The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) stands against Racism. SIBA is committed to amplifying and supporting BIPOC voices in our membership and industry, and to offering DEI educational programming to members, SIBA staff, and Board.
The winning bookseller will be awarded a year-long scholarship for professional development, which includes travel and hotel to attend Winter Institute, their 2027 regional fall tradeshow, and a $2,000 stipend to fund a community outreach project. Continue Reading
From local gatherings to public recognition, Black Bookstore Day celebrates Black-owned bookstores as businesses, gathering places, and cultural anchors. Continue Reading
The American Booksellers Association (ABA) encourages your store to join the Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC)'s sign-on letter objecting to the proposed settlement in MDL-1720. This letter urges the District Court Judge to deny final approval. Continue Reading
In 2023, ABA, WordsWorth Books, Pearl’s Books, and other groups, filed a First Amendment Challenge to the law because it could make it illegal to display books that are appropriate for adults and older minors. Two weeks ago, the Eighth Circuit overturned our victory in the district court. Continue Reading
Now being updated for 2026, SIBA's Banned Books Week Toolkit is designed to be useful to SIBA booksellers not only for their Banned Books Week plans, but also for responding to book challenges in their communities. Continue Reading
New Voices New Rooms has published a land acknowledgement in advance of its 2026 conference in Baltimore next month, recognizing the event will be held on the traditional home of the Piscataway and Susquehannock peoples. Continue Reading
The deadline to complete ABACUS has been extended to July 24. Stores that submit surveys will be entered into a raffle for a Wi2027 scholarship! Continue Reading
For bookstores reviewing their emergency preparedness plans, Judey Kalchik of the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc) recommends looking at Bright Harbor as a resource. Continue Reading
There are a lot of things that you can do before an emergency ever happens that will add to your capacity to respond and be of service. Continue Reading
Weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and forest fires are a fact of life in the South. When they occur, SIBA will reach out to its members who have been affected to offer aid and connect them with resources that can help them survive and recover. Continue Reading
Stores that participate in ABACUS receive individual “report cards” with key performance indicators that can help you with benchmarking and financial decision-making. Continue Reading
It has come to the attention of SIBA that an independent company has filed to trademark "Blind Date with a Book." SIBA is adding our voice to the advocacy to object to the trademark application, and we need your help urgently. Continue Reading
