E-Books and Literacy at Next Week’s NCIBA & PNBA Shows

American Booksellers Association staff will be at next week’s Northern California Independent Booksellers Association and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association trade shows to present the education sessions “eBooks and Independent Bookstores,” in-depth introduction to the Kobo eReading platform available to all ABA member stores, and “Meeting the Literacy Needs of Your Community,” an examination of the role of children’s booksellers as literacy advocates.

• The Northern California Independent Booksellers Association Trade Show will be held on Thursday and Friday, October 11 - 12, at the South San Francisco Conference Center in South San Francisco, California. ABA will present “Meeting the Literacy Needs of Your Community” on Thursday from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. in Baden Room B, and “eBooks and Independent Bookstores,” also on Thursday, from 2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in Baden Room A.
   
• The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Fall Show will be held from Saturday to Monday, October 13 -15, at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Washington. ABA will present “Meeting the Literacy Needs of Your Community” on Saturday from 2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. in Venice 1, and “eBooks and Independent Bookstores,” also on Saturday, from 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

ABA will be staffing a booth on both trade show floors, where booksellers can learn more about Kobo eBooks and eReaders, as well as about Thanks for Shopping Indie, the first-ever multi-publisher print-book promotion exclusively for ABA member bookstores.

The ABA booth will also feature information about the Eighth Annual Winter Institute to be held in Kansas City, Missouri, from February 22 - 25, 2013. Booksellers who drop off a business card at the booth can earn an extra entry in a sweepstakes to win a Wi8 scholarship, covering up to four nights’ accommodations at the host hotel, a maximum of $350 in travel expenses, and the $75 Wi8 meal fee.

Bookstores that have not been members of ABA in the prior two years can join at the regional trade shows and enjoy a complimentary trial membership until February 28, 2013. Trial membership includes all the benefits of regular ABA membership (except for the monthly White Box mailing). Benefits include the ability to join IndieCommerce, access to ABA Education, and a chance to register for the Winter Institute.