(Quick links to sections below)

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

Bookseller Education, Events & Networking
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.

• 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 Book Sense Picks lists and shelf-talkers; downloadable Book Sense Bestseller Lists suitable for display; and Book Sense store and ABA member directories. ABA members register for a password to login to the members-only sections of the site.

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.

Marketing
Book Sense is the national marketing program developed by ABA in 2000 to strengthen the competitive position of independent storefront booksellers. More than 1,200 bookstores in 50 states participate in the program, which is comprised of four key components:

• The Book Sense Picks: Bookseller recommendations from around the country, distributed as printed consumer fliers to participating stores. The Picks include monthly adult lists, quarterly children’s lists, annual summer paperback and reading group suggestions, and seasonal specialty top ten lists. The Book Sense Notables are 20 additional titles chosen each month based on bookseller recommendations and are available in various formats.

• The Book Sense Bestseller List: Weekly national and regional rankings of books in various categories, based on reporting from independent bookstores with Book Sense.

• The Book Sense 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 which are redeemable at other participating stores with Book Sense and on BookSense.com websites.

• BookSense.com: An e-commerce tool developed especially for independent bookstores, which includes a state-of-the-art search engine and a 2.5 million title database.

The Book Sense marketing program is free to all ABA core members, storefront location bookstores that sell predominantly new trade books. Participating stores receive publisher-supported promotional and marketing materials via the monthly “Red Box” and “White Box” mailing. Stores can choose to participate in the Book Sense Gift Card Program and in BookSense.com, for which certain administrative fees apply.

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 Book Sense Picks, and business products.

Business Management Products and Services
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. 

• 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. Keep reading for more details.
  

• 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. Keep reading for more details and to sign up.
  

• 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 Kinko’s: 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 Kinko’s portion of the program. (**Not valid for services provided at FedEx Kinko'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 Kelly at 860-523-6122 or at Paula.R.Kelly@bankofamerica.com.
  
  
• Certegy Check Services, a Fidelity National Information Services Company, provides check risk management, electronic check conversion, check collections, and check cashing services to more than 396,000 businesses worldwide. Certegy provides customized check authorization programs with discounted rates to control payment expense, minimize risk, and improve cash flow. These state of the art transaction processing and settlement solutions will enhance your customer service and improve point of sale efficiency, while offering security and profitability to your payment acceptance process. ABA members receive discounted rates. For more information call 866-496-2637 or email your store name, address, phone number, and ABA member ID number to marketpartners@certegy.com.

• CDW Computer Centers, Inc.: ABA’s group-buying program partner, CDW, offers customized technology solutions for independent booksellers—often at discount prices. Both the computer expert and computer novice can conduct valuable comparison shopping at www.cdw.com. ABA members receive a special access code to set up an account. More details and sign-up instructions may be found here, or call CDW toll-free 877-325-7022.
  

• Atlas Paper Company: For Book Sense branded paper or plastic bags, or book-themed gift-wrap, or to arrange for a custom design, ABA members can call Atlas Paper for savings of up to 25%. New ABA members receive an additional 20% discount. Contact Dave Cohen at dec@atlaspaper.com or 800-874-8873 for details and prices.
  

• 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.
  

• Bookstore Supplies: Members can purchase various ABA and Book Sense merchandise, including stickers and Mary Engelbreit gift certificates, directly from ABA’s order department, at 800-637-0037, ext. 6636. Available items are listed here.
  

• 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