A patron came into my office yesterday - the door is almost always open - to compliment me on the wide range of books on varied topics that we have here - always surprising to her, she explained, because we are such a small library.  She commented that all the titles she ever wants are here, if not on the shelf, then out with another patron and available for placement of a hold.  Her question was, "How on earth do you choose???"  I started to tell her that I read a lot of professional reviews - Library Journal, Kirkus, ForeWord, etc..  But the minute it came out of my mouth, I knew that wasn't quite right, not even close to it.  I do read a myriad of reviews - constantly - and not just the professional reviews either.  Patrons don't generally see Library Journal or Kirkus.  They see hot picks in Newsweek, The Week, The New York Times, People, the local paper.  They hear authors on The Today Show, Oprah and NPR.  And, yes, I read and listen to those as well.  Sometimes those sources are better than the professional journals at predicting the bestsellers and those books that will generate public acclaim.  My teenagers, avid readers, love to hang out at Borders or Horizon, our local independent bookseller.  Those two places are their favorite haunts to do homework - mochachinno in hand.  Their friends drop in, too, doing homework, sipping and chatting.  I browse the shelves, jotting down titles of interest, often drawn in, I admit, by the artwork on the covers.  The staff at those stores  know me by name.  I must look like like I belong there among the shelves.  Customers will ask for recommendations or help in finding titles.  I oblige, never letting on that I do not work there.  Patrons often recommend books.  I listen - always.  We are a small enough library that usually those titles are ordered as well - we aim to please.  So, how do I choose books???  There is no one method.  I read, I look, I listen.   I cannot say that there is a science to the way I do it or that I really know exactlly what  am doing.  Ultimately, however, my patrons are very happy.  That is all that matters in the end.