Good news from Bologna

The annual Bologna Book Fair draws a host of publishers of childen's books from around the world and a fair number of librarians. American librarians, however, pay less attention to the international children's book market than do their counterparts in other countries. Every year Publisher's Weekly and School Library Journal cover events at Bologna, so their is no excuse for American librarians to continue ignoring the international publishing outlook. The report in PW about the fair this year contains mostly good news.People are upbeat; sales are rising; and their is hope that the worldwide depression is gradually lifting. Now is a good time for American libraries to take seriously the global links that will enable our children to share the varied outlooks of artists and authors from all over the world. The publishing industry in Eastern Europe is vigorous and growing. Russian publishing is booming. Although few African countries were represented at the fair and most of the Arab countries were missing, reprentatives from Europe, Australia, and Korea were much in evidence. Many librarians have a difficult time keeping up with American publications and are reluctant to pay attention to other countries, but authors and illustrators from other lands have much to offer to American children. Our patrons of today will be living in an ever more global world as they grow up, so we ought to make a point of looking for the best materials from around the world and offering them on our shelves. Who knows how many kids imaginations and dreams will be stirred by reading about the lives and dreams of children far from them? We owe it to our children to help them look outward and scan distant horizons.