It's easy to see how the skills of librarians can be transferred to the bookselling environment. However, it can be a challenge for librarians to adjust to the nuances that are different in the retail environment. In both situations, memory is important, as customers ask for items in so many ways.
Libraries generally have better tools for searching the clues until the desired item is found.
Knowing how these tools work can also help the bookseller locate the item, an acceptable substitute, or identify it as unavailable using Books in Print . Using subject and keyword search techniques on the store's database or Books in Print is all the bookseller can do, but remembering to check different forms of entry and different spellings of names and words is often crucial to locating the item. Reference skills can also be extremely useful. Often, the bookstore sells reference tools such as almanacs, directories or subject reference books, which booksellers can consult. Knowing something about the book publishing and distribution systems in North America is useful for both booksellers and librarians.