Library Launches New Collection for Local Authors

Emma S. Clark Memorial Library has issued a call for local writers to donate copies of their works for inclusion in a new collection.

The new collection, dubbed "Local Focus," welcomes adults' books and children's books written or illustrated by people who live or work in the Three Village area.

The books will be shelved in alphabetical order and will be searchable in the library catalog by both title and author. The titles will remain in the collection for three years and, at the librarians' discretion, may be added to the main circulating collection.

The project is meant to encourage not just traditionally published authors to donate their books to the library, but also self-published authors who may want to get the word out about their works. Joan S. Kahnhauser, head adult reference librarian, said that while a book undergoes a review process before it is purchased by the library, donated books have a much faster entrance into the collection.

"Benefiting both local authors and our readers, the new Local Focus will let readers easily browse both critically reviewed and not-yet-discovered titles by authors who live and work in the communities surrounding the library, as it simultaneously introduces those authors to their neighbors,” she said.