NCIBA Makes It Easier to Promote Free Speech

The Northern California Independent Booksellers Association feels strongly about First Amendment rights. Now, to demonstrate that commitment, it is printing the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression's (ABFFE) new statement proclaiming a bookstore's support for free speech and reader privacy in color on card stock and sending it to the 92 NCIBA member booksellers who are also members of ABFFE.

"They're great messages," explained NCIBA Executive Director Hut Landon, "and this is important enough that it should be done nicely." He added that most booksellers are pressed for time, especially at this time of year, so "the easier you can make it for your bookstores, the more likely it is you can get the message out."

"We're delighted by NCIBA's offer to help us make our free speech statements available to booksellers in northern California," said ABFFE President Chris Finan. "This way, both ABFFE and the stores stress the importance of free speech to bookstore customers."

Finan emphasized that ABFFE is urging all booksellers to display the statement, which is titled "To Our Customers." It explains why booksellers believe it is important to carry a wide diversity of books, including works that some people may find offensive. It also promises customers that the bookstore will protect the privacy of their book purchases.

The statement, in two designs each in color or black and white, is available to all booksellers in PDF format via the ABFFE website, www.abffe.com. -David Grogan