L’idéal de métier des libraires spécialisés en littérature jeunesse

Abstract

Abstract: This article mobilises a survey based on documentary analysis and interviews to explore the exchange conditions of youth-oriented editorial production using specialist booksellers’ professional identity as a focal point. It starts with the growth and legitimation of independent specialist retailers in a context defined by the resurgence of children’s literature, before moving on to examine how booksellers conceive of their work and envision their role vis-a-vis their books and customers. All in all the article is meant to nourish thinking about two sociological issues: the social conditions associated with cultural goods exchanges resulting from the rising number of subjectively engaged specialist independent retailers; and the construction of a professional ideal (plus the difficulties faced when trying to achieve it).

Keywords

• book market
• culture
• bookstore
• professional identit
• attitude towards work
• youth literature