The Hall County Library System receives numerous requests from local authors to add their books which they have self-published or published at their own expense through one of the many independent publishing companies.

Although this type of publishing has experienced rapid growth, these books often do not meet the requirements outlined in the HCLS Collection Development Policy to be candidates for the permanent collection. They typically have not received a review in one or more the of the major review journals (such as Library Journal, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Publisher's Weekly), and may not meet other criteria the Library normally sets for inclusion in its collections.

HCLS wishes to support local authors while maintaining the standards needed in its permanent collections. Therefore, the Library has established a Local Author Collection at the Gainesville Library and will accept one donated copy of a local author’s work for consideration.

Guidelines for placement in the Local Author Collection are as follows:

• Authors must be current Hall County residents. If the author is not a Hall County resident, the book must take place in Hall County or otherwise demonstrate a strong local interest.
• Each book must be approved by the Adult or Juvenile book selection team before being accepted for placement. Library staff are not able to provide reviews or feedback on these materials.
• Books for the Local Author Collection will be accepted as donations from the author or publisher; however, at the discretion of the selection team, a book may be considered for purchase if published reviews in standard sources are available or there is strong evidence of appropriateness.
• If an author’s work is selected, HCLS bears no obligation for marketing that work. Authors are fully responsible for promoting their work.
• Items will be clearly labeled as belonging to this special collection.
• Items will rotate out of the collection and may be withdrawn after one year unless they have circulated regularly.
• Self-published family histories or other similar genealogical materials may instead be added to the Sybil Wood McCray Genealogy and Local History Collection.
• Materials that are donated become the property of the Hall County Library System and as such cannot be returned to the donor.
• Books donated to the Local Author Collection must be professionally bound.
• Text books and eBooks will not be considered for inclusion.
• Submissions must be accompanied by the HCLS Local Author Collection submission form. Send a completed Local Author Submission Request form (see next page), and a copy of your published, bound and printed work to:

Hall County Library System Collection Development Team (Local Author Submission)

127 Main St. NW

Gainesville, GA 30501

The Hall County Library System offers a small area at the Gainesville Library for local authors who want their work sampled by library users. This collection is designed to give new and emerging writers, especially those whose books are not yet widely reviewed or stocked by libraries and bookstores, an opportunity to be read by their friends and neighbors. Please review the Local Author Policy for full guidelines before submitting a title for consideration. Submission of this form does not guarantee selection and inclusion in the local author collection.

To submit your book for consideration, please complete the following:

Book Title:_____________________________________________________________________

Author’s name: _________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________

Local contact number: ___________________________________________________________

E-mail:________________________________________________________________________

Please check one or more of the following:

______ I am a Hall County resident.

______ My book is set in Hall County.

______ My book holds particular local interest: ____________________________________

                ____________________________________________________________________

If your book has been reviewed, please list the title of the review publication, page number, & date of the review. You may also attach reviews, publicity materials, or other supplementary information if available.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Please send one copy of your book along with a completed copy of this form to:

Hall County Library Collection Development Team (Local Author Submission)

127 Main St. NW

Gainesville, GA 30501