Scholarship Applications for Children’s Institute 2024 are now open! 

ABA’s scholarship program aims to create a more equitable path to entry for booksellers who have or hope to make a career in the industry, and/or booksellers who might not be able to attend otherwise.

Children’s Institute 2024 will take place June 10–12, in New Orleans, LA. Scholarship recipients receive waived event fees to in-person Children’s Institute, a comped hotel room during the Institute, and up to $600 reimbursement for travel to and from the Institute. Children’s Institute registration also includes 5 complimentary meals (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and the Book Swap Dinner), and 2 receptions with light fare and refreshments.

Applications are due by November 19. Applicants will need to sign in with their BookWeb username to complete the form. If you do not have a BookWeb username you can request one with this form or reach out to [email protected] for assistance. 

• Tuesday, October 31 at 3:00 pm ET: New Member Series - Intro to ABA Benefits
• Thursday, November 2 at 4:00 pm ET: ABACUS Workshop
• Thursday, November 2 at 8:00 pm ET: Neurodivergent Affinity Group Meeting
• Tuesday, November 7 at 3:00 pm ET: New Member Series - Store Ownership 101
• Thursday, November 9 at 3:00 pm ET: ABA Education Meetup: This is a Fire Drill
• Thursday, November 9 at 7:30 pm ET: BIPOC Affinity Group/Bi-Annual Forum
  

How does ABA determine the Bylaws? 

The Bylaws include the rules, regulations, and processes by which ABA operates. The ABA Board reviews the Bylaws annually and may propose updates, but ultimately changes are decided by member vote. 

Voting in elections, whether for Board Members or policy, is the easiest direct way for you to influence ABA leadership! 

Remember: 

• Only the store owner (or someone designated by the owner) is able to cast a vote. 
• Voting is anonymous. 
• Any proposed change needs at least 100 votes to pass. 

Save the date! Registration for the Bookstore Tours will open November 9. 

There will be four tour options available for Sunday, February 11: two full-day tours and two-half days tours. 

• The full-day tours will take place from 9:00 am to 3:45 pm and cost $85.
• The half-day tours will take place from 12:00 pm to 3:45 pm and cost $45. 
• Buses will begin loading 30 minutes before departure. Please plan to be on the bus at least 10 minutes before departure. 

Keep an eye on your inbox. The selected stores will be announced next week!

ABA’s Advocacy team is on the road (well, rails) this week, heading to Washington, DC to talk to legislators and officials to advocate for small businesses and free expression. 

While in DC, the team will have meetings discussing:

• The Credit Card Competition Act. ABA will be in DC in support of the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), which would make out-of-control credit card processing fees transparent and introduce competition to the payment processing market. Small businesses and consumers in the United States pay exorbitant fees, on average 7 times higher than the maximum European rates. Introducing competition would lower prices and spur innovation, leading to better terms for independent booksellers and customers.
• Priorities for the Biden administration appointee overseeing the response to book bans. ABA will meet with Matt Nosanchuk, who was appointed to the Office of Civil Rights to respond to the book banning crisis. According to a statement on his appointment, Nosanchuk will act as “coordinator on responding to book bans” and “hold trainings for schools, libraries, teachers, and other education stakeholders to help them navigate their duty to provide equal access to education and a supportive learning environment for all.” The ABA team will demonstrate how booksellers are affected by the explosion of book challenges and discuss priorities in responding to them.

This trip follows a visit to DC by ABA leadership last month to support the CCCA and brief the FTC ahead of its landmark antitrust complaint against Amazon.