Let your book do the traveling while you stay at your desk, and still reach the librarians who build California’s collections.
Getting a book noticed by librarians can open valuable opportunities for authors and publishers. Librarians influence purchasing decisions, recommend titles to readers, support educational programs, and help books reach communities across schools, universities, and public library systems.
However, attending a major library conference can require travel, hotel reservations, registration fees, booth staffing, and several days away from work. For many independent authors and smaller publishers, that level of commitment may not be practical. Professional book exhibits provide another option. Through The Combined Book Exhibit, authors and publishers can present their books to California librarians and other collection decision-makers without attending the conference personally. Your book deserves to be seen, and professional book promotion can help place it in front of the right audience while CBE manages the California Library Association exhibit.
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The Audience
Why Are California Librarians an Important Audience for Authors?
California has one of the largest and most diverse reading communities in the United States. Its public, academic, and school libraries serve readers of different ages, interests, languages, educational needs, and cultural backgrounds. That breadth is exactly why the state rewards titles that arrive with clear positioning.
Librarians regularly look for books that can strengthen their collections and support the communities they serve, including:
Children’s books that suit story hours, class visits, and early literacy programming
Educational resources that support curriculum needs in schools and universities
Fiction and nonfiction across the subject areas their readers ask for most
Reference materials that hold their value on the shelf for years
Local-interest and multicultural titles that speak directly to the communities a branch serves
Works on emerging subjects where collections have visible gaps
Unlike general readers, librarians often evaluate books based on their long-term value, relevance, credibility, accessibility, and potential demand. Reaching this professional audience can therefore create visibility that extends beyond a single book sale. A librarian who discovers a suitable title may consider purchasing it, recommend it to colleagues, include it in a reading list, or introduce it to readers through library programming.
No Travel Required
Do You Need to Attend a Library Conference in Person?
Authors and publishers do not necessarily need to attend a conference personally to have their books represented. Combined Book Exhibit professionally displays books at major publishing events, library conferences, and international book fairs. This gives participating titles a physical presence at the event while removing the need for authors to arrange travel, reserve exhibition space, or staff a booth.
Once registered, the author or publisher sends the required display copy to CBE. The Combined Book Exhibit team handles the book’s placement and presentation at the selected conference. This approach allows authors to focus on writing and publishing while benefiting from exposure to librarians, educators, booksellers, distributors, reviewers, and other industry professionals. No travel is required, and no personal booth staffing is necessary.
The Exhibit
How Does a Professional Book Exhibit Work?
A professional exhibit presents participating books together in an organized display that conference visitors can browse. Librarians and other attendees can view book covers, explore subjects, and identify titles that may be relevant to their institutions or readers. A print book display puts the physical edition on the shelf where those visitors are already looking.
Each registered title is also included in the official Combined Book Exhibit catalog. The catalog gives visitors another way to discover books, review publishing information, and learn where titles can be purchased.
The book’s visibility does not end when the conference closes. Participating titles receive an online catalog listing that remains searchable for two years, so librarians, booksellers, and educators can keep discovering the title long after the exhibit hall is packed up.
For authors comparing different book promotion options, this combination of physical display, catalog exposure, and long-term online visibility offers several opportunities for discovery from a single registration.
Digital Formats
How Can Ebook Marketing Help You Reach More Librarians?
Physical book displays remain valuable because conference attendees can see the title in person. However, ebook marketing can add another layer of visibility, especially for authors whose books are primarily available in digital formats.
Through an Ebook Display, a book cover can be presented on digital monitors at the conference. The title can also appear in the printed catalog and the searchable online catalog. This format can be especially useful for self-published authors, digital-first publishers, educational content providers, and writers who want to promote an ebook without shipping multiple physical copies.
Authors who offer both print and digital editions can also choose a combined display. A Print and Ebook Combo provides broader representation by presenting the physical book while also highlighting the digital edition. Using both formats can help librarians understand that the title is available in different ways, making it easier for them to consider how it could fit their collection or reader preferences.
