ABFFE Seeks Silent Auction Donations

The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), the bookseller's voice in the fight against censorship, is urging publishers, booksellers, and others in the book industry to support the fight for free expression by contributing to the ABFFE Silent Auction, which will be held during BookExpo America in New York in June.

Every year, ABFFE auctions books, book sidelines and services, tickets for concerts and sporting events, and much more. Publishers contribute most items, but many booksellers contribute autographed books, book-related art, and more. "The success of the silent auction -- which is ABFFE's most important fundraiser -- depends on our friends in the publishing and bookselling community," said ABFFE President Chris Finan.

Participating in the silent auction is also one of the best-kept secrets for getting noticed at BookExpo, Finan added. ABFFE provides each donor with a section of the silent auction display to promote their products and urge booksellers to visit their booth. Donors are thanked on a sign that is prominently placed in the ABFFE booth. Contributors can also promote themselves to booksellers who can't make it to the show by participating in the online auction that is conducted on the ABFFE website at www.abffe.com. The online auction starts a few days before BookExpo and continues for two weeks.

To participate in the silent auction, donors must submit a contribution form by May 6. Once the auction is over, ABFFE will contact contributors and ask them to ship their donations directly to the winners. To obtain a contribution form, contact ABFFE Auction Manager Caitlin Delohery at [email protected] or (212) 587-4025. The form is also available online.

ABFFE is one of the leaders in the fight to restore the safeguards for bookstore and library privacy that were eliminated by the USA Patriot Act. It opposes legislation at the state and federal levels that restricts the First Amendment rights of booksellers and their customers; challenges unconstitutional laws in court, and files friend of the court briefs in every important First Amendment case involving books. ABFFE is a sponsor of Banned Books Week, the only national celebration of the freedom to read, and operates KidSpeakOnline.org, a website to educate kids about the importance of free speech.