Dearborn Public Library

Local Author Donations

Dearborn Public Library welcomes the opportunity to support local literary and creative efforts. Local authors may submit their work for possible inclusion in the collection. Local authors are defined as residents or former residents of Dearborn or Dearborn Heights. Published works about Dearborn and/or Dearborn Heights are included in this definition.

These published works must meet some or all of the Library’s selection criteria as detailed below:

• Contemporary significance or permanent value
• Literary quality
• Accuracy
• Authority and competency of the author, composer, film, source of information, etc.
• Relation of work to existing collection
• Format, ease of use, readability/clarity of picture, sound or electronic presentation
• Popular demand
• Physical quality (durability) of material in all media

The above principles are not ranked. Importance will vary, depending on the subject area. Additionally:

• At least one copy of the work must be donated to the Library and will not be returned regardless of inclusion decision. It becomes the property of the Library. Items not selected for inclusion in the collection will be donated to the Friends of the Library-Dearborn (FOLD) book sale.
• Authors will be notified of inclusion.
• Items added into the collection may be withdrawn, at a future date, in accordance with the terms of the Library retention policy.
• The Library accepts physical copies (books, CDs or DVDs). Digital formats can be donated, but certain restrictions apply—inquire directly with staff about this.
• Acceptance of a copy of a work into the collection does not guarantee that the Library will purchase additional copies, or accept into the collection future works donated by the author. If additional copies are purchased, they may not be purchased directly from the author/creator.
• Items submitted in a language other than English will require a translation of certain details including Title, Author, and Brief summary.
• Items will be added into the Local Author collection and identified as such.
• Dearborn Public Library bears no obligation for marketing an author’s work.
• To submit work, please complete the Local Materials Donation Form (page 2) and submit it, along with the copy of the work to Henry Ford Centennial Library – Library Administration, 16301 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126-2330