What do publishers do?

The flurry of new books that have been challenged for accuracy, or even basic truth, has caused a stir in publishing circles. As this N.Y. Times articles explains, the latest scandal over the withdrawal of Last Train from Hiroshima only causes a gentle sigh among most booksellers and librarians. We have been inundated by fake memoirs and "creative non-fiction" that sometimes has been pure fiction. Children's books have so far escaped the furor that rocks the adult publishing world. Is this because editors in children's publishing houses are more careful about checking the facts? Certainly they have set up strict rules for authors about having experts review works, supplying documentation for statements of fact, and checking many details. Librarians are at the forefront in trying to keep books credible. We need to complain when small inaccuracies creep into the books we offer children. So far it looks as though we're doing a good job, but with all the cutbacks in both libraries and publishing houses, it's important to keep our guard up. Eternal vigilance is the price of accuracy.