BookExpo America (BEA) is the event of the year for the book industry in the United States. The last time the convention was held in New York, there were about 38,000 industry professionals, authors, book buyers, librarians and media representatives in attendance.
Just think of it. The exhibits feature the largest selection of English language titles in the world. There are also educational events, author signings, and wonderful giveaways, including galleys of upcoming books. It is simply a booklover's paradise! More than 1,000 authors are expected this year, as well as 2,000 exhibitors including 1200 publishers. This means acres of books! Speakers at BEA this year include Stephen Colbert, Ken Burns, Khaled Hosseini, Alan Greenspan, Muhammad Yunus, Alan Alda, Lisa See, Rosie O'Donnell, Paul Coelho, Ian McEwan, Russell Simmons and Paul Krugman. Many other authors will be on hand to sign their books. Need I say more?
Although exhibits open on Friday, June 1, consider attending Library Journal's free Day of Dialog on Thursday, May 31. This is the place where you can connect with your peers among the huge crowds.
In the past, most librarians who attended BEA were collection development officers from large libraries, or local librarians who toured the exhibits for just a day. Every year BEA is increasing their efforts to reach out to librarians, however; and for readers' advisors, this convention is a natural fit.
RA News spoke to several librarians to ask for tips on how to "do" BEA. Here's what we found:
BEA Tips
Francine Fialkoff, Editor-in-Chief, Library Journal offers these suggestions:
- "While you shouldn't cross off the huge booths and their galleys from multi-imprint publishers, you're more likely to hear about their books elsewhere (e.g., in LJ's Prepub Alert), and you can often find lesser known or new writers at other booths. I met (and picked up and then read) Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants, an extraordinary first novel from Algonquin (which is in the Workman booth)."
- "If the publisher says a book is great, take a chance on it, especially if it's a debut author. Publishers have their favorites too, and know their forthcoming books."
- "For RA tips, especially for a genre you're not familiar with, go to the genre programs that BEA has. Of course, you won't want to spend too much time off the floor, so be selective. (And check out Library Journal's Day of Dialog on May 31--the day before BEA officially opens—which will cover romance and hot picks from publishers, among other topics; for information and to register, go to http://www.libraryjournal.com/dayofdialog)."
- "For nonfiction RA, go to the category index in the BEA catalog and then hit some of the publishers you find. It's not that extensive a listing, but some of the categories include travel/outdoor recreation and environment/natural world, which may help with male readers."
- "Take opportunities to meet authors and publicists; pick up cards. You may find an author whom you can later invite to do a telephone interview/podcast/videoconference with one of your book groups."
- "Stop by the LJ booth (#4131) to pick up magazines and promotional materials."
Always the practical librarian, Nancy Pearl, readers' advisor extraordinaire, NPR commentator and author of Now Read This, Now Read This II, Book Lust, More Book Lust, and the forthcoming Book Crush, has two tips:
- "Wear very comfortable shoes."
- "Be selective about what ARCs, AREs, or galleys you pick up, even though the temptation will be to take everything you see."
Here are a few more tips from my personal experience:
- This convention is huge. You will walk miles. Register, get your guide to exhibits and programs and take it to your hotel or to a coffee shop to plan your strategy. Make reservations as early as possible, and remember how huge this event is. BEA has designated a Librarians Hotel and shuttle bus service, but if you leave the center just as exhibits are closing as I did one year, you will have to fight with thousands of exhibitors for transportation.
- Look for the LJ Librarians' Lounge (#5264) on the exhibit floor. This place to rest your feet and get a little refreshment just may be better than an oasis after a day in the desert! And only librarians are allowed in, so this is the one place besides Day of Dialog where you can be sure to connect with counterparts.
- Nancy and Francine mentioned galleys. You can ship them home, but they will be very heavy to carry around. One way to be selective is to watch Publishers Weekly in early or mid-April for a list of the most wanted galleys and in which booths they can be found.
- Listen for the "buzz." The publishers will tell you what's going to be hot; there will be good gossip and insider information in the newsletter Publishers Lunch-which is often given away on the exhibit floor.
- If you'd like to get a taste of the educational programs, listen to a few past programs on the BEA Podcast to get an idea of what's been done in previous years.
- If you can't make it to BEA this year, consider 2008 in Los Angeles. Sign up for the BEA Librarian's Newsletter to stay informed.
- Have fun. This just could be the highlight of your year!
Cynthia Orr
is the Collection Manager at Cleveland Public Library in Ohio. She teaches Readers' Advisory Service classes and workshops for Kent State University's Graduate School of Library and Information Science, writes Read-Alike columns for NoveList, is a member of the PLA Readers' Advisory Committee, and of the Advisory Board for the Reader's Advisor Online, from Libraries Unlimited.