The article is a “distance” exchange of views about collection development and management, in the light of the questioning of issues such as “purchasing policy”, “collection”, “cultural physiognomy” of libraries. A bookseller explains commercial and cultural outcomes of bureaucracy that increasingly directs and limits librarians’ action. A librarian reiterates the importance of dialogue between librarians and suppliers, highlighting the role of library cooperation in all fields and its outcomes on local communities. Lastly another librarian reflects on the public libraries’ role as cultural mediator in the era of social media and “influencers”. Libraries should become “influencers” themself in order to guide readers, especially potential ones, towards more aware and critical approaches to reading.