About ABA

As BTW reported in June, American Booksellers Association staff members are taking to the road this summer for a series of IndieBound information sessions, where they'll answer questions, share ideas, and help booksellers position their stores to take full advantage of the many opportunities that this exciting

Preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census reflect an increase in bookstore sales in May 2008 of 2.6 percent, compared to May 2007. May 2008 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,154 million, compared to sales of $1,125 million for the same period last year.

The Census Bureau also adjusted its preliminary estimates of April 2008 bookstore sales upward to $1,002 million, putting them at 8.2 percent above April 2007.

Last week, the American Booksellers Association continued its environmental efforts on behalf of member booksellers by participating in the Book Industry Environmental Council's first meeting.

Crooks don't take the summer off, so bookstore owners and managers hiring seasonal help will do well to remind newcomers as well as experienced booksellers to be vigilant about scams and fraudulent orders.

To help booksellers in their efforts to thwart would-be thieves, here's a brief rundown of some frauds and schemes reported in the past by ABA members:

The American Booksellers Association Board of Directors and senior staff met at the 2008 Hotel ABA, the Renaissance Hollywood, on Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28, prior to the start of BookExpo America.

Over the course of the two days, the Board and staff:

Gayle Shanks ABA President

Dear Fellow Booksellers,

With the launch of IndieBound, the Book Sense Gift Card program has become the ABA Gift Card program. Although the websites of the card program administrator, Givex, look different, the functionality has not changed. There is a new URL for the card reorder site, www.jettdirect.com/aba/, and booksellers accessing the old site, booksenseorders.givex.com, will be automatically redirected.

The American Booksellers Association held its annual Town Hall, followed by the ABA Membership Meeting, on Friday afternoon, May 30, at BookExpo America. The informal Town Hall, moderated by outgoing ABA President Russ Lawrence of Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton, Montana, and incoming President Gayle Shanks of Tempe, Arizona's Changing Hands, was dominated by discussions of IndieBound, as well as ABA's e-fairness efforts.

The uniqueness of American Booksellers Association member stores is reflected in April's openings, which include La Casa Azul Bookstore, an online seller of new and used books in English and Spanish, with plans to open a future storefront location; Idlewild Books, which features literature, guide books, books about politics and culture, and so on, all arranged by country; and Retro Cinema & Books, offering books, movies, and vintage wines.

Here's the complete list of April ABA member openings:

The results of balloting by the bookstore members of the American Booksellers Association to elect three Board directors and a new president and vice president are now official.

This week, HarperCollins Publishers announced plans to introduce an interactive, online sales catalog that would offer up-to-date title information, including jackets, add-ons, and author interviews, while reducing the publishers' paper output and overall carbon footprint. HarperCollins will preview the catalog at BookExpo America and expects to launch a beta version in six to 12 months.

The American Booksellers Association Town Hall and Annual Membership meetings will be held on Friday, May 30, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in conjunction with BookExpo America.

Ingram Book Group and Ingram Publisher Services to Underwrite Bookseller Education

The American Booksellers Association announced today the formation of a new strategic partnership with Ingram Book Company and Ingram Publisher Services to underwrite bookseller education for the next three years. The new partnership will begin with ABA's Day of Education being held in Hollywood, California, on Thursday, May 29, in conjunction with BookExpo America.

The American Booksellers Association is ramping up its efforts to be ecologically responsible at next month's BookExpo America in Los Angeles. This week, as worldwide celebrations of Earth Day brought added focus to the need for individuals and businesses to lessen their impact on the environment, ABA announced changes that will reduce the carbon footprint of its participation in BEA.