Top 5 Considerations for School Librarians Buying Books
Intro
Building a strong school library collection takes more than just adding new titles to your shelves. It’s about balancing budgets, saving time, and making sure the books you choose truly connect with students. For both school librarians and district administrators, finding the right vendor can make that process easier — and a lot less stressful.
Here are the top 5 considerations to keep in mind when choosing where to buy books for your school library.
1. Cost Per Book
Every budget decision counts. While one vendor might promote steep discounts, it’s important to look closely at what’s actually included. Shipping fees, processing costs, or the lack of bonus titles and support can make “cheap” options less valuable in the long run.
JLG helps librarians make a fair comparison:
· Discounted backlist (previously selected books) titles and even free bonus books.
· Free shipping on every order means no hidden charges.
· Circ Perks loyalty program with exclusive savings and rewards.
When you add it all up, the true cost per book goes further with JLG.
2. Processing & Extras That Save Time
School librarians juggle a lot, and processing books manually eats up valuable hours. That’s why processing options like barcodes, MARC records, and RFID tags can make such a difference.
Processing isn’t the only extra worth considering. JLG members also enjoy:
· Full length professional reviews from trusted names like School Library Journal, Library Journal, Kirkus, and The Horn Book.
· Dedicated selectors, MLS-trained experts who specialize in every genre, even the toughest-to-choose categories.
· Professional development discounts and resources to keep your team growing.
These “extras” don’t just save time: they build confidence in every book you add to your shelves.
3. Reliable Shipping
We’ve all heard the stories of shipments that arrive late or incomplete. For librarians on a schedule, reliable delivery is more than a convenience; it’s essential.
JLG books ship directly from our Ohio warehouse with:
· A 95% fill rate (your order arrives complete the first time).
· 3–5 day average turnaround on most orders.
· Predictable, on-time deliveries month after month.
That kind of reliability takes the guesswork out of collection planning.
4. Curation That Combines Hits and Hidden Gems
Cost and logistics matter, but so does what’s actually inside the box. Some vendors focus on bulk; JLG focuses on quality and discovery.
Every year, our editorial team reads thousands of pre-publication manuscripts and carefully selects titles that balance high-interest favorites with unexpected gems that spark curiosity. Whether your hardest-to-fill category is STEAM, sports, or mystery, JLG has a dedicated selector ensuring you get the best mix for your shelves.
This level of curation helps students find the books they love.
5. A Partner in Collection Enhancement
Buying books isn’t a one-time transaction. It’s an ongoing process of keeping your collection current, relevant, and engaging. The best vendors act as partners in that journey.
With JLG, partnership means:
· One PO and one invoice for a full year of books — no paperwork headaches.
· Automated collection freshness so your shelves never feel out-of-date.
· Flexibility to swap titles before your box ships, so you’re always in control.
· Nearly 100 years of trusted expertise, backed by partnerships with School Library Journal, Library Journal, and The Horn Book.
It’s about more than buying books — it’s about strengthening your library for the long term.
Final Word: More Than Books. A True Partner.
When you weigh cost, extras, shipping, curation, and partnership together, the choice becomes clear: the right vendor doesn’t just supply books — they enhance your collection and make your work easier.
Ready to simplify your collection development and get the best value for your library? Join JLG today to unlock exclusive discounts, free shipping, expertly curated selections, and loyalty perks designed with librarians in mind.
