The IndieBound team, which has been hard at work since the Winter Institute, this week announced five major new features that benefit everyone.

Info Pages for Books

Now it's easier than ever for authors, publishers, and bloggers to link to IndieBound and support independent bookstores. Any book result from the IndieBound.org site search will now link to a full information page on each book, with large cover art and a brief book description.

Included on each page are links to buy the book online directly from an independent bookstore, locate a store on the Indie Store Finder Map, and add the book to a Wish List, as well as a widget for linking to the book on a website, for IndieBound.org affiliates [4].  For non-affiliates, the info page's URL is a permanent link to the book.

Try it out with the Indie Bestsellers. [5]

Great Reads From Booksellers You Trust

[6]IndieBound.org's new book information pages spotlight bookseller quotes from Indie Next List recommendations. Currently included are quotes from all Indie Next List Great Reads and Notables, including specialty lists, going back to the inaugural Indie Next List in July 2008. More bookseller recommendations will be featured from the past -- and the future! Stay tuned for more information on how to get involved by recommending books on IndieBound.org.

As an additional feature, each bookseller quote has a link not only to the Indie Next List in which it was featured, but also a link to the recommending store's profile.

IndieBound To-Go

[7]ABA members have long had exclusive access to IndieBound advertising materials through the Bookseller DIY [8]. Now many of these materials are available to other indie retailers and enthusiasts. IndieBound To-Go [7] provides the necessary tools for retailers, community groups, schools, and others to download, print, and recreate do-it-yourself IndieBound materials. A user account [9] in the IndieBound Community is required to download files.  

Also included are useful links to news and economic studies on the Shop Local movement, examples of how other communities are using IndieBound, and more. This is an easy way to help spread IndieBound in communities. Booksellers can easily send the URL to their indie neighbors or give a short demonstration of the page at an upcoming retail association or IBA meeting. As always, booksellers can contact IndieBound Outreach Liaison Paige Poe [10] with any questions.

Improved Indie Store Finder Map

IndieBound staff has been working hard to make the Indie Store Finder Map [11] easier and more useful than ever. "More Info" links now provide expanded bubbles with store hours, descriptions, and pictures -- right on the map. A "Become a Fan" button is included alongside the store description.

Bookstores are now the default viewing option on the map, but other business types are available. Three new categories have been added: Gift & Home, Arts & Crafts, and Restaurants, to accommodate the growing diversity of indie businesses community members have been adding to the map. And there's still an "All Indie Stores" option for a Main Street overview.

Bicycles, Bicycles Everywhere...

With the help of the National Bicycle Dealers Association, IndieBound.org has added more than 4,000 independently owned bicycle shops [12] to its searchable database of indie businesses. Springtime is fast approaching, so find a bike shop near you today.

And in case you missed them last week, check out [13] IndieBound's new bumper stickers and the new slideshow and screensaver.