The goal of the "How Libraries Buy" panel was to start a dialogue between publishers and librarians (with a focus on adult trade books). "It's hard for publishers to see your impact on their bottom line," Nora Rawlinson, v-p of library services at Hachette Book Group and one-time librarian at the Baltimore County Public Library, said. She cited a recent Library Journal poll that found library budgets have recently increased by 44%. Libraries have the potential to be "the next Book Sense," she added, "the next big promotion vehicle for new titles."

Leslie Burger, director of the Princeton Library in Princeton, N.J., revealed that as she traveled the country this past year in her role as president of the American Library Association she found "a renewed interest in reading," which is "good news for all of us." Burger emphasized that the 16,000 libraries across the country are buying more books, serving an increasing number of patrons who are using the Internet to reserve books from home and becoming more community-oriented by hosting author readings and other events such as One Book One Read programs. "We're not in the business of selling books, but we are in the business of peddling books," she declared.

"Just because we don't buy direct doesn't mean we don't buy," said Barbara Jenko, director of the Brooklyn Public Library, which has 60 branches and serves 2.5 million people. She noted that circulation is up 35% over the last two years mainly because of online access of the library's catalogue.

Children and young adult publishers, said Jenko, are more in tune with the library market, which has an impact on Newbery and Caldecott Award selections. "The adult side is more obscure," she noted, with the public--and publishers--still believing that "we're your grandmother's library." Jenko concluded with a resounding statement that should be music to publishers' ears: "Libraries spend millions each year on books--and we never return them."

Rounding out the panelists was Tom Dunne, president of his eponymous imprint at St. Martin's Press , who noted that libraries are the company's second largest customer.

Other interesting points from the panelists:

• Libraries have a significant impact on categories where sales typically aren't high, such as first novels and genre fiction.
• The Skokie Public Library in Illinois plans to purchase 100 copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and open its doors at midnight for a wizardly celebration.
• The trade paperback format has "transformed how libraries buy," Jenko said. "We use them until they fall apart and then we're going to buy more." She noted that libraries are buying an increased number of trade paperback originals.
• Being in touch with popular culture is crucial for librarians, Burger noted, because books featured on TV shows and radio programs and in magazines and newspapers often drive requests.
• Libraries should use their websites to share information such as book reviews, what book clubs are reading and hot titles of the week.
• Publishers might want to consider adding libraries to author tours. The Princeton Public Library, which partners with a local bookstore and receives a percentage of sales, will hold an event later this month with Walter Isaacson, whose new book is Einstein: His Life and Universe.
• Publishers should consider sending sales reps to call on collection development librarians.
• Librarians need title information 8-10 months in advance of publication. For new books in a series, it's beneficial to know as soon as a book is signed up, as patrons regularly inquire when the next book is coming. Advance reading copies are beneficial for librarians to have.
• Many libraries have readers advisors, a key person to receive information about new and forthcoming titles.

--Shannon McKenna