ABA Ends Policies

(As revised by the ABA Board of Directors in August 2018)

A. Members will have the necessary business skills to professionally operate profitable independent bookstores.

●        Members will attend multilevel informational and educational programs presented around the country and/or have the ability to access the related materials through multiple vehicles.

●        Members will have multiple networking opportunities that foster a constructive exchange of ideas.

●        Members will have access to financial and/or consulting services, and access to relevant operating financial models to use as tools in the operation of their businesses.

●        Members will engage in and have access to new and alternative technologies, business models, and services and/or consulting on them.

●        Members will have access to programs specifically aimed at growing and expanding the reach of children’s books to a wide audience of both consumers and booksellers.

B. Member bookstores will be vital and valued partners to publishers, wholesalers, authors, agents, and vendors and will constitute a vital portion of the U.S. book market.

●          The general bookselling/book publishing community, including authors, will be aware of matters of concern to independent booksellers.

●          Authors, publishers, and other industry partners will respond favorably to advocacy regarding matters of concern to independent booksellers.

●          Members will have the opportunity to test and develop new business models among booksellers and their vendors.

●          The wider bookselling and publishing communities and the media will use and view the American Booksellers Association as a source of relevant and timely statistical, research, and marketing information.

C. Member bookstores will be effectively promoted as the preferred marketplace for the public.

●          The public will recognize the value of independent bookstores to their communities and their local economies.

●          The public will recognize the vital role that independent bookstores play in promoting and maintaining the diversity of authors, books, and ideas.

●          Independent bookstores will be part of a community of local independent businesses nationwide.

D. Member bookstores will be heard on advocacy issues pertinent to the bookselling trade.

●          Member stores will be represented within groups of appropriate allies dealing with issues of literacy, culture, diversity, and the development of new readers.

●          Member stores will be heard on legal and regulatory issues, including the First Amendment, free expression, fair trade practices, and related issues.

E. Professional and prospective independent booksellers who plan to open new stores, purchase existing stores, or expand existing stores will be provided with programs that facilitate participation in the complex world of bookselling.

●         Prospective member stores and booksellers will be offered programs and information that encourage participation by and for a diverse population of booksellers.

●         Programs and information will be available emphasizing retention and advancement of booksellers to professional levels.