Rose FoxAndrew AlbaneseAs 2012 draws to its end, magazines and media proclaim the year’s winners and losers. Publishers Weekly gets the party started early next week with its announcement of book publishing’s “Person of the Year” for 2012. In the same issue, PW previews the upcoming Midwinter Meeting of the American Library Association.

“Overall, 2012 was a frustrating year for libraries and librarians – at least, that’s the perception, primarily because of the impasse with major publishers over e-book lending policies,” PW senior writer Andrew Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally. “However, it was actually a good year for libraries in other ways—namely in the courts, with a number of favorable decisions on fair use.”

In the weekly review of reviews, PW reviews editor Rose Fox takes note of Detroit: An American Autopsy from Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Charlie LeDuff. “Returning in 2008 after 20 years away, the former NY Times staff writer finds a city in its death throes,” Fox says. “He delivers an edgy portrait of the decline, destruction, and possible redemption of his hometown.”

Every Friday, CCC’s “Beyond the Book” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.

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