Sign up for a Banned Books Week kit! Today is the last day to snag your kit for the September celebration!

Sign up by June 15 to take advantage of special publisher promotions for ABA’s Summer/Fall 2021 Indies Introduce titles.

Take a look at what stores have planned for Juneteenth, a nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. If you have something planned for Juneteenth this year, let ABA know.

Thinking about offering exclusive content to your customers? Read a recap of yesterday’s Technology Meetup on Patreon, which took a look at four bookstores using the service to offer benefits at different price points. 

Learn about ABACUS on Tuesday, June 15, at 3:00 p.m. ET! It's not too late to participate in this year's free ABACUS financial survey and receive an amazing set of reports and tools. Having trouble figuring out where to access information or finding the time to report? Join ABA CFO (and former bookseller) PK Sindwani for a special ABACUS webinar to help you jump start your submission and answer any questions that may be slowing you down. Watch your inbox on Tuesday for the meeting link. If you do not receive the email invitation (and cannot find it in your spam folder), email [email protected].

Join ABA’s free education session on “Consigning Books and Other Products to Local Retailers” on Thursday, June 17, at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Is your store holding any special events for Pride? Let ABA know! Celebrations will be featured in a BTW roundup at the end of the month.

Share your news with ABA! Email [email protected] with photos and details about what’s new or upcoming at your store, whether you’re opening for business, moving to a new location, changing ownership, or celebrating a milestone anniversary.

On Monday, June 21, at 6:00 p.m. ET, booksellers and bookstore owners who identify as a member of the Disability community are invited to gather for connection, support, community, resources, and networking. The term disability includes but is not limited to physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, chronic conditions, and mental illnesses.

Booksellers interested in attending should use the sign-up form at the bottom of the ABA Meetups page to join the Disability Community Meetups mailing list. To ensure that this space belongs to the attendees, ABA staff will not be in attendance and another attendee will act as the host. This meetup is for people who identify or think they may identify as a person with a disability. Allies are asked not to attend.

Thinking about what non-book items to stock in your store? The Toy Book has reported a 27 percent increase in total U.S. toy sales during the first four months of 2021.

U.S. Books Industry Analyst Kristen McLean will offer a webinar on Understanding Trends in the U.S. Kids’ Book and Licensing Market on June 23 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

New Voices New Rooms, the collaborative partnership between NAIBA and SIBA, is launching The Vindies, which recognizes the spirit and creativity of independent bookstore videos. Eligible videos must have been created by a SIBA or NAIBA member bookstore and must have been publicly exhibited between January 2020 and June 1, 2021. Indie bookstores and fans of indies alike are welcome to nominate.

The New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program is now open for applications. The program will provide flexible grants to currently viable small businesses and micro-businesses in New York that have experienced economic hardship due to the pandemic. Grants are calculated based on annual gross receipts for 2019 and are capped at $50,000. View eligibility requirements and begin your application.