New Localism Toolkit Launches

The American Booksellers Association this week released a New Localism Toolkit to help booksellers educate their staff, their customers, elected officials, and the media about the latest relevant data regarding the localism movement.

The digital kit is designed to help booksellers better communicate with their customers and fellow businesspeople, and to become stronger advocates in support of public policy that promotes vibrant and diverse communities. The toolkit will be featured at each of this season’s nine ABA Spring Booksellers Forums as part of the new education session “Indie Bookstores and the New Localism: What You Can Do.”

Among the items in the toolkit are:

• FAQs and talking points
• DIY materials aimed at customers
• Materials to share on social media
• Sample letters to elected officials
• Links to other relevant information and media coverage
• Links to ABA’s new Antitrust Action Kit

Also launched this week is a consumer landing page, IndieBound.org/spotlightamazon, which provides additional resources for customers looking for more information about Amazon’s growth and impact on communities.

Bookseller comments and feedback about the materials in the New Localism Toolkit can be e-mailed to ABA Membership and Marketing Officer Meg Smith; advocacy-related questions should be directed to ABA Senior Public Policy Analyst David Grogan.