Library Insights Summit
Beyond the lending of books and scolding of rowdy patrons, being a librarian today requires the skills of an event planner, computer scientist, psychologist, data management professional, and public service officer—along with a whole lot of time set aside for reading and research. Not a job for the faint of heart.
Book publishers hoping to work more closely with libraries need to understand this reality, need to appreciate how librarians budget, buy materials, engage with their communities, fight for funding, and so much more.
Enter the Library Insights Summit. A one-day educational intensive led by some of the most innovative librarians and book publishing professionals working in the industry today. Topics discussed include book bans, metadata, e-books, how best to communicate with librarians, the book genres chronically in short supply for libraries, a librarian dream list for publishers, and much more.
Growing from its well-received 2023 launch, this unique event will take place pre-ALA, Friday, June 28, 2024 in San Diego!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2023
Gathering of Book Publishers and Librarians Seeks to Strengthen the Relationship
Traverse City, MI—The premiere installment of the Library Insights Summit hosted by Foreword Magazine took place on Friday, June 23, 2023 at McCormick Place on opening day of the American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago.
The program featured presentations from distinguished library and publishing professionals including keynotes by former ALA president Sari Feldman and New York Times bestselling author Kate DiCamillo. Nearly one hundred book industry representatives and librarians were in attendance.
Book banning took center stage with lively discussions about how publishers can work with libraries as partners to navigate the challenging environment. Featured panelists Lisa Varga (Virginia Library Association and ALA Policy Corps), Skip Dye (Penguin Random House), Heather D. Hutto (Bristow Public Library, OK), and John Bracken (Banned Book Club) each offered compelling evidence that the battle against bans will be won through legislative and grassroots efforts. They encouraged participation in PEN America’s Unite Against Book Bans initiative and shared a comprehensive Banned Books Resource Guide.
Panelists Jeremy Kitchen (Chicago Public Library, IL), Jessica Trotter (Capital Area District Library, MI), and Mackenzie Ledley (Pulaski County Public LIbrary, IN), spoke to attendees about What A Librarian Needs. Book wholesaler and distributor reps Doug Voss (Ingram), Ann Lehue (Ingram), Brad Fish (IPG), and Beth Resier (Baker & Taylor) spoke expansively about the value of metadata as primary concern for publishers getting their books into libraries large and small. Claire Kelley (Seven Stories Press) moderated a panel with Micah May (The Palace Project) and Stephanie Anderson (New York Public Library, NY) about the ebook landscape in libraries.
“The overwhelming reception we received from both panelists and attendees gave us an indication there is keen interest in professional gatherings of this type,” shared Victoria Sutherland, publisher of Foreword and the conference moderator. “A nice surprise was the number of librarians who joined us as attendees and fed lively conversations and networking in between sessions.”
Notable points of interest from the speakers included the category gaps librarians experience such as Indigenous and LGBTQ+ content; the quest for books about “simply boys” in YA category; the importance of good, clean, early metadata; the surprising number of rural libraries across the country and their budgetary struggles; the value of librarian and publisher partnerships beyond book banning efforts; and the myriad options of ebook pricing models that pose significant challenges to all.
The event was produced as a partnership between Foreword Magazine, managing content and developing panels, the American Library Association (ALA), providing operations support, and Hall-Erickson Exhibition Management (HEI), providing pre-event planning, speaker management and onsite logistics. A second edition of the event is being planned for June of 2024.
About Foreword Magazine: Celebrating 25 years, Foreword Reviews provides trade book reviews of the best titles from independent presses. In print and online, its FOLIO award-winning design and editorial content has made the magazine a favorite among librarians, booksellers, and avid readers since 1998.
About American Library Association: The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.
About Hall-Erickson, Inc: (HEI) founded in 1952, is an exhibition, conference and event management company providing strategic planning, sales, marketing and operation services to associations and publishers. HEI works with clients to produce 25 events around the world each year, that range in size from 15,000 to 850,000 net square feet of exhibit space. In 2023, these events include over 5,000 exhibitors and 200,000 attendees.
Victoria Sutherland
