Advocacy

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.

Advocacy Events and Networking SBR SBR : Read This Next! SBR : Southern Book Prize SIBA News SIBA News : Catalogs SIBA News : Industry News SIBA News : Member News SIBA News : NVNR

NVNR Publishes Land Acknowledgment
NVNR Publishes Land Acknowledgment

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

Postedby Nicki Leone
Date posted07/22/2026


ABACUS Deadline Extended
ABACUS Deadline Extended

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

Postedby Nicki Leone
Date posted07/8/2026


New Emergency Preparedness Resource: Bright Harbor
New Emergency Preparedness Resource: Bright Harbor

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

Postedby Nicki Leone
Date posted06/23/2026


Reprint: An Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Reprint: An Emergency Preparedness Checklist

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

Postedby John Cavalier
Date posted06/15/2026


Review Your Emergency Contact Info
Review Your Emergency Contact Info

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

Postedby Nicki Leone
Date posted06/14/2026


It's Time for ABACUS!
It's Time for ABACUS!

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

Postedby Nicki Leone
Date posted05/27/2026


Blind Date with a Book Advocacy
Blind Date with a Book Advocacy

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

Date posted04/15/2026


Opportunity to sign onto the H.R. 7661 Joint Statement
Opportunity to sign onto the H.R. 7661 Joint Statement

SIBA booksellers have the opportunity to sign on to a statement against H.R. 7661, (also known as the Federal Book Banning Bill). The deadline to sign is Friday, April 10 by 5:00 pm Eastern Continue Reading

Date posted04/8/2026


Banned Book Resources from the Right to Read Working Group
Banned Book Resources from the Right to Read Working Group

RTRWG is an alliance of organizations protecting freedom of expression and combating censorship. It devlopes tools for people facing book banning challenges in their communities, especially tools around effective language and leadership. Continue Reading

Postedby Nicki Leone
Date posted02/9/2026


From the Membership Coordinator: SIBA Bookstores Say ICE Out
From the Membership Coordinator: SIBA Bookstores Say ICE Out

A roundup of actions 65 stores in SIBA’s territory took on January 30th. Continue Reading

Postedby Candice Huber
Date posted02/4/2026


Aid for MN
Aid for MN

Reprinted with the generous permission of NAIBA. Our thoughts are with our bookselling friends in Minnesota who are standing up, speaking out, providing safe spaces, and working diligently to support their communities in the midst of danger, turmoil, and strife. Continue Reading

Postedby Kit Little
Date posted01/29/2026


Carmichael's Letter Writing Campaign in Support of MN Bookstores
Carmichael's Letter Writing Campaign in Support of MN Bookstores

Johanna Hynes, sales rep and part time bookseller at Carmichaels Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky, has sent out a call to fellow booksellers to support the bookstores of Minniapolis, whose communities are contending with the influx of federal agents. Continue Reading

Date posted01/20/2026