Industry News

With the debate over the USA Patriot Act conference report to intensify in the next couple of weeks, the sponsors of the Campaign for Reader Privacy (CRP) -- the American Booksellers Association, the American Library Association, the Association of American Publishers, and PEN American Center -- are asking their constituents to thank the senators who supported a temporary extension of the act to allow time to ensure that the final bill protects readers' rights to privacy.

As part of a strong movement to revitalize downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, an independent bookstore and cafe opened on December 10 in the former Steketee's department store. River Bank Books & Music, owned by Debra Lambers of the Book Nook & Java Shop in Montague, Michigan, occupies about 10,000 of the 100,000 square feet of space in the eight-story landmark building, completed in 1917.

Registration is open for Paz & Associates' full-week intensive workshop for new and prospective booksellers to be held from Monday, March 13, to Friday, March 17, on Amelia Island, near Jacksonville, Florida.

It didn't take long for the Renton, Washington's Wizards of the Coast to make its mark in the gaming and role-playing business. In 1990, Peter Adkison and six friends founded the company in Adkison's basement. Within three years, with the release of the first trading card game, Magic: The Gathering, Wizards of the Coast had created an entirely new genre of games.

Katharine Thalberg, owner of Explore Booksellers in Aspen, Colorado, wife of former Aspen Mayor Bill Stirling, and daughter of Hollywood's Irving Thalberg and Norma Shearer, died on January 6. She was 70 years old.

Thalberg and her three daughters from a previous marriage moved to Aspen in 1973. In 1975, she opened Explore Booksellers. Through the years, the Main Street store, located in a Victorian-era house, became one of the town's best-loved and well-known businesses. She later opened Explore Bistro, Aspen's first vegan restaurant, above the store.

 Here's a reminder about ABA/Book Sense programs and events. This list may also be downloaded in PDF format.

This week, the American Booksellers Association announced a new partnership with Above the Treeline, LLC, which provides an online software product designed to help bookstores improve finances by optimizing inventory selection.

The American Booksellers Association has announced a schedule of 13 Booksellers Forums over the course of three months, beginning in mid-February. Each will bring ABA staff and representatives of its Board of Directors together with membership across the country.

The Bookseller Relief Fund (BRF) recently distributed $80,000 to Gulf Coast booksellers most severely affected by Hurricane Katrina. The disbursement was the second phase of a plan created by the Bookseller Relief Fund Board to provide humanitarian assistance to those most in need.

Holiday sales this season were up compared to the previous year according to most of the independent booksellers who recently spoke to Bookselling This Week. While a few reported that sales were sluggish or flat in comparison to holiday sales in 2004, most saw moderate to significant increases. In addition, many booksellers noted that Book Sense gift card sales were up.

Booksellers -- both the owners and staff of ABA member stores -- who would like to attend the American Booksellers Association's Winter Institute on January 26 and 27 in Long, Beach, California, can still register for the free event. However, booksellers who require hotel accommodations at the Long Beach Hilton, the event's host hotel, should note that effective this Monday, January 9, the reduced room rate offer for Institute participants will expire.

Back-up Plans Being Made