I’m not a collection development librarian, so I’m probably not the best person to ask, but I know that when I do buy books it’s because I saw it reviewed in a reputable source. So at least in my small corner of the library world, the best advice I have is to get your work reviewed in one of the academic or professional journals for poetry, in one of the publications that’s primarily geared toward reviews, in news sources (even small local ones may catch the eye of a local library), or in something similar.

Best of luck!

I already have two strikes against me in that Injuring Eternity is a poetry collection with a small press; however, I have received good reviews and my awards include a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, and as a Portuguese-American writer, I am part of a small group of hispanic writers who are just recently gathering speed as a literary group. Individually I have targeted libraries in PA communities and libraries that might be interested due to the subject matter. My book is not BIG enough to be reviewed in Publishers Weekly. I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks!