It’s ABA Dues Renewal Time

Booksellers should be on the lookout for ABA dues renewal notices arriving in their mailboxes sometime early next week. Because mailing was delayed by a week due to the American Booksellers Association’s move to new offices, the payment deadline has been extended to February 15. Stores can also renew their membership via an easy-to-use online form at BookWeb.org/renewal.

The membership term for all stores is February 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014.

To help with cash flow, members can opt to pay dues on a quarterly or monthly basis via credit card or ACH transfer. To enroll, booksellers simply need to select the monthly or quarterly payment option on their renewal form and complete the Authorization Agreement, which is included in the mailing and can be downloaded here.

Stores that currently pay their dues on the monthly plan will continue to be charged at the current rate for the 2013 dues year unless they notify ABA to the contrary by February 1, 2013. Stores that wish to update their sales information (and dues category) should contact their ABA Member Relationship Manager.

The membership renewal form also includes an opt-in for participation in the ABC Children’s Group at ABA (ABC Group). ABC Group members receive access to a dedicated listserv; a group newsletter; 250 free copies of the Best Books for Children catalog and the ability to order custom imprinted catalogs in larger quantities; free New Voices marketing materials, including shelf-talkers and bookmarks, that highlight debut middle-grade and YA authors; exclusive rights to purchase tickets to the Tea With Children’s Authors and Illustrators, the Speed Dating Lunch With Children’s Book Authors, and other ABC Group/Children’s Book Council events at BookExpo America; education and networking opportunities; and other perks throughout the year. Membership in the ABC Group does not roll over year-to-year. There is a $50 membership fee to join the group.

Members can also choose to support the crucial First Amendment work of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) by adding a tax-deductible donation when completing the renewal form.

The yearly ABC Children’s Group membership fee and donations to ABFFE are not included in the monthly payment option.

Questions about dues renewal from booksellers in the NAIBA, NCIBA, NEIBA, and SCIBA regions should be addressed to Kaitlin Pitcher at [email protected] or by phone to (800) 637-0037, ext. 7566.

Questions from booksellers in the GLIBA, MIBA, MPIBA, PNBA, and SIBA regions should be addressed to Nathan Halter at [email protected] or by phone to (800) 637-0037, ext. 7514.

All forms should be returned to ABA’s new address:

American Booksellers Association
Attn: Membership
333 Westchester Avenue, Suite S202
White Plains, NY 10604