Gregory's Server@CStamp @internetarchive My local public libraries tend to accept book donations. I'm not sure if they generally ask authors or publishers. I was generally under the impression that libraries just bought books the same way as everyone else did.
That said, I've just learned that in Canada, we pay for lending rights on an annual basis (https://publiclendingright.ca/) though this appears to be done a country-wide level rather than the local-level.
I'm ignorant on the subject, that's my bad.
@lio @CStamp @internetarchive Generally libraries (at last in parts of Canada) pay a bit extra for books so the author can get at least a bit of compensation to make up for fewer sales of the books. Authors spend months or years working a book -- they need to get compensation for at least some of that time. Royalties don't bring in much for most authors, so when digital copies are stolen, it really hurts the creators/authors.
Not that many books in libraries are donated -- many donated ones aren't wanted.