Focus on BOOKS IN PRINT Emerging into a new global information market

1. Focus onBOOKS IN PRINTEmerging into a new global information market Ingo-Eric M. Schmidt-Braul Chief Executive IBA •International Media & Book Agency, Berlin Estonian Publication 2004, Tallinn, 14 May 2004

2. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to have a record of all the books published and available in Estonia, and this for a worldwide audience, The Estonian Books in Print ?

3. What are Books in Print catalogues/ databases all about? Can’t we do with National Bibliographies, Union Catalogues, etc, alone? Catalogues has become a synonym for various modes to search for books mainly in database format.

4. National Bibliographies Bibliographic reference tools providing complete record of publications of a nation based on legal deposit copies with the aim of full coverage of the printed cultural heritage. National Bibliographies are: • Information tools mainly used by librarians, • Primarily used in non-commercial environments, • Not widely distributed and mostly not used in the book trade, general retail trade with books.

5. Books in Print Catalogues/ databases listing titles reported as available by participating publishers Mainly used: • as information tools for commercial reasons by publishers, wholesale and retail trade; • securing efficient supply of information, e.g. for library acquisition;

6. … Books in Print Mainly used, as: • Supplementary to National Bibliographies, because • description includes retail price information, • information is more frequently updated, • (generally) earlier bibliographic registration, • titles are included for their whole life cycle, • online versions provide additional information like summaries, covers displays etc.

7. Search for information on authors and their published titles

9. Search for publishers and their available output

10. Search results on • Contact information • Publishing output

11. Information is flooding us with publications and documents hardly anybody reads or recognises. (Koppitz 1977) • Librarians and booksellers, both are navigators and information brokers for conventional and digital media; • Growing information flow and increasing output of titles every year; • Comprehensive catalogues are indispensable working tools to handle information; • Needs and requests of users becoming more diversified and demanding aiming increasingly at specialized information.

12. Publishing output in Estonia

13. Estonian publishing: From high runs to title diversity Run length of new output in 2003 reached only 23 percent of the runs in 1991, yet the output of titles has more than doubled. Who knows which titles are still available? which titles are out of print?

14. Role and function of BIP • Contribute to better market performance through effective title information; • Serve the diverse needs of the different sectors of the book community; • bridge the information gap between books displayed in stores and those available in warehouses, and new andforthcoming titles; • open small and limited markets for global access. Information professionals definitely want BIP, preferably as online database!

15. Title entries • Increasing demand for comprehensive, current and regularly updated information; • Data are only helpful if they are reliable; • Standard criteria for BIP and bibliographies – both print and digital, • Author, ISBN/ ISSN, keyword, publisher, subject • Decimal Classification, title, series titles, • language, price, year and place of publication, etc.

16. Search criteria displayed

17. Entry of search criteria

18. Search result for BIP subscribers: Title entry

19. Search result for general users: Title entry without trade information details

20. National bibliographic record: Short title entry

21. Use of BIP: Book trade/ general trade book departments: Hardly ever the full current publishing output stocked –BIP allow efficient search, retrieval and ordering of titles not in stock. Publishers: • Contribute to sales performance by providing evidence of availability; no publisher distributes the whole print run of a new title immediately after publication; • information which title/ publishing list is supplied by which distributor; • provide information on competing titles in the market which are available.

22. … Use of BIP • Librarians • Information tool in addition to national bibliographies and library catalogues, especially for acquisition; • information on retail prices, volume, revisions, etc.,more current as based on publishers’ input. End Users • confirmation that titles not stocked at book stores are available and can be supplied; • electronic ordering/ personal collecting and e-commerce/ mail delivery for fast delivery; • search of special interest titles in Estonian translation.

23. Value of Books in Print Recognition of their usefulness and reliability requires • all books included are in the market or truly under preparation; • all titles listed can really be supplied from the publisher directly or though a wholesaler/ distributor; • correct and up to date information on titles, contact details of publishers, wholesalers etc. • Books in Print nationally and internationally contribute to • lean trade relations and equal opportunities in the trade chain; • better market participation; • improved economic performance;

24. Framework conditions Three working steps for development and implementation •  Common interests of stakeholders on needs, demands, and format defined,  awareness strategy to convince professionals implemented,  workflow prepared, costs estimated and finances secured; 2. Project with timeline and milestones developed, staff committed and trained, comparable catalogues evaluated, Estonian model with multifunctional, bilingual database finalized; 3. Performance specification for database, design and programming, collection and compilation of entries, launch of final product as online database

25. Format for Estonian BIPc Core product: • Bilingual online database with multiple entry search function, • user friendly print and download opportunities for single entries and lists. Spin off: • Offline database on CD Rom with regular updates and subscription rights to use online version. Spin off: No printed version in book format because of limits regarding further information and unjustified costs!

26. Books in Print in Baltic Republics Outcome of the Council of Europe’s feasibility study for support of Books in Print development in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania: Estonia:  Supporting role for book distribution unquestioned, economic conditions not yet solved nor inter-sectorial consortium created; Latvia: Launched in 1998 by Booksellers’ Association, no bilingual approach, only English language introduction; Lithuania: Launched in 1999 by National Library translating the drafted hybrid model of the study closely into electronic format with conventional look and feel; accessible via the NL home page.

27. Latvian database on available books

32. Book chain approach For creating BIP partnership approach of book sector stakeholders with one lead partner is condition for  professional competence and contribution, inter-sectorial co-operation and comprehensive up to date records, successful market launch and further sustainable development. Sources of information to be considered • National ISBN records, • Publishers’ lists on stocked, and new and forthcoming titles, • Wholesalers’/ distributors’ stock lists, • National Bibliographies.

33. Global requests – BIP supplies Globalisation and digitisation support the integration of national information into world wide availability: • Online Books in Print databases and National Bibliographies are gateways for world wide requests. • Global online access backed by electronic order processing and e-commerce makes each title available independent of time and place. As member of WTO, Estonia supports the free flow of goods including books and IPR, BIP provide the information and create the links between providers and publishers.

34. Summary • Competition and market shares are secured by access to markets and to output, and to up to date information; • Increasing demand for efficient and comprehensiveinformation tools has become major issue;  • The book chain formed by publishers, librarians and booksellers is strengthened by Books in Print as their common information tool; • Only a strong distribution chain with publishers and booksellers backs market and economic success – and cultural diversity. Market success independent of size and volume depends on information – through Books in Print.

35. Use the opportunity and start now with your online Books in Print database! Q & A iem.schmidt-braul@iba-berlin.de