The lines of communication between librarians and publishers are open, and this year’s BEA program features a number of panels dedicated to keeping a dialogue going. Among the highlights:

ALA executive director Keith Michael Fiels will moderate “The Power of Partnerships: Libraries, Vendors, and Publishers” in Room 1E14 tomorrow, 11–11:50 a.m., where topics will range from e-book problems to ways that publishers, vendors, and libraries can better collaborate. Scheduled speakers include Michael Bills, director of sales and marketing for digital products, Baker & Taylor; Michael Colford, director of library services at the Boston Public Library; Josh Marwell, president of sales, HarperCollins; Veronda Pitchford, director of membership development and resource sharing for the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS); and Andrew Roskill, CEO and founder of BiblioLabs.

On Friday, fans can meet Gene Ambaum and Bill Barnes, co-creators of the popular library-themed comic strip Unshelved, in Room 1E14, 10–10:50 a.m. Librarians and booksellers are urged to come with their “best true work story,” one of which Ambaum and Barnes will choose to turn into a comic strip right from the stage.

Also on Friday, join PW senior writer Andrew Albanese, along with Skokie Public Library director Carolyn Anthony, Midwest Tape v-p Jeff Jankowski, and EarlyWord editor Nora Rawlinson, in Room 1E07, 1–1:50 p.m., for a discussion titled “Public Libraries: The Publishers’ Discovery (and Revenue) Friend in the Digital Age.” The discussion will examine the latest trends in libraries and will explore the way libraries have become increasingly vital economic drivers for the book business.

The Association of American Publishers is holding a two-part Librarians’ Book Buzz panel, where publishers share with librarians the titles they are most excited about for the forthcoming season. Part 1 is set for tomorrow, 1:45–3:15 p.m., and Part 2 will take place on Friday, 2–3:20 p.m.—both in Room 1E14.

Wednesday, May 27

Event Time
Select Books presents Lauri Taylor,The Accidental Truth. 1–1:30 p.m.
Select Books presents Sergey Knazev,The Fame Game. 1:30–2 p.m.
Ingram Sparks presents “Self-Publishing at Your Library.” 2:15–3:15 p.m.
Select Books presents Suzanne Jessee,Escape Anxiety. 3:30–4 p.m.
Select Books presents Marie White Small, Stony Kill. 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 28

Event Time
Baker & Taylor will have reps on hand to discuss Axis360, plus giveaways. 9–10 p.m.
Little, Brown presents Libba Bray and Barry Lyga in conversation. A limited number of copies of Bray’s Lair of Dreams and After the Red Rain, by Lyga, Peter Facinelli, and Robert deFranco, will be given away. 10:15–11:15 p.m.
Bella & Harry presents Lisa Manzione, Christmas in New York City! The Adventures of Bella & Harry. 11:30–12:30 p.m.
Rowman & Littlefield presents galley giveaways and hosts authors Amy J. L. Baker and Bijan C. Bayne. 12:45–1:45 p.m.
Severn House invites librarians to drop in and meet the Severn House team, joined by Peter Cannon, PW mystery reviews editor, and receive an exclusive short story giveaway by Michael Gregorio (in association with Ingram Content Group). 2–5:30 p.m.

Friday, May 29

Event Time
NetGalley invites librarians to learn about the NetGalley digital review system and receive exclusive NetGalley downloadable titles from Librarian Lounge publisher partners 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Recorded Books invites you to meet actor and voiceover artist Barbara Rosenblat (Miss Rosa from Orange Is the New Black). Digital downloads of Orange Is the New Black and a digital sampler featuring Ms. Rosenblat will be available. 10:45–11:45 a.m.
The chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, Ahmed Al-Amiri, presents information about the Sharjah Book Authority, services and opportunities for publishers, and the Sharjah International Book Fair, sharing important information regarding the ALA-SIBF conference. noon–1 p.m.
NetGalley invites librarians to learn about the NetGalley digital review system and receive exclusive NetGalley downloadable titles from Librarian Lounge publisher partners. 1:15–2:15 p.m.
Ingram Sparks presents “Self-Publishing at Your Library.” 2:30–3:30 p.m.
The Librarian Lounge Passport Raffle takes place, and librarians can mix and mingle with members of PW’s editorial staff 3:45–5 p.m.