Bookstores looking to join this year's Independents Week celebrations [6] (July 1-7) have access to an abundance of freely available resources. Among the materials provided by the American Independent Business Alliance [7], the event sponsor, are graphics, suggested activities, "how-to" documents, and a proclamation that can be adapted by local politicians to kick off this year's ceremonies. Retailers and local groups are invited to pick and choose from AMIBA's materials to create custom celebrations for their communities.

In addition, ABA's Bookseller DIY [8] features promotional items for an "Indieville" Independents Week, including a sample poster, ad slick, website banner, and more. ABA encourages booksellers to use the materials as a starting point for creating a campaign that best reflects their town, their celebration, their style. A downloadable flier [9] offers talking points emphasizing the benefits of shopping locally.

Help customizing materials in the Bookseller DIY is available from ABA Marketing Manager Paige Poe [10].

For more ideas for Independents Week celebrations, here's a look at what some communities did last year [11].