Over the past few years, librarians have become an increasingly important part of BookExpo America, with the expanded Library Insight track and more events and promotions for librarians. With this year’s BEA in Chicago, the hometown American Library Association is hosting three sessions under its “Libraries Transform: ALA@BEA" campaign
Libraries Transform: ALA@BEA
Embrace the Innovative Future of Readers’ Advisory (May 12, 9–9:50 a.m.)
How librarians match books and authors with readers, moderated by William Kelly, Cuyahoga County Public Library, with Donna Seaman, Booklist; Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Library System; and Becky Spratford, readers’ advisory specialist.
Nurture Local Writers at Your Library! (May 12, 10–10:50 a.m.)
Understanding the self-publishing option for local authors, with moderator Laurie Kince, Cuyahoga County Public Library, and Veronda Pitchford, director of membership development for RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library System).
Publisher Marketing Teams Helping You Help Readers (May 12, 11–11:50 a.m.)
How publishers support libraries, moderated by Wendy Bartlett, collection development and acquisitions manager at Cuyahoga County Public Library, with Nora Rawlinson, cofounder, EarlyWord; Virginia Stanley, HarperCollins; Talia Sherer, Macmillan; Anne Spieth, also Macmillan; and Amanda Rountree, HarperCollins.
Note: all three ALA@BEA sessions are in McCormick Room W183.
Additional Panels
Demystifying How Librarians Buy (May 13, 11–11:50 a.m., MCC W179a).
U.S. public libraries spend $1.8 billion annually on materials budgets. Learn how the money is spent, with moderator Brian Kenney, PW columnist and director of the White Plains Public Library; Charlene Rue, BookOps, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Stephen Sposato, Chicago Public Library; and Wendy Bartlett, Cuyahoga County Public Library.
Polish Literature Is for Everyone: How to Curate Core Collections of Polish Literature at Public Libraries (May 13, 12:30–1:20 p.m.)
Poland is BEA’s 2016 Global Market Guest of Honor—and if you know Chicago, you know there is a vibrant Polish population there. This is a crash course in Polish literature, featuring Isabella Nowak-Osika, serials manager of the acquisitions department at the Chicago Public Library.
Check the BEA program for more program details—and librarians can save a little money when they register (at bookexpoamerica.com). Use the special promotional code for librarians, LTBEA, to receive a $20 discount off the Early Bird rate if you register before April 26 for a 3-Day BEA Pass. Hey, $20 can get you a great Polish meal in Chicago—just saying.
