Coronavirus Resources for Booksellers

The American Booksellers Association is monitoring the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and will provide updates and resources for booksellers here on an ongoing basis.

Questions? Concerns? Contact ABA › Resources for Reopening

Immediate Steps to Take ›Resources for Reopening ›Publisher/Wholesaler/Vendor Support ›Opportunities for Financial Assistance ›At the Intersection of COVID-19 and Diversity ›Hosting Virtual Events ›

Immediate Steps to Take During the COVID-19 Outbreak:

• Ask for rent relief. ​Read about some strategies or talk to ABA’s Dan Cullen for more ideas.
• No e-commerce site? Sign up as an affiliate and sell through Bookshop or get on the IndieCommerce/IndieLite waitlist for after the crisis.
• Call your publishing sales reps and ask for help! See what some publishers are offering or reach out directly to ask for help on a case-by-case basis.
• Fill out this form to share your store's status so we have critical info for our lobbying and advocacy efforts. NOTE: This information is public. See fellow booksellers' responses here. 
• Notify your publisher sales reps if your store is closed and not accepting inventory.
• Drive online sales.
• Sell non-book online.
• Take care of yourself and others; read through these mental health strategies and tips.
• Practice cybersecurity measures.
• Remember to communicate with your staff, publishers, customers, landlord, and authors

Resources for Reopening

Here are some suggestions for ways to improve employee safety and customer safety as stores look toward reopening, including a comprehensive list of where to source supplies like masks, hand sanitizer, signage, and more.

Publisher, wholesaler, and vendor support:

See current offers from publishers, wholesalers, vendors, and other industry partners. More detailed information on some of these offers is available on the COVID-19 Publisher Special Offers page in the Book Buyer's Handbook. ABA is lobbying for support for members, but we strongly encourage booksellers to contact their reps with individual requests. Publishers are asked to contact ABA CEO Allison Hill to share details about support they can offer; additionally, booksellers are invited to contact Hill with requests for the type of support that would be most helpful and ABA will relay that to publishers.

Opportunities for Financial Assistance:

(Note: For application purposes, the IRS business activity code for bookstores is 451211)

Additional information can be found on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance's list of COVID-19 relief.

Federal

• Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Application and Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Information
• Preparing for an SBA loan application
• Summary of CARES Act and the specific provisions booksellers should know
• Resources and information on Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• Summary of Families First Coronavirus Response Law and Department of Labor Guidance

State/Local

• ABA spreadsheet of general and state-specific resources for small businesses, with a focus on unemployment information, grant and loan information, and general business resources
• Forbes: List of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Small Business Relief Programs

Non-Governmental

• Set up a gift card or donation campaign on Google My Business. See an example here.
• Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation: Fill out an inquiry form
• Lawyers for Good Government is offering pro bono legal consultations.

At the Intersection of COVID-19 and Diversity:

Crisis affects every community differently, and COVID-19 is no different. One’s experience of the crisis will look completely different from another’s. We can all be mindful of this as we look to support those around us during this trying time. On the Intersection of COVID-19 and Diversity page, learn more about COVID-19 infections in diverse communities; resources for owners and staff; voices on the COVID crisis in diverse communities; and opportunities for financial assistance. Additionally, read through these strategies and tips for managing your mental health during the crisis.

Hosting Virtual Events:

• Publisher partners have provided information and best practices for booksellers to follow when hosting story times and related digital events.
• The Resources and Tips for Creating Virtual Events page includes video sharing platforms, tips for live-streaming, virtual story time guidelines, and more.
• The Author-Hosted Virtual Events and Downloadable Digital Event Kits page details ongoing daily or weekly online events conducted by authors and illustrators. Stores can share these events and link to their website to buy the featured books.
• Visit the Online and Virtual Events Tools chart to learn more about services such as Crowdcast, Twitch, Google Meet, IGTV, and many more.