A Quick Reference Fix for Publishers
As we were trying to find hard data on the subject of reading groups recently, we realized once again how little useful, accurate, or relevant information there is on book publishing. So we asked a few people who are in the knowledge business — reference librarians, consultants, packagers, etc. — and came up with a short list (not to be confused with an exhaustive compilation). The next time someone asks you to estimate the market share of “x” or the number of people who read “y,” check these out:
The Book Industry Study Group’s website provides useful links to resources, including sites and publications about publishing and related media fields. Click the “Industry Resources” link on the organization’s home page (www.bisg.org). BISG members receive the annual Book Industry Trends, with the most recent statistics, analysis, and forecasts of book sales. The 1999 Consumer Research Study on Book Purchasing, which looks at book buying by market, subject category, and consumer motivation, is also available free to corporate members.
The Annual Library and Book Trade Almanac 2000 reports book industry statistics, including title output and price arranged by 23 subject categories, with the number of new titles and new editions produced in the past three years. Library statistics include the number and types of libraries in the United States and Canada, book budgets for all libraries in a state, and separate budgets for public, academic, and special libraries. The volume lists organizations, individuals, and conference dates. The almanac is available for $185 through Bowker.
The Library of Congress (www.loc.gov) hosts a compilation of book-related resources under the Center for the Book (http://lcweb.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/). There is also a Researchers’ information number, for quick questions: 202 707-6500.
The New York Public Library (www.nypl.org) offers several types of research assistance. You can email Grdref@nypl.org with questions, or call 212 340-0849 from 10 am – 3 pm for answers on questions of grammar, spelling, or for quick fact checking. NYPL has another service, NYPL Express (www.nypl.org/express), where six librarians will do research for a fee of $75/hour, and $15 per item for document delivery (or 25¢ per page for print-outs). Nancy Krumholtz, the director of NYPL Express, says most of the service’s clients are businesses — lawyers, Wall Street firms, consultants, and the media. In the last year they have fielded queries from all 50 states and 37 countries. Email them at express@nypl.org, or call 212 592-7200.
The Hanson Guide to Publishers lists 20,000 US and Canadian publishers, including smaller ones not mentioned in LMP. It offers information on their principal markets, discount structures, etc., and comes with an interactive CD-ROM. One of the most useful features is an index of publishers’ imprints. The cost is $310. The Hanson site (http://www.hansonpublications.com, now defunct) has 50 directories on a variety of businesses worldwide.
Besides publishing Book Publishing Report, Simba publishes Trade Book Publishing 2000, which breaks down sales by publisher (mostly the majors), 15 subject categories, and distribution channels. It is heavily weighted toward traditional retail outlets. The price is a hefty $1495.
