Periodically we provide reports from library and book industry conferences. This week we have a report on BEA, the largest book related conference in the US.
By Stacey Hayman
I attended BookExpo America 2008 in Los Angeles last week and I’m still recovering. The main event was three days of non-stop walking, talking, snagging, and standing. But I was one of the lucky librarians who had the chance to start my experience one day earlier at the LA Public Library.
Library Journal Day of Dialog, held at the Central Library of the Los Angeles Public Library, was a day to celebrate libraries and the reader’s advisory services provided by intrepid librarians everywhere. We saw RA databases -including the fab Readers Advisor Online, we heard about all the different types of audio book formats, historical fiction writers gave us a peek into their writing lives, and editors shared titles they predict will be big in the fall. Add in a very tasty lunch, and it was a nearly perfect day, if only that bright sun had not been so shiny and warm. I’m kidding. I live near Cleveland in Ohio -a wonderful place to live- but it is not known for it’s sunniness. When native Clevelanders see so much sunshine, it can be a tad unnerving for us…
The following day was the first official day of BEA at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Thankfully, I was not alone. Rosemary -a fellow reference staffer- and John -our library director- were there too, so when the exhibit hall doors opened at 9:00 a.m. and the crowd rushed in, we protected each other from being trampled. At least it felt like that. It was hard not to be caught up in the frenzied feeling, though.
But by lunch time that feeling was replaced by the first wave of exhaustion. There were more publishers, presses, and distributors passing out free books – and bags to carry the books – than I would have guessed possible. That’s right—free books—and other really neat swag. Luckily, an area to pack books for shipment was just below the exhibit hall – it was an area we visited many times!
Down a long corridor was a second hall with even more exhibitors waiting for us to visit. And we did. The second hall also had an autographing area where authors were signing books. We went there too, of course.
A large point of discussion at Day of Dialogue, in programs at the Convention Center, and in the reports I’ve read now that BEA is over, is whether or not librarians were welcomed at the BookExpo. As this was the first time anyone from my library was able to attend, I have no way to compare, but there were moments when it felt like we were crashing a party. There were plenty of blue bands on nametags – signaling an “Educator” or “Librarian” – but some exhibitors seemed surprised when I stopped to chat. And then there were the A-list parties we weren’t invited to – and hadn’t even been aware of – until we overheard others discuss where they were headed for the evening. Ouch.
I would like for the publishing industry to consider this: I believe libraries will thrive and may soon become the industry’s largest consumers. With the big bookstore chains experiencing financially difficult times, libraries continue to buy large quantities of materials—and we don’t return them! Help us help you by making BookExpo even more attractive to librarians. Offer more programs focused on all types of libraries – public, academic, and school – invite librarians to publisher-sponsored parties to make connections, ask librarians for feedback after we attend, and it’s likely this convention will draw even more library related attendees in the future. And we also share a responsibility in this effort. The more librarians take this convention seriously as a way to stay current and active in what is being published, the more seriously the publishing industry will take us. And it is definitely worth it to attend.
Even without the invite to an A-list party and even though I may have startled vendors with my questions, I loved every minute that I was there. Four days of being with other people who are so passionate about reading is an unforgettably great experience. Having the chance to see what is being published, finding copies of unreleased books by authors I love, and being able to share the booty with co-workers who also love to read, is worth two sore shoulders and the many blisters on my feet. For those lucky enough to go to BookExpo America 2009 in New York, I recommend: start your physical endurance training now, wear the most supportive and comfortable shoes you own, and be ready to have the best time of your life!
I attended BEA as well. I found the reception for librarians to be quite mixed. Overall, though, I found that publishers were not at all versed in the language of libraries. Several publishers stopped to talk to me when discovering I was a librarian, but they just could NOT understand that as a librarian in an academic library serving limited areas of study that we would not be interested in purchasing romance novels or engineering tomes. When I tried to explain this, I was generally met with blank stares. I think publishers’ sales reps need to quickly wise up to the language of libraries and learn about our business and service models. I did make a few good connections there, but mostly I enjoyed being exposed to the variety of new and upcoming titles. The autographing area was excellent, but it could have been organized a bit better. At times it was difficult to tell who was in line for what.
This was my second trip to BEA, and I found it better this time. I also learned more and attended some sessions. I still feel like I have a lot to learn and need to hone my book expo attendance skills – knowing what sessions to attend, how to get autographing tickets, how much walking around to do and when, etc. It’s an overwhelming experience!