How a book ends up in the library

As I am writing this article, the outdoors are a blur of white and wind. Most people do not enjoy the snow, as it ruins plans and is a hassle to remove. I would be in the most people group, but it is very hard to hate, because it is so beautiful. Snow is made up of millions of tiny little molecules that form into a snowflake. The water molecules that form ice crystals are made from two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, when the molecules come together in the sky to create ice, they arrange themselves into different shapes. No two snowflakes are the same. When you look outside today, it is not just snow, it is trillions of little hydrogen and oxygen atoms that form a white blanket on the world.

What you may be thinking is what does this have to do with the library? The process of snow, which seems very simple and boring; is really a difficult process that is considered a burden. The library may not seem like a burden to you, but taken for granted. Just like the snow. In reality the public library is a long process.

First comes the idea, a lone person in the world has an idea to write about. It could be information, a literacy adventure or an experience. They began writing this down, on a laptop or paper. They take this idea everywhere, it consumes them and forces them to keep writing. Eventually they finish it and stuff it in a drawer. A few years later they find it again and decide to give it to a literary agent, who then takes the book and pitches it to certain editors that are looking for that type of book to sell. This step can take a weekend or many months. Editors have a small budget and little time, so they really have to enjoy the book to take at least a year of their life to convince marketers that this book will sell. If the editor thinks it is worth their time, they will tell your literary agent that they would like to meet with you and pitch you their offer- the cut of money you get, when it becomes published etc. If you decide to accept the offer you bargain the contract, maybe change some of the offer the editor made.

After the contract is signed (congrats) the editor sends you a letter of changes that need to be made to sell the book. You and the editor argue over what changes need to be made and ones that do not. This step will likely take more than one round of changing. After the book is deemed done, they start the cover, the publisher will ultimately decide on what cover you get; depending on your contact.

The publisher will then put it in their catalog and their sales team will try to sell them to bookstores and online shops. You will get marked up pages from the copy-editor who will point out small missed details and punctuation mistakes. If the book is nonfiction the facts will be triple checked. The first print will be printed and isn't as polished as the final print but it will be sent to reviewers who will (hopefully) read your book. The final proofread will happen and you will approve of the changes. The last month before publication your publisher will send you a box of copies of your book! You give them out to family and friends and do book signings, interviews, magazines, tv interviews and anything else your publicist is able to land.

That was tough, but congratulations! You published your first book.

A librarian is flipping through the catalog they get each month and a book catches their eye; it is your book. Or perhaps a patron suggested it for the library’s collection. They read the caption and order it for the next month of books for the library. They process it in the catalog, organize it by putting the last name first and a barcode in the first page of the book.

That is just one book. At the library we have thousands of books. Thousands of ideas that hundreds of people have cared for and made sure it got to you. So the next time you come into the library, these aren't just books, they are ideas and a process that came so you could enjoy them. Just like snow isn't just snow it is the chemistry of hydrogen and oxygen atoms, just like a book is a chemistry of paper, ink and one big idea.