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Librarian of Dreams: Lesson for Publishers?
January 7, 2008

No, I'm not talking about Nancy Pearl, although for readers she remains the ultimate librarian -- I'm talking about David Smith of the New York Public Library, who is the ultimate librarian for writers per this New York Times piece. Something that struck me was how author and Vanity Fair editor David Margolick said  "you think you’re the only one who’s getting this precious help [from Smith], that you have your own personal librarian at the greatest library in the world, and then you behold a whole roomful of people for whom he’s done precisely the same thing.”

We all want personal service, don't we? I wonder if there's a lesson in Smith's example for all of us in publishing. How can we continue to find ways to make each and every reader and writer feel special? It may not be an attainable goal, but that doesn't mean it's not worth pursuing. 

One of my 2008 resolutions is to show examples in this blog of people who are working towards this goal. I already had several in mind when I read Sam Roberts' article about Smith, so it seemed like a serendipitous start for this first full week of the New Year. 

Do you have a bookseller, librarian, editor, blogger, or anyone else you'd like to see in the spotlight? Email me: thereadingwriter at aol dot com.

Posted by Bethanne Patrick on January 7, 2008 | Comments (2)