(Quick links to sections below)

• Bookseller Education, Events & Networking
  
• Industry Information 
• Advocacy
• Marketing
• Business Management Services and Products
  

ABA’s number-one strategic goal is to provide professional booksellers with access to the education, business information, and networking they need to succeed in a changing world. ABA has developed a rich educational curriculum—focusing on finances, store operations, marketing, and more—and a year-long schedule of events.

• Winter Institute: A free, intensive two-day education program with more than 20 education sessions, social events, and hours of networking opportunities for owners and staff of ABA member bookstores. Includes most meals and discounted hotel rates.

• Spring Bookseller Forums: Held every spring in conjunction with regional booksellers associations, these forums provide opportunities for ABA members to receive updates on the Association's programs and initiatives, to voice their concerns, and to offer input on the future direction of ABA. ABA also offers education sessions at these forums.

• ABA Convention & BookExpo America: BookExpo America is the largest English-language book industry event in the world, with over 2,000 publisher exhibits, more than 50 educational sessions, ABA’s day-long education program of seminars and panel discussions, a specially-priced hotel exclusively for ABA member booksellers, an ABA members-only “lounge,” abundant networking opportunities, special events, and author autographing. Also in conjunction with BEA, ABA holds its Town Hall and Annual meetings and the “Celebration of Bookselling” event, and a four-day school for people interested in opening a bookstore is held. ABA members receive discounted admission to BEA.

• Fall Regional Trade Shows: At each fall regional trade show, an ABA booth offers general Association information and new products and services demonstrations. ABA also conducts a evolving series of education sessions at each show.

• Online Bookseller Education: ABA provides members with a variety of distance learning opportunities, all accessible from BookWeb.org.

In a rapidly changing business environment, independent booksellers need to be aware of the latest developments, including the impact of new technologies, in the book industry. ABA offers many resources to help owners, managers, and frontline booksellers to stay informed and to improve their bookselling and managerial skills.

• ABA Book Buyer’s Handbook: Online, searchable, and continuously updated, the ABA Book Buyer’s Handbook is an invaluable resource for ordering and returns information, and it is available exclusively to ABA members. This electronic publication features publishers’ trade terms, including discount schedules, returns policies, imprint and ISBN prefix listings, co-op policies and more, as well as timely special offers.

• Booksellers Resource Directory: The online listing of vendors of non-book inventory. Find sources for plush, bookcases, journals, cards, design services, and other merchandise. On-going vendor updates.

• BookWeb.org: ABA’s trade website (what you're reading right now!) contains a wealth of professional resources and information about the Association, bookselling, and the publishing industry. Here, members can access such valuable tools such as The Book Buyers Handbook, bookseller online discussion groups, and ABA professional development seminars. The plentiful bookseller tools include the Indie Next List and related shelf-talkers; downloadable Indie Bestseller Lists suitable for display; and IndieBound store and ABA member directories. ABA members register for a password to login to the members-only sections of the site.

A Strong, Unified Voice for Independent Booksellers.
Critical issues constantly arise that can drastically affect independent booksellers. Very often these issues are national and beyond the ability of an individual store or a regional association to address. ABA devotes a large portion of its resources to advocating within the publishing industry and at all levels of government for the rights of independent booksellers and the protection of consumer privacy. Whether the issue is working towards a level playing field for all booksellers and against anticompetitive mergers and acquisitions, or for e-commerce taxation parity, literacy initiatives, Small Business Health Plan legislation, and the protection of First Amendment Rights, ABA vigorously represents the interests of independent booksellers.

IndieBound is a unique, community-oriented movement shaped by the American Booksellers Association that celebrates independent bookstores and promotes shopping locally. IndieBound provides both the message and the means for this celebration. Its beneficiaries are booksellers, consumers, publishers, and other independent retailers. IndieBound superseded the Book Sense marketing program in 2008. Any independently owned member of ABA is entitled to use the IndieBound materials and particpate in the publisher-sponsored mailings (subject to some restrictions.) Key components include:

• The Indie Next List: Independent booksellers are and have always been discoverers of the next big thing, the next great read, the next bestseller, and the next undiscovered gem. The Indie Next List is drawn from bookseller recommendations. It's distributed monthly as printed flyers, and featured prominently on IndieBound.org. The Indie Next List includes monthly adult lists, quarterly children’s lists, bi-annual reading group suggestions, and seasonal specialty top ten lists.


• The Indie Bestseller Lists: Weekly national and regional rankings of books in various categories, based on reporting from IndieBound bookstores.


• IndieBound.org: The hub of the movement—an online community where staff, owners, and champions of independent businesses can get together and share their passion. Includes a store finder, so you can shop local anywhere you go.


• The Free Will Catalog and Online Identity Manager: DIY tips, templates, and other resources for bookstores to adapt the IndieBound message to their own store.


• The IndieBound Outreach Liaison: A full-time ABA staff member available to assist stores with making the most of the IndieBound movement in their store.


• Indiessentials: IndieBound's backlist promotion features shelf-talkers to raise awareness and excitement about those classic books we just can't live without.

Qualifying stores receive publisher-supported promotional and marketing materials via the monthly “Red Box” and “White Box” mailing, and quarterly children's box.

General ABA marketing support includes shelf talkers—Autographed Copy Shelf Talkers, Local Author Shelf Talkers, and Staff Picks Shelf Talkers (to use with or without IndieBound) and business products.

