Why Public Libraries Matter For Documentary Filmmakers

We love public libraries – and not just because we’re too stingy to buy the hardcover of Thomas Pynchon’sBleeding Edge. 


Public libraries aren’t just great for bookworms on budgets: they are major purchasers of documentary films! In fact, few marketing segments support documentary film as consistently as the public library. If you make documentaries and you aren’t courting this market, now is the time to do it.

The best way to get your DVD into the hands of librarians is to advertise in a library wholesale catalogue. You’ll have quite a few to choose from. A well-placed ad can provide exactly the kind of exposure your film needs.

With hundreds of new DVDs hitting the market every month, there’s no guarantee that your film won’t get lost in the crowd. The closest thing to a surety is the library market’s unflagging support for the genre. So many documentaries have found their homes on the shelves of public libraries – and if you go after this market, yours may as well.

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