Advocacy

Mission

The American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) is part of the American Booksellers Association's advocacy efforts for bookstores. ABFE's current mission, informed by ABA's current Ends Policies, is to ensure that core member bookstores have the resources they need in support of their right to freedom of expression and that the interests of independent bookstores are supported and protected. To help bookstores whose free expression concerns are outside of ABFE’s focus, ABFE connects bookstores with coalition partners that are best suited to address their specific needs.

Coalition Partners

While ABA financially supports the coalition partners, ABA focuses its efforts through ABFE. ABFE is grateful for the support and efforts of its partners. 

• Banned Books Week Coalition. ABFE actively participates in the Banned Books Week Coalition (BBWC), attending the coalition’s monthly meetings and providing input on the annual event. Each year, ABFE compiles materials (largely sourced from the BBWC) to create and distribute Banned Books Week Kits to participating independent bookstores. 

• Kids' Right to Read Project. ABFE coordinates with the Kids’ Right to Read Project (KRRP) — a part of the Youth Free Expression Program of the National Coalition Against Censorship — as a resource for bookstores faced with First Amendment challenges in their local schools and libraries. In line with ABA’s current Ends Policies, which refocus ABFE’s work on bookstores’ needs, ABFE no longer co-signs KRRP letters to local schools and libraries. ABFE instead connects bookstores directly with KRRP.

• Media Coalition. ABFE is a member of the Media Coalition, an association that protects the First Amendment rights of producers and distributors of media, such as books, movies, and magazines, through its legislative advocacy and in the courts. ABFE attends the Media Coalition’s monthly meetings to learn about potential legislation, lawsuits, and amicus briefs of interest to bookstores. Consistent with ABA’s current Ends Policies, ABFE only signs statements/memos, lawsuits, or amicus briefs that are directly related to bookstores’ needs.

2021 Supporters

ABFE is grateful for its affiliate and publisher support:

• Come from the Heart

• Penguin Random House

• ABA Members who donated to ABFE when they renewed their membership dues

Contribute to ABFE

ABFE’s Resources

Below are ABFE’s resources for bookstores. These resources are monitored for updates annually or sooner, if deemed necessary. Many of these resources are templates that can be customized by bookstores. 

• Preparing for Controversial Author Events (last updated 10/29/2021)

• Q&A Protecting Customer Privacy in Bookstores (last updated 11/18/2021)

• Freedom of Expression, Equity, Access, and Representation, & Customer Privacy Template Statements (last updated 10/29/2021)

• Freedom of Expression Hotline. For time-sensitive freedom of expression support or questions, bookstores can contact ABFE Director Dave Grogan at (800) 209-1538 or abfe@bookweb.org.

ABFE’s Work (updated quarterly)

• ABFE’s Work in 2021 (last updated 9/30/2021)

Transparency Commitment

ABFE is committed to clearly announcing any updates to ABFE’s coalition partners, affiliates, resources, and work in ABA’s weekly newsletter Bookselling This Week, and to keeping the ABFE page updated as a resource for members.

Contact

ABFE encourages bookstores to email abfe@bookweb.org with any questions or concerns. If you do not find what you are looking for on this page, ABFE can create additional resources or direct you to a coalition partner that is best suited to address your needs.