ABA members have access to a wide range of business services and products. The savings members realize from these business management tools may considerably offset ABA membership dues. New projects and programs of value to bookstores are constantly being developed and members can stay abreast of the latest additions subscribing to Bookselling This Week and visiting BookWeb.org.

• The ABA Gift Card Program: A national, electronic gift card plan that allows independent bookstores with various inventory control systems to offer, for a competitive cost, gift cards that are redeemable at other participating stores and on IndieCommerce websites. The Gift Card program is optional; administrative fees apply.


• IndieCommerce: An e-commerce tool developed especially for independent bookstores that includes a state-of-the-art search engine and a 2.5 million title database. IndieCommerce is optional; administrative fees apply.


• ABACUS: ABACUS is an annual survey of the financial operations of independent bookstores. The survey tracks key financial indicators—including average gross margins, operating expenses, and net profits—and provides critical insights into the factors that drive profitability. By establishing benchmarks against which an individual store’s performance can be measured, ABACUS gives booksellers an essential tool for improving the profitability of their businesses. Bookstores that participate in this unique survey receive a customized report with a detailed analysis comparing their financial results with other stores based on more than 20 different criteria—such as store size, sales volume, and type of location—plus year-to-year trends data, and an executive summary of the survey’s key findings. Stores submit their data using a simple online form that usually takes no more than an hour to complete. Information provided by participating stores is fully protected and remains completely confidential.

• Above the Treeline Online Inventory Management System: Above the Treeline is a revolutionary web-based system designed to help bookstores improve finances by optimizing inventory selection and turns. Among its many benefits, it allows booksellers to spot sales trends and to measure store performance. The set-up fee is waived for  ABA members setting up new accounts, and all ABA members receive 10% off the standard monthly fee. Contact ATL directly for information or to request a demo.

• Constant Contact Customizable Email Newsletters: Constant Contact makes communicating with customers easy and measurable. Constant Contact manages every aspect of an email campaign, from creation to mailing to customer support. ABA members receive an annual rebate based on average monthly usage.

• LIBRIS Casualty and Property Insurance: An ABA-owned business insurance program for booksellers offering broad coverage at a highly competitive price. For more information, call 888-694-8585 or visit the Libris website.

• LIBRIS Liability Insurance for Publishers: Associate and auxiliary members of ABA are eligible for publisher liability insurance at competitive rates. For more information, call 866-LIBRIS1 (866-694-8585), e-mail Marsha Katchen (mkatchen@beechercarlson.com), or visit the Libris website.

• Discount Shipping Programs: FedEx Small Shipment Freight Program - Offering discounts on inbound and outbound small package shipments. ABA members can also take advantage of FedEx Express and FedEx Home Delivery services. Yellow Transportation and UPS Freight - Members save up to 64% on large freight shipments over 250 lbs. ABA members can contact PartnerShip for rate quotes on all shipments at 800-599-2902 or at info@partnership.com.

• FedEx Office: part of the money-saving ABA Discount Shipping Program. Save 20% off all color and black/white printing and copies, and 10% off on signs, graphics, and finishing services.** If you are already enrolled in the ABA Discount Shipping Program, you are automatically enrolled in the FedEx Office portion of the program. (**Not valid for services provided at FedEx Office's Office and Print Center locations in hotels, convention centers and other non-retail locations.)

• Bank of America Credit Card Processing: The Bank of America Merchant Services Program offers discounted payment processing on most major credit cards, with no annual membership fee, no monthly minimums, and no lock-in merchant agreements. For more information, ABA members can contact Paula R. Kelly at (860) 466-4474 or at paula.r.kelly@bankofamerica.com.

• Certegy Check Services:  Offering the choice of 3 innovative programs. ElecCheck, Enhanced Warranty, SettleSmart. marketpartners@certegy.com

• W. G. Ellerkamp, Inc. / Graeham Owens Paper Company: For IndieBound recycled paper bags, or book-themed gift-wrap, or to arrange for a custom design, ABA members can contact Jack Ellerkamp at jack@wgellerkamp.com or 800-805-0012 for details and prices. A bag order form is available here.

• ChicoBag: The customizable reusable ChicoBagTM compacts easily into an attached pouch that fits in a pocket, backpack, or purse. ChicoBag offers two bag sizes (25 and 40-pound carrying capacities) with various fabric options including the ChicoBag rePETe which is manufactured from 99% recycled content (the equivalent to 7 plastic bottles). All ChicoBags feature a carabineer that allows the bags to attach to a belt loop or key ring. ChicoBags have long term durability and can be machine washed! Because of the ChicoBags convenience, they're never left at home which helps decreases store costs while boosting front end merchandise sales.
  
  All active ABA Members receive a 10% discount on their custom ChicoBag orders (12-14 week delivery) or a free wire basket display with their first order. Online form for information requests and orders.

• AAA Label: AAA Label is the exclusive supplier of ABA-designed, low-tack stickers. ABA members save up to 80% off custom low-tack sticker rolls. Contact Laura Moore at laura@aaalabelinc.com or 404-355-6128.

• Mary Engelbreit gift certificates: Members can purchase Mary Engelbreit gift certificates, directly from ABA’s order department, at 800-637-0037, ext. 6636.

• Standard Chart of Accounts: A financial management tool to simplify preparation of tax documents; the use of the ABACUS financial surveys; and participation in the government census and industry studies with one multiple-purpose set of numbers. This chart was developed by booksellers, for booksellers, presents a logical journal entry classification for your revenues and expenses, and is adaptable to any size or complexity of bookselling operation.
  
  • Introduction
  • Standard Chart of Accounts