Welcome, Librarians

Romance Writers of America is the national non-profit writers association for the women and men who write romance fiction. So many libraries have discovered the success of popular genre fiction in their collections—not to be excluded from those collections is romance—the most popular of all genre fiction. The authors in RWA are committed to establishing and maintaining a good relationship with librarians.

Did You Know?

Romance fiction generated $1.37 billion in sales in 2008.
74.8 million people read at least one romance novel in 2008.
24.6 percent of all Americans read a romance novel in 2008, versus 21.8 percent in 2005.
29 percent of Americans over the age of 13 read a romance novel in 2008.
Women make up 90.5 percent of the romance readership, and men make up 9.5 percent.
The most popular places romance novels are read are at home or while traveling or on vacation.
29 percent of romance readers usually carry a romance novel with them.
Romance readers typically begin and finish a romance novel within 7 days.

Click here to learn more information on the popularity and diversity of the romance genre, readership and sales statistics, and romance subgenres.

RWA and Libraries

Romance Writers of America Library Grant through the Public Library Association: The Romance Writers of America Library Grant is designed to provide a public library the opportunity to build or expand its romance fiction collection and/or host romance fiction programming. The grant consists of $4500 to be used toward the purchase of romance fiction, author honorariums and travel expenses, and other applicable program expenses.
Librarians' Day at the RWA Conference: RWA hosts a day of programming and networking for librarians at its Annual Conference. The 2011 RWA Librarians' Day will take place at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City on Tuesday, June 28.
BookExpo America: RWA will host a booth at BEA in New York from May 24 - 26, 2011. Stop by the RWA booth, #3774, at BEA 2011 for information on the genre and a book signed by one of your favorite romance authors.
Librarian of the Year: Each year, RWA awards one librarian who has shown outstanding support of the romance genre with the Librarian of the Year Award. Congratulations to the 2010 RWA Librarian of the Year, Jennifer Lohmann. Check back in March 2011 to see who is chosen as the next RWA Librarian of the Year.
Authors and Libraries: Learn more about how to interact with romance authors in your library.
Center for the Book: RWA is proud to announce that it is a Reading Promotion Partner with the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book.
Archives and Collections: RWA’s archives are housed at Bowling Green State University’s Browne Popular Culture Library. The Browne Popular Culture Library also has an extensive romance manuscript collection, which according to the library’s Web site, “contain[s] correspondence, fan mail, literary manuscripts, and galley sheets from many prominent romance writers.”
RWA Chapters: Use this chapter listing to find the websites of RWA chapters in your area.
Affiliate Membership for Librarians: Learn more about how you can become a member of RWA.

Resources

Libraries Seeking Foreign Editions: Are you looking for foreign-language romance novels for your library? Sign up to add yourself to RWA's database of libraries seeking foreign editions, which romance authors reference when donating foreign language editions of their books.
RWA Speakers Bureau: Looking for an author for your next library event? Check out a list of available authors at RWA's Speakers Bureau.
Poster Gallery: Explore the poster gallery for free downloadable materials to promote your library's romance collection.
Magazines/Journals: These publications feature information on romance titles.

Looking for more information on the romance genre or have a question about RWA? Ask RWA's Library Liaison.