BTW Articles

According to recently released figures on adult trade books from market information provider Ipsos-NPD, independent bookstores in 2001 maintained market share, and accounted for 14.8 percent of the adult trade market, as measured by unit sales. This is the third year in a row that independents have maintained an approximate 15 percent market share. These sales were achieved even as the total number of independent bookseller members in ABA declined by approximately 20 percent in 2001.

Mavis Gallant

On April 17, the annual $30,000 Rea Award for the Short Story was awarded to Mavis Gallant. The Rea Award is the only award in the U.S.

On April 19, in the case of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) v. Dean, U.S. District Judge J. Gavan Murtha enjoined a Vermont statute criminalizing any material posted on Web sites considered to be "harmful to minors." The complaint challenging the law was first filed on February 7, 2001, by a diverse array of individuals, businesses, and civil rights groups. The plaintiffs had claimed that the law violated constitutionally protected free speech rights and the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Booksellers around the country have more reasons than ever to sign on to the 2002 Prescription for Reading marketing program. This year, Prescription for Reading is sponsored by a partnership of ABA, Book Sense, Chronicle Books, Baker & Taylor, and the Pizza Hut® BOOK IT!® Program. All of these partners have a strong interest in improving literacy and the general well-being of children.