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ABA COO Len Vlahos presents "Techniques and Tactics for Online Website Promotion" at Left Bank Books.
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The American Booksellers Association kicked off its 2010 Spring Forum Tour last weekend in conjunction with the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance and the National Association of College Stores' Campus Market Expo (CAMEX) in Orlando, Florida. At the forum, led by ABA CEO Oren Teicher, booksellers shared their thoughts and concerns about e-books and how indies can participate moving forward, as well as ideas for alternative business models and new ways to find customers.
Follett Announces Online Textbook Rental for Independent Bookstores
This week, Follet Higher Education Group announced the launch of two new college textbook rental programs for independent bookstores: an online affiliate program and an in-store rental support program.
Follet said that the Online Affiliate Program is "a turnkey rental service," offering revenue share, an expansive list of titles, a branded online rental solution, and an option to serve as students' "return depot."
Early this week, Amazon.com created a firestorm when it announced it had fired all of its Colorado-based online affiliates to protest a state sales tax law. The law, HB10-1193, which was signed by Gov. Bill Ritter on February 24, requires out-of-state retailers to either collect and remit sales tax for purchases made by Colorado residents or to inform their Colorado customers that they owe use tax on any purchase they have made.
This week in California the e-fairness provision in the legislative budget was temporarily tabled when lawmakers decided to split the proposed budget into several distinct bills. However, the development did not derail sales tax equity efforts in the state. In Illinois, the Senate Revenue Committee is poised to vote on sales tax fairness legislation, following a hearing that is scheduled to include testimony from an ABA bookstore member. In Virginia, a proposed e-fairness budget amendment is expected to come up for a vote sometime next week.
Indie booksellers are invited to an ABA Booksellers Forum and Midwest Booksellers Association Spring Meeting on Sunday, March 21, in St. Louis, Missouri. The ABA forum and a popular Winter Institute education session will be part of a full day of programming that includes MBA's education component, two Rep Picks sessions, lunch with a guest author, and an Author Reception.
The calls for e-fairness continue to grow throughout the country. Over the past two weeks, Oklahoma and Vermont introduced e-fairness legislation, and it's expected that similar legislation will soon be introduced in Maryland. On Wednesday, proponents of e-fairness legislation in Virginia earned an initial victory when the Senate Finance Committee approved Senate Bill 660, sending it to the Senate floor for a debate and vote. The bill would level the playing field and make sure that out-of-state online retailers collect sales tax for sales to Virginia residents.
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About ABA
The American Booksellers Association, a national not-for-profit trade organization, works with booksellers and industry partners to ensure the success and profitability of independently owned book retailers, and to assist in expanding the community of the book.
Independent bookstores act as community anchors; they serve a unique role in promoting the open exchange of ideas, enriching the cultural life of communities, and creating economically vibrant neighborhoods.
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