choose to handle all aspects of the publishing process or outsource specific tasks to professionals or service providers.

· Vanity Press: A publishing company that produces books at the author's expense, typically without a selective editorial process or quality control standards.

· Small Press (Independent Publisher, Indie Publisher): An independently operated publishing house that releases a limited number of titles each year. Unlike vanity presses, small presses do not require financial contributions from authors.

For self-published, vanity press and small press books, Webster Parish Libraries follow these guidelines:

1. Acceptance & Cataloging: The library accepts self-published books as gifts. These books receive minimal cataloging and are classified under the call number "SELF."

2. Acquisition Policy: The library generally does not purchase self-published or vanity press titles unless they meet one or more of the following criteria:

o They have received a published positive review from a recognized source (e.g., Publisher’s Weekly, The New York Times Bestsellers list, etc.).

o They have been specifically requested by an adult library patron.

o They hold particular relevance or interest to the local communities served by the library.

3. Identification Challenges & Cataloging Exceptions: Identifying self-published titles is becoming increasingly difficult, as major book vendors (including Ingram and Baker & Taylor) now distribute works from self-publishing companies. Some titles may receive standard cataloging if their self-published status cannot be determined, if the author is recognized as an authority in the subject area (for nonfiction works), or if the book has a professional presentation with no grammatical errors.

Board Approved January 31, 2025