Catalog Visibility
Why Is Catalog Exposure Important for Book Promotion?
Conference halls can be busy, and attendees may not have time to examine every book in detail. A catalog gives librarians a practical reference they can review during or after the event.
Combined Book Exhibit catalogs organize participating titles and provide useful information about each book. Librarians can use the catalog to revisit a title they noticed, research its availability, or share it with other collection decision-makers.
Catalog visibility also supports book promotion beyond the physical exhibit. A full-page catalog advertisement can provide additional space to feature a book cover, author name, description, reviews, awards, or ordering information. Authors and publishers registering for two or more eligible CBE fairs may also qualify for a complimentary full-page catalog advertisement at one of the selected events. This creates another opportunity to strengthen visibility across library conferences and international book fairs.
The Process
What Does Combined Book Exhibit Handle for You?
Combined Book Exhibit simplifies the process of participating in major publishing and library events. The basic process includes four straightforward steps.
CBE handles the professional display, printed catalog listing, online catalog placement, and buyer-direction information. Authors do not need to design a booth, hire staff, arrange event equipment, or remain at the venue throughout the conference. With more than 90 years of publishing industry experience, Combined Book Exhibit has helped thousands of authors and publishers present their books at important events around the world.
Preparation
How Should You Prepare Your Book for the Conference?
Before registering, make sure your book information is complete and consistent:
Core bibliographic details including the book title, author or publisher name, and ISBN
Description and category that explain what the book is about, who it is written for, and why it may be useful or appealing to readers
Cover image, price, and purchase links so an interested librarian can act on what they find
Librarians often review many titles, so a clear description can help them understand the book’s value more efficiently. Authors should also select the event that best matches their target audience. A children’s publisher may prioritize conferences and international fairs focused on education or young readers, while a nonfiction author may look for events attended by public and academic librarians.
Always register and ship the display copy before the published deadline. Sending materials early provides enough time for processing and helps prevent delays.
Setting Expectations
Can Conference Exposure Guarantee Library Orders?
No book promotion service can guarantee sales, purchases, reviews, or library placements. Final acquisition decisions depend on each librarian’s collection needs, available budget, reader demand, professional reviews, and institutional policies.
The value of conference exposure is that it increases the opportunity for your book to be seen by relevant decision-makers. Instead of relying only on online advertising or social media, your title is presented in an environment where attendees are actively exploring books and publishing resources.
This focused exposure can complement other marketing efforts such as author websites, review campaigns, social media promotion, bookstore outreach, and ebook marketing.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions authors and publishers ask most often before registering a title.
Yes. Combined Book Exhibit works with self-published authors, independent publishers, university presses, small publishing companies, and major publishing houses. Eligible titles can be registered for print displays, ebook displays, or combined display packages.
Authors and publishers generally need to send one display copy per registered show. The book should arrive at the designated shipping location before the display deadline listed for the event.
Participating titles receive two years of searchable online catalog visibility. This helps publishing professionals continue discovering the book after the conference has ended.
Yes. Authors can select the Print and Ebook Combo to present both formats. This option provides physical display exposure while also highlighting the ebook through digital presentation and catalog listings.
No. Combined Book Exhibit manages the display on your behalf. There is no need to travel, rent a booth, or provide staff at the event.
Next Steps
Promote Your Book Without Attending the Conference
Reaching California librarians does not have to involve expensive travel or managing your own conference booth. With Combined Book Exhibit, your print book or ebook can be professionally presented at a major library conference while you remain focused on your publishing goals.
Your title can receive physical or digital display exposure, catalog inclusion, buyer information, and two years of online visibility. Whether you are an independent author, a self-publisher, or an established publishing company, CBE offers a practical way to support your book promotion strategy and get in front of the right buyers. Choose your show, register online, ship your book, and let Combined Book Exhibit handle the rest.
Put Your Title in Front of California Librarians
Explore upcoming conferences and display options, or call the Combined Book Exhibit team at 914-739-7500 to talk through the right format for your book.
