About ABA

On Tuesday, September 24, the Board of Directors of the American Booksellers Association sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate, urging them to avert a government shutdown.

A special promotion offers ABA membership to used bookstores for just $100, half the annual price of used bookstore membership, if stores sign up before December 31, 2013.

ABA has teamed up with Biblio.com to offer a new affiliate program that enables member stores to give their website visitors instant access to millions of used, rare, and out-of-print books from more than 5,000 independent booksellers worldwide.

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Over the course of the next month, all active member stores will receive a phone call from a representative of ABA who will be asking the store owner or manager to answer a series of questions aimed at gathering current information about key contacts for a variety of member programs and initiatives.

This month closes with the SCIBA and NAIBA trade shows, where ABA and the Small Business Majority will present the education session “Health Care Reform and the Bookstore: How It Affects You Now.” This session will provide booksellers with detailed and actionable information about the Affordable Care Act, specifically tailored to states in the region.

The search is underway for qualified candidates to serve on the ABA Board of Directors. Any ABA member may submit nominations for Board directors to the Nominating Committee, chaired by Valerie Koehler of Blue Willow Bookshop.

In his bimonthly letter, ABA President Steve Bercu discusses recent industry happenings, invites booksellers to take advantage of the association’s programming on the Affordable Care Act at the regional shows, and more.

ABA will be presenting its second Children’s Institute, hosted by the ABC Children’s Group at ABA, on Monday, April 7, 2014, in San Antonio, Texas. Participants will be welcomed at an opening reception on Sunday evening, April 6.

Over the next few months, ABA will be rolling out a totally redesigned member database. In the coming weeks, the association will be reaching out to member stores via telephone to confirm that their data on file is correct and up to date.

This fall, bookstores that haven’t been members of ABA for the past two years can sign up online or at the regional shows for a free trial membership that will last until January 31, 2014. Trial membership provides an array of benefits, including access to world-class education and networking events.

SIBA trade show attendees are invited to join ABA staff for a special education session on the Affordable Care Act and what it means for bookstore owners and their employees. At the ABA booth, booksellers will have the opportunity to discuss their concerns with staff and to learn about member services, new initiatives, upcoming educational events, and more.

ABA members are invited to submit the names of qualified candidates to serve on the Board of Directors to the Nominating Committee, chaired by Valerie Koehler of Blue Willow Bookshop.

The Nominating Committee, chaired by Valerie Koehler of Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston, Texas, begins its search today for qualified candidates to serve on the ABA Board of Directors. Any ABA member may submit nominations for Board directors.

ABA members are eligible for discounted individual and/or company-wide insurance benefit packages through Asset MarketPlace, an independent insurance wholesaler with a wide selection of policies.