If you're a book or music hound, you already know that loyal indie record store customers and indie bookstore customers are cut from the same cloth -- they're usually discerning aficionados seeking the next big thing before it becomes big, or that hidden gem that can only be found through a knowledgeable staff and an eclectic selection of product. So, it's only fitting that this year the American Booksellers Association and IndieBound will be joining with indie record stores around the globe to mark the second annual celebration of Record Store Day.

There was a time when Buffalo, New York, had a vibrant indie community. But, like so many towns and cities across the country, over the years, the economic landscape slowly changed: the city started going through the painful process of deindustrialization, jobs disappeared, many indie retailers closed, and chains moved in.

A video of Stacy Mitchell's presentation, "How Shop Local Movements Are Saving Small Businesses," at the Pre-Winter Institute Conference on Local First/Shop Local Initiatives is now available via BookWeb.org.

Over the past holiday season, several independent bookstores paired with other indie retailers in their communities for holiday coupon promotions. While the results of these inaugural efforts did not result in a pronounced sales increase, valuable lessons were learned, the stores garnered positive PR among customers, and those who participated believe that, with some adjustments, cross-promotions are initiatives whose time has come.

A highlight of ABA's January 29 pre-Winter Institute Conference on Local First/Shop Local Initiatives was the stirring lunchtime speech of author Terry Tempest Williams, who moved booksellers to tears and elicited rousing ovations. With Williams' permission, BTW is happy to present the full text of her address here.

On Thursday, January 29, more than 200 people gathered for ABA's Pre-Winter Institute Conference on Local First/Shop Local Initiatives in Salt Lake City, Utah. The full day of programming provided attendees an opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced leaders in the IBA community, who shared their experiences creating and sustaining successful programs.

As the Senate debates President Obama's economic stimulus plan, the American Booksellers Association is calling on booksellers to contact their legislators in Washington as soon as possible to urge support for the bill's small-business provisions.

In an extremely challenging economic climate, independent retailers are outperforming many chains, a national survey has found.