Your business may be independent, but you are not alone. The American Booksellers Association has been working on behalf of its members, providing benefits and services, for more than 110 years. Now, in an effort to strengthen the ties between all independent bookstores, ABA has created a new member category for used bookstores.
BookWeb.org hosts a substantial online curriculum focusing on bookstore management & operations, finances, sales and marketing, and advocacy.
Materials include:
- Surviving Tough Times: Best Practices from Booksellers
- Sales Tax: Lobbying Congress
- Techniques & Tactics for Online Website Promotion
- Shop Local handouts
- The Budgeting & Monitoring Workbook
In addition, ABA’s education calendar offers members many opportunities to interact with fellow booksellers and industry professionals at various events throughout the year, including:
- Winter Institute, an annual conference for ABA members, which provides an extensive education program. This year, the Sixth Annual Winter Institute will feature sessions on E-Fairness/Sales Tax Advocacy, Localism, Buying and Merchandising Used Books, Creating Events, and Improving Efficiency.
- ABA Day of Education held in conjunction with BookExpo America
- Fall Regional Trade Shows
- Spring Forums
ABA members have access to a wide range of business services and products.
- IndieCommerce: An e-commerce tool developed especially for independent bookstores that includes a state-of-the-art search engine and a 3 million title database. IndieCommerce is optional; administrative fees apply.
- LIBRIS—ABA's business insurance program—now offers coverage for used bookstores, allowing ABA members to save significantly on casualty and property insurance.
- Discounted shipping with FedEx and UPS
- Discounted credit card processing through Bank of America
And many more!
For more information, or custom quotes, please visit our Products & Services page.
IndieBound is a socially-conscious movement created by ABA in support of independent businesses and shopping locally, starting with indie bookstores.
- The IndieBound Do-It-Yourself (DIY) feature is a cost-effective way for members to create and personalize marketing materials while emphasizing the Shop Local movement.
- IndieBound.org includes an interactive map for locating nearby independent bookstores, bestsellers, and other book recommendations; an iPhone app; and much more. IndieBound is about raising awareness, it’s about reaching out, and it’s about taking pride in your community.
In conjunction with the online education curriculum, ABA’s online bookseller-to-bookseller forums allow members to interact with one another, providing a gathering place to ask questions and exchange ideas.
For more information on membership, please contact ABA’s Member Relationship Managers:
Elizabeth Nichols, 800-637-0037, ext 6614 or elizabethn@bookweb.org
Kaitlin Pitcher, 800-637-0037, ext 6666 or kaitlin@bookweb.org