First thing is that you should all read Becky (RA for All) Spratford's post here. I agree with her, especially the details that made her angry. I participated in the Library Insights Preconference and watched many of the panels. One thing I noticed is that if you are not involved in libraries post-Baker & Taylor, you can't really understand how much the world of library book purchasing has changed. It would have been helpful to have someone who is working in that area now speak about that, rather than a consultant. There were acquisitions librarians in both public and school libraries in the room.
A panel on what libraries wish publishers would publish emphasized gaps in different age groups. There is an unmet need for young teen lit, with appeal to those roughly 12-15. These books would have shorter chapters and exciting covers. Genres like mysteries and horror (spooky, not scary) are especially popular. There is also a gap in humor, especially that which has appeal to girls. On the other end of the spectrum, there are also not as many books which focus on older protagonists aside from mysteries. These readers want to see themselves and their experiences on the page.
I echo Becky's disappointment with ALA's decision to allow Sharjah Book Authority CEO Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri a spotlight at the opening ceremony. There were other international library leaders in attendance who could have added to the call to end censorship and the restricting of the freedom to read, rather than giving the microphone to someone from a country which actively restricts the press and oppresses the LGBTQ+ community. It's ridiculous to celebrate that community with one hand while giving positive attention to someone who represents a nation where that community is criminalized.
There were no panels on readers advisory that I saw. Becky and I hosted an ALA huddle which was clearly designed for 5-6 people to have a conversation. Over 20 people showed up and some unfortunately left as they could not hear us in the open hallway with a high ceiling. It was a great conversation and I hope that there are some panels on book display basics for attendees. If you are visiting here from that huddle, welcome! Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss book display or passive readers advisory for your library.
It was wonderful to see horror authors like James Tynion IV, Tananarive Due, Cynthia Pelayo, and Daniel Kraus at the conference. There did seem to be an emphasis on YA and youth literature at the conference. I did have some meaningful meetings with vendors and learned about upcoming titles but overall, there did seem to be less offerings for those who deal in adult fiction.
Hopefully, I will see many of you in New Orleans next year!
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