DPLA brings librarians and independent publishers together at inaugural IndieLib Forum

Last week, in the run up to the Public Library Association’s conference in Columbus, Ohio, the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) partnered with Independent Publishers Caucus to host the inaugural IndieLib Forum. A first-of-its-kind gathering, IndieLib brought together independent publishers and librarians to connect and converse about issues crucial to both communities, yet all too often addressed in isolation instead of collaboration.

In the spirit of transparency and partnership, IndieLib hosted a day full of illuminating and inspiring panels and discussions on everything from backlist collection development to promoting discovery of indie titles, library ebook license models to reader’s advisory strategies for independently published titles. The event, held at the fabulous Open Air venue, was sold out and packed with over 100 attendees.

As one of the conveners of the forum, I was thrilled by so much excitement and thoughtful participation. Here are some of my key takeaways from the day:

• Librarians and independent publishers are all “book people” with far more in common than many realize.
• Many indie presses are non-profits and all of them are mission driven. The passion of the publishers for their work and for supporting a diversity of reading shown through and I believe all the librarians felt their kindred spirits.
• There continues to be a great need and appetite for more communication between libraries and independent publishers.
• Libraries can drive demand for books, but need more and better channels for publishers to recommend picks and support patron-facing communications about the most interesting indie books.
• Publishers would like more information about what’s happening in libraries including regarding prices libraries pay and circulation.
• Diversity of collections is very important to librarians and Indie publishers are stepping up to address that need. 

We also asked some of the librarians and publishers who participated to share some of their own insights: 

• “The organizers planned the day with such care and curatorial courage that it had to be great—and it was,” said Dan Simon, Publisher at Seven Stories Press, one of the founders of IPC. “The loose alliance consisting of independent book publishers, indie booksellers, many librarians, academics, indie magazines and podcasts represents a very sizable part of the book world—it’s sort of an underground movement. But as Joe Biel, Microcosm’s publisher puts it, ‘The underground is bigger than the mainstream.’ And a lot of the time it certainly feels that way. Rebecca Giblin calls us ‘book people’ and she’s right to do so. I want people to know that at the same time as the Big Tech companies are a force, we’re a counter-force.” 

• “IndieLib felt like the start of something big. Independent publishers and key figures in the library market have struggled in recent decades to make contact, to find common ground, to share details of their respective missions, and to find ways to more fruitfully work together,” shared Michael Reynolds, editor-in-chief at Europa Editions. “The first ever edition of IndieLib took a giant step to remedy that. I look forward to increasing our mutual understanding of how publishers and libraries work and how they can work together more closely through more targeted panels and conversations at future iterations of IndieLib. We only stand to benefit from closer collaboration and cooperation. Every part of the library ecosystem—including distributors, vendors, aggregators, and others—stands to benefit from frank, open discussion, shared goals, and a better understanding of how to reach them together.”

• “Indie publishers and public libraries have a shared goal, connecting our communities to important ideas and art,” said Brad Allen, Director of the Lawrence Public Library in Lawrence, Kansas. “I thought the Indie Pub conference was a great first step in independent publishers and public libraries learning about what each of our industries need to succeed and thrive. The more we know about each other and what we consider success, the better we can find mutual benefit as we serve readers. Better pricing and a choice of lending models will be key for public libraries to increase access to indie titles.”

I’m so grateful for everyone who helped put Indielib together and am excited to continue to convene our communities.