Library Extension is a free app available as an extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers.
Once added to your fave browser, you select the libraries you wish to check to see if a book you want is in their system and you select the sites you normally use to shop for books.
Let's say you shop Amazon frequently. Select that as one of the retail sites. Go to an Amazon book page. If that book is in the library systems and/or booksellers you selected, it will show on the right of the book page near the description. If it isn't there, that will show also.
WHY THIS IS GREAT FOR AUTHORS
Has a library bought your ebook for their users? Yes, libraries buy ebooks, and the number of ebooks is constantly increasing. They can be a huge market for you. If you've made your books available through Overdrive or Hoopla for instance, you'll know if they're purchasing your ebooks for their library systems.
Select your local library and all of the bookshops you like. That way you can discover what's at your library that can be checked out for free.
If you have a favorite ebook author whose books aren't in your library, ask the librarian to make them available.
Libraries respond to users' requests. There's usually a short form to fill out if you want a specific book and/or author. Do this. Authors will love you for it.
Seeing the inventory at many different bookshops helps you find backlist books and also may help you get a lower price on a book.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The extension may look a little intimidating so look at the example and read the FAQ to understand how this tool works.
Also, when I was reading over the site and gettting ready to download the extension, I had to pause when it came to this notice that said downloading would:
Give permission to Read and change all your data on the websites you visit.
I stopped and went to the FAQ page, found that, and read why that was there. The answer is long so read it yourself. After assuring myself that was okay to do, I downloaded the extension.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
This tool is amazing, and I think all authors and readers should add it to their favorite browser.
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