Free PLA webinar highlights self-publishing at the public library

CHICAGO – The advent of online self-publishing platforms presents libraries with a new resource to connect authors and readers in their communities. Learn more about the potential of this during PLA’s free webinar, “Publishing at the Public Library: Become a Community Publishing Portal,” at 1-2 p.m. Central time on June 18.

The webinar will feature Henry Bankhead, interim town librarian, Los Gatos (Calif.) Library, and Mark Coker, the founder of Smashwords, an e-book publishing and distribution platform. Last year the library began a partnership with Smashwords to offer a three-part series of e-book self-publishing seminars. This partnership has grown to include a co-branded publishing portal linked from the library website. The portal enables local authors to publish and distribute e-books at no cost and allows them to "Publish to the Library" if the library chooses to purchase their work. The two presenters will discuss how their partnership developed and explain how other libraries can easily do the same.

Individuals and groups interested in attending “Publishing at the Public Library: Become a Community Publishing Portal,” may register for free online.

For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit PLA’s website at www.pla.org. PLA is a division of the American Library Association. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services.