A Letter to CrÃticas Readers from Editor AÃda Bardales
Aida Bardales -- Library Journal, 02/03/2009
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As most of you may know already, Reed Business Information decided to cease publication of Críticas after eight years. Unfortunately, this means my time with the company has come to an end.
The publisher, Ron Shank, cited decreased ad support as the reason for this decision, and said that plans are underway to continue coverage of the U.S. Spanish-language book market through sister publications Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.
Many of you have written to me, as well as to the senior staff at LJ and SLJ, to express your disappointment that Críticas is closing. You told me that you rely completely on this publication to make your collection development selections, learn of ways to better serve the Spanish-speaking public, and stay abreast of what is happening in the library and publishing worlds.
I was deeply moved by your responses, but I was not surprised. During my time as editor of Críticas, I met scores of U.S. librarians who shared their experiences with me and told me that it was the only professional tool they could use to do their job and do it well. No other publication exists to serve this purpose.
The closing of Críticas leaves a huge void in the market. Perhaps now publishers and book distributors will realize how influential the magazine is in book buyers’ selections and will join with LJ and SLJ as they move toward an alternate way of serving the market and providing reviews.
I thank you all for your encouragement, trust, and support during my time here. A special, heartfelt thank you to our reviewers, who worked hard to help their librarian colleagues stay informed of the latest titles and make appropriate selections for their collections.
I walk away with much satisfaction in my efforts and achievements here, as well as with wonderful friendships. I trust our paths will cross in the near future as we continue to help grow and solidify the U.S. Spanish-language book market.
If you wish to contact me directly, please do so at aida.bardales@gmail.com. And expect to hear from Francine Fialkoff (LJ editor-in-chief; fialkoff@reedbusiness.com) and Brian Kenney (SLJ editor-in-chief and editorial director, Reed Publishing Group; bkenney@reedbuisness.com) as plans solidify.
Un fuerte abrazo,
Aída
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