Book Expo

Every year the publishing industry sponsors Book Expo America at the Javits Center in NYC. The show started out as a way for book sellers to connect with the publishing industry, but publishers soon realized that networking with librarians was a great way to get their information out to the public.

Book Expo is the largest annual book trade fair in the United States. In the past, it's been held in Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, DC, but has found a permanent home in NYC. The publishing industry wants librarians to attend Book Expo, not just to sell us books, but to help us disseminate current information and future trends to our patrons. In this year's Day of Dialog, both Library Journal and School Library Journal provided librarian attendees with workshops designed to provide continuing education credits.

Librarians were able to participate in topics on ebooks, upcoming book buzz, author breakfasts, and collection development. Of course, all conference attendees are able to meet and greet various authors who are on hand to autograph their books.  This year a number of authors signed books for the Caldwell Public Library, including: Kate Workman (The Mom 100 Cookbook), Kate Hopper (Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers), Lisa Morrone (Sleep Well Again), Carmine Gallo (The Apple Experience), and Terry Baker Mulligan (Sugar Hill - Where the Sun Rose Over Harlem).  The Children's Room received a copy of It's a Big World, Little Pig! signed by Kristi Yamaguchi. Young Adult authors Rachel Vincent and Michael Dahl also signed copies of their books for our patrons. Robin Roberts signed an audio book copy of  My Story, My Song, the book written with her Mother, Lucimarian Roberts.

One theme came up time and again when talking with the authors I met: all of them had fond memories of the local public libraries. As soon as I asked them to sign the books to the Caldwell Public Library, they would light up and speak about what it was like to go to the library when they were a child, or tell a story about how a reference librarian helped them with research.

It's great to know that the publishing industry is supportive of a continued dialog with librarians, and I am looking forward to providing our patrons with a wide variety of new materials and ideas.

Library Director Adele Puccio with Michael Dahl, author of Troll Hunters

Carmine Gallo, signing The Apple Experience

Kristi Yamaguchi, with her book It's a Big World, Little Pig!