About ABA Membership WHAT IS THE AMERICAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION? Founded in 1900, the American Booksellers Association (ABA) is a trade organization pledged to protecting the well-being of book retailers and to promoting the availability of books. Members include independent, specialty, and franchise bookstores, college and university stores, publishers, wholesalers, distributors, and others with a special interest in bookselling. JOIN ABA. GET THE COMPETITIVE EDGE YOU NEED TO BOOST PROFITS...CUT COSTS...GENERATE SALES! Look at the benefits of membership For new ABA bookstore members*, we will pay regional bookseller association dues for one year. (Just enter promotional code JRGNL on your application. *Offer valid for 6 months following receipt of ABA membership application.) Low-Cost Group Programs. All ABA members have access to a wide range of business management services which include: LIBRIS Casualty and Property Insurance, Bank of America Credit Card Processing, FedEx Small Shipment Freight Program, and other services. The savings you may realize from these business services can substantially offset your ABA membership dues. You can't lose when you take advantage of these programs and choose ABA as a partner! ABA Book Buyer's Handbook. Updated on an on-going basis online. Available only to ABA members, the Book Buyer's Handbook features publishers' discount schedules, returns policies, trade terms, and more. Timely News and Information. Get breaking news via Bookselling This Week Online delivered directly via e-mail. Members' Web Site. You'll find a wealth of information and resources on our Web site www.BookWeb.org. Network with other booksellers by using our Idea Exchange or ask ABA a question. National Marketing Program. BOOK SENSE--Independent Bookstores for Independent Minds -- is an integrated national marketing program developed by ABA to strengthen the competitive position of independent storefront booksellers. More than 1,200 bookstores in 50 states participate in, and take advantage of, a national advertising campaign, national gift certificates, and two consumer book reference lists that have captured the attention of publishers and the press: the Book Sense Picks: Independent Bookseller Recommendations List and the Book Sense Bestseller List. The Book Sense marketing program is free to ABA members that meet certain criteria. BookSense.com: Member stores with Book Sense have the option of offering their customers a dynamic e-commerce service through the capabilities of www.BookSense.com, which has been especially designed for independent bookstores. Each bookstore has its own Web site, supported by BookSense.com, which offers the consumer all the services required for a pleasant and efficient experience shopping for buying books online. Educational Opportunities. Throughout the year, and culminating at the annual ABA convention held in conjunction with BookExpo America, ABA offers educational programming that will help you be a better bookseller and a better businessperson. ABA holds the Winter Institute -- an education event in January free to ABA member booksellers. Every Spring, ABA also offers education sessions at its Spring Forums. Every Fall, in conjunction with the regional bookseller associations, ABA sponsors a series of educational programs at each show. Networking Opportunities. The annual ABA Convention, held in conjunction with BookExpo America, a preeminent international event in the world of books, provides a unique opportunity to network with your colleagues, as well as attend panels, workshops, and roundtables focusing on the latest industry developments. ABA sponsors "Hotel ABA," an exclusive hotel for ABA member booksellers attending BEA. ABA also holds special events and sends Board members and staff around the country to provide a forum for booksellers to network and speak their minds. Valuable Research Information. Members have access to ABA research surveys and publications that can make a difference between red and black ink on their bottom lines! Each year ABA gathers financial data from member bookstores for the ABACUS Study, which provides operational benchmarks for independent booksellers by measuring business operations by sales volume, store size, region, and more. A Strong Voice in Washington and in the Industry. Critical decisions that could drastically affect your business are made constantly in Washington, D.C., and in the publishing community. Having ABA as your advocate assures you and your fellow booksellers that a strong, unified message will be delivered, whether the issue is the tax code, the First Amendment, or the equitable treatment of all book retailers by publishers. And much more! You can write us at: American Booksellers Association Information Service Center 200 White Plains Rd. Tarrytown, NY 10591 [email protected]   Or call us at:   (914) 591-2665 (800) 637-0037 (914) 591-2720 (Fax)