Some libraries like you more than others

Forgive Ms. Obie Joe's near-obsession with libraries as a market; it's just that, for many small publishers, libraries are rich Uncles for granting visibility and sales for your book.

Even though an author or publisher can connect the Acquisitions Editor for an library system, one can also move copies by contacting the sole Acquisition Editor or Head Librarian for a particular branch. Ms. Obie Joe thinks each branch has its own flair, and some might match your book more than others.

This morning, Ms. Obie Joe escaped the home office for the library's quiet. Of great distraction, though were the shelves of the new books. Dozens of photo narrative books. Like candy for Ms. Obie Joe's other obsession. Apparently the orderer at this branch loves photo narratives.

Sure thing Ms. Obie Joe will ferret the name of this fellow fanatic the next time Obie Joe Media represents a photo narrative book.

(photo by Rebecca Lepkoff, from Life on the Lower East Side, Princeton Architectural Press)

Could librarians talk more?

Walk into any library, and you'll see a display of books recommended by the librarians. Often, the recommendations are themed: "Like Knitting? You'll Puuurl Over These!" Other recommendations respond to trends: "Chick Lits to Read in the Carpool."

Occasionally, you'll see singular recommendations under the heading of "Staff Picks," but the books stacked there look lowly (Mr. Obie Joe's son's word for lonely). Under each book should be a review; something that would inspire you to take a risk and read an unfamiliar book.

Us book publicists hear a lot about the magical properties of word-of-mouth, usually attributed to bookclubs, independent bookstores and targeted media, and so forth. But what of the librarians? Why do so few of us consult them as readers, as publicists?

It's a lost opportunity. At Mr. Obie Joe's library, the librarians have known our kids by name for over 16 years, so you would think the librarians would be the premier source of book suggestions. But beyond polite niceties, when our kids talk with librarians, there's no engagement of our kids as to what they are reading, and what they would like to read.

Perhaps librarians are not permitted to start this conversation. Perhaps librarians, many of whom are guarded behind a bureaucracy, are difficult to reach by the book industry to be included in hearing what's new.

Worse of all, perhaps librarians have forgotten how close the connection between librarian and reader can be.

Red dot means go

We'll admit it: there are times we take the sheeplike approach to trying out a new book.

Going into our library's New Fiction section can feel like a drift into the market's maelstrom of trends. Look over here -- African-American mystery. Over there: teen vampire adventures. And there: the over-the-hill chick lit.

In a bookstore, we're guided by book promotions delicate (posting of the NYT Bestsellers List), and overt (40% off a B&N designated hit). There are shelf ads, "Staff Recommends" bookstand, and stand-alone tables/bookshelves to guide the buyer.

A number of librarians have cottoned to adopting a bookstore's feel to their library. Beyond the comfy chairs, Teen Lit sections, and even lattes in the lobby, these libraries have adopted some of the stealth ways bookstores push certain titles.

(excerpted from www.ckls.org/~crippel/marketing/bookstore.html )
"One librarian, Sharon Baker, discovered that merely placing a red dot on spines of books on the regular shelves with signs on the end panels saying red dots mean recommended books increased circulation of those books by 9% to 179%. Dots of different colors could represent different genres, different awards (e.g., Nebula vs. Hugo) or different sources of recommendation (e.g., Modern Library list best novels)."

As a fan of the color red romantically, Mr. Obie Joe, is impressed with a quiet, but expert, way to help readers try out titles unfamiliar to them.