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Advocacy
Defending free expression. Working to create a level playing field for all booksellers. Helping the voices of small business owners to be heard in Washington. Advocacy issues such as these are central to the mission of the American Booksellers Association.
ABA firmly believes it is the responsibility of state leaders to uniformly and fairly enforce sales tax laws by requiring all retailers—whether they operate online, in bricks-and-mortar stores, or a combination of both—to fulfill their obligation to collect sales tax.
Booksellers have reached a critical moment in the long fight to restore the safeguards for reader privacy that were eliminated by the USA Patriot Act. The ABA Board is urging member bookstores to contact their members of Congress to support legislation providing additional protection for the privacy of bookstore and library records.
A vote on Patriot Act legislation is expected at any time, for Congress must act by the end of May. Booksellers can help win this critical fight, but it’s important to act now.
A vote on Patriot Act legislation is expected at any time, for Congress must act by the end of May. Booksellers can help win this critical fight, but it’s important to act now.
Under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, qualifying small businesses can receive a tax credit so that the cost of covering employee heath care is more affordable. In general, the credit is available to small employers that pay at least half the cost of single coverage for their employees in 2010.
Here's more information about the tax credit and some very useful links to more information.
The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is the bookseller's voice in the fight against censorship. Founded by ABA in 1990, ABFFE’s mission is to promote and protect the free exchange of ideas. - Bookselling This Week: Stay abreast of breaking news about Free Expression issues.
- "The Freadom List": Titles for children and adults that have been most frequently challenged or banned.
- Reader Privacy: ABA is an active participant in the Campaign for Reader Privacy (CRP), which is working to restore the safeguards for reader privacy that were eliminated by the USA Patriot Act.
Government & Small Business
ABA is fostering meaningful dialogue between our members and representatives in Washington, demonstrating to publishers the value of the independent market, and ensuring that independent booksellers have a say in the development of technological standards. - Publishers' Obligations to Book Retailers Under Federal Antitrust Discrimination Law: The fundamentals of the Robinson-Patman Act as it pertains to booksellers.
From studies that demonstrate the economic impact of independent retailers, to the powerful message of the IndieBound movement and networking with like-minded organizations, ABA is working to strengthen awareness about the crucial role independent retailers play in local economies and communities.
The Bookseller Relief Fund was established by ABA in September 2005 to help meet the humanitarian needs of booksellers affected by disasters.