With substantially-reduced membership and a challenging environment to drive dues from existing members, the American Booksellers Association president Michael Tucker wrote to members about a variety of initiatives starting next February.
Most significant is that the organization will expand by making used bookstores eligible for membership. They are also adding a special membership category for new stores and new members. Both used stores and new members will be charged reduced dues, as will stores with low sales volume. Tucker writes that “ABA is making these changes because we believe in the opportunities inherent for community-based, indie booksellers in this time of substantial change — and the importance of making sure that bookstores have the resources and support necessary to take root and grow.”
Tucker also notes the association’s current expectation that “Google Editions will launch in the fall, well in advance of the holiday season.”
Post