Linda Goodman, CEO of Bilingual Publications, Inc. is a regular at LIBER. Her primary focus there is on the librarians who serve the Spanish-speaking in public libraries in the U.S. Linda provides major support for them there. She created a system that enables them to move quickly from one publisher to the next, without spending valuable time taking notes. Also, Bilingual Publications issues an annual Guide to the Exhibits, showing publishers, location, and notes on what to look for at each stand. Using her Guide, librarians can determine whom to visit, well in advance of the Fair’s opening day.

ARS: This year, you have taken on another challenge. You are planning a major display at the Cervantes Institute in New York. There, you will showcase the most popular books you and your clients located at LIBER. Could you tell us about your motivation for taking this giant step?

Linda: Yes, of course. To answer your question, I have to take you back to LIBER 2012. Until then, LIBER was inviting an average of 50 U.S. librarians (30 from public libraries) per year to attend its annual Fair. This year, due to Spain’s economic situation, the number is 30 (16 from public libraries). With such drop in attendance, I knew I had to take action.

In fact, since 1999, when U.S. librarians were first invited to LIBER, I had become accustomed to working madly at the Fair, shipping and billing great quantities of books in the early spring, and noticing a marked increase in my sales figures. LIBER had become an integral part of my marketing strategy.

The thought of few public libraries being represented became quite real, and a little terrifying to me, starting in July. By then, Spain had determined it could no longer sponsor as many librarians as usual, due dwindling budgets.

So, I knew I had to do something to compensate for the smaller numbers and surely, lower sales figures. The question was, what?

ARS: So, you had other ideas before settling on the Cervantes plan?

Linda: Yes, I did. One was to take the new books on tour with me throughout the United States. But that became impractical, since we are talking about hundred of books and a country that is 3,000 miles wide, coast to coast!

ARS: So when did you come up with the present concept?

Linda: Early in July, the head librarian of the Cervantes Institute came to my office to make book selections for the Library. By then, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do.

So after we spent time with the books, I approached her about my plan, and my interest in requesting time and space at the Cervantes. She was intrigued, and said she would discuss it with the Director, which she immediately did. He needed little time to give it his OK! And that is the story of how this event began taking shape.

ARS: Are you expecting a large crowd?

Linda: It’s too early to tell. Many of the librarians in the immediate vicinity of New York have already confirmed. But may I tell you something? Whether or not a large crowd comes is not the issue. What’s important to me is that so many people now have the opportunity to come and see what we truly admired at LIBER. And… here’s the workaholic in me coming out again … if they can’t come in person, there will be a detailed list of what is on display. This list will be available to the librarians who participate as well as all librarians across the country who cannot make it in October.

ARS: Thank you for sharing this with us, Linda. And good luck at LIBER and as you prepare for “the Cervantes.”

Linda: Thank you for inviting me to chat with you. I hope you and your colleagues will think about coming up for the event!