School libraries often work with wholesalers, independent bookstores, and major chains to stock their shelves for students. Publishers’ marketing and sales initiatives can play a huge role in getting the latest and greatest books into young readers’ hands.

Join us for a panel discussion featuring some of the Twin Cities’ most prominent book buyers as they discuss ways authors and publishers alike can effectively work with independent bookstores and educators to get books into readers’ hands.

• What marketing pieces are most effective from publishers
• How indie bookstores work as liaisons between publishers and educators
• How books are used in classrooms and what tools publishers can provide to get children and young adults excited about reading
• Major trends with young readers

Presenters

Gary Mazzone is the Outreach & Sales Director at Magers & Quinn Booksellers. In this position, he builds and creates partnerships, and helps organizations with their bulk purchases of books. Before starting at Magers & Quinn, he worked at Borders Books as the District Event & Sales Manager for seven and a half years. With both of these careers, he has been surrounded by many creative pieces of work and uses his creative talents to connect books to others.

Carrie Zelin Johnson, M.Ed., is the Director of Early Education for Way to Grow. She has 20 years of experience through parenthood, skills therapy, home visiting, as well as volunteer and consultant work. She considers herself to be a strong advocate for issues regarding school readiness, special needs, and family and community engagement. For the last 13 years, she has dedicated her career to relationship-based interventions and professional development through training and coaching with an emphasis on language, literacy, creativity, and the arts.

Ashley Leary decided to be a teacher when she was in fourth grade and never changed her mind! She is starting her seventh year at Partnership Academy and is currently the school’s academic coordinator and a master teacher. Prior to joining the administration team, Mrs. Leary taught both sixth grade and third grade. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in education from Hamline University. She also completed her ESL certificate from Hamline.

Belle Nelson is currently the Media Director at Thomas Jefferson High School in Bloomington, Minnesota. Previously a University Instruction & Information Literacy Librarian, Belle is in her seventh year as a librarian. She loves all libraries — public, academic, school. But there is a special place in her heart for people who haven’t given up spinning on their office chairs. She finds the majority of those in the World of K-12. Belle also serves as adjunct faculty in the Normandale Community College Library, where she works at reference, instruction, and collection development.