Libro.fm, the audiobook platform known for its support of independent bookshops, is set to launch internationally on July 26th. This expansion will allow bookshops worldwide to leverage audiobook sales, tapping into the rapidly growing segment in publishing, projected to reach $35 billion in global revenue by 2030.
By partnering with Libro.fm, bookshops gain the flexibility to offer audiobooks individually or through a credit model, providing a competitive alternative to Amazon’s Audible. Since its founding in 2014, Libro.fm has collaborated with over 2,200 independent bookshops globally, providing access to more than 400,000 DRM-free digital audiobooks.
Mark Pearson, Co-Founder, and CEO of Libro.fm stated, “As an employee-owned company with just 18 employees in the U.S. and U.K., we understand the challenges that independent bookshops face. Expanding globally allows us to support local bookshops, authors, and publishers by offering new avenues for audiobook sales while making reading more accessible.”
Libro.fm‘s unique approach empowers readers to choose the bookshop they wish to support upon creating an account. With each purchase, bookshops receive profits, whether it’s through monthly memberships, credit bundles, individual audiobook purchases, or audiobook gifts.
As a Social Purpose Corporation, Libro.fm prioritizes its mission and purpose over profits, seeking to foster long-term success for booksellers. The company’s commitment to inclusivity is evident through its dedication to featuring diverse audiobooks by authors of color, disabled authors, and LGBTQIA+ authors, as well as amplifying historically excluded voices.
The global expansion underscores Libro.fm‘s vision as a technology partner to local bookshops, aiming to bridge the gap between readers and independent bookstores while promoting accessibility and inclusivity in the world of audiobooks.
