New ABA Partnership to Provide Booksellers Access to POD Four

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July 17, 2008 interest title that is out of print, republish it through this program TABLE OF CONTENTS: and sell it in their store -- providing their community access to local • New ABA Partnership to Provide Booksellers history they'd not be able to obtain otherwise." Access to POD ...... 1 Phil Zuckerman of Applewood Books, an established publisher of • Four Winter Institute Videos Now on BookWeb historic and public domain books from America's past, told BTW that partnering with indie booksellers was a natural, in part due to ...... 1 their knowledge of the market. "There is no doubt that booksellers • Booksellers Urged to Celebrate Banned Books know better about what sells," he said. "They understand what Week: ABFFE Offers Array of Resources ...... 2 books would sell if consumers were able to get their hands on • BTW News Briefs ...... 2 them, from both a national and local perspective. That's some pretty • IndieBound Info Sessions Set for July ...... 3 powerful intellectual muscle." • 10 Easy Steps to IndieBound ...... 4 To participate, booksellers will sign a letter of agreement for each work and pay an advance fee of $250 for each title they choose to • RiverRun Invites Indies Nationwide to Join co-publish through the program. The work must be in the public Reading Marathon ...... 4 domain or the rights to reprint the title must have been procured in • Nominations Needed for Banned Books Top writing. To prepare the title for printing, Applewood will digitize Ten ...... 5 the work; create a cover design (booksellers can choose one of • SCIBA & IndieBound on the Road ...... 5 three templated designs at no extra charge or provide their own custom, production-ready art); assign an ISBN; provide • Linden Tree Children's Recordings and Books: bibliographic data; approve the title for manufacture; and more. A Community Treasure ...... 6 Titles will be printed by Ingram's Lightning Source 2 . • Bookstore Sales Up Again in May ...... 6 Among the key benefits of the program is that participating • Olsson's Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy booksellers will have exclusive access to purchase any of the works Protection ...... 6 that Applewood co-publishes for ABA members via a web portal • Obama Countdown Clock: Another Sizzlin' which is scheduled to launch at the end of July. Moreover, the program provides participating booksellers with the option of Sideline? ...... 7 allowing Applewood to distribute their works through its • Workshop for New & Prospective Booksellers distribution channels throughout the world. When booksellers in September ...... 7 choose this option, Applewood will pay a royalty of 10 percent of • Mark Your Calendars: The Fall Regional Trade net for any sales made: 7.5 percent will be paid to the store, and 2.5 Shows ...... 7 percent will be paid to ABA for administering the program. Vlahos stressed that, by partnering with Applewood Books, which has been in business since 1976, booksellers won't have the MARKETPLACE headache of navigating the complicated maze of out-of-print • Classifieds ...... 8 licensing and public domain publishing. "Applewood Books has • Other Advertising ...... 8 over 30 years of experience in this field, and their unmatched know-how will help our members tap a new, and potentially very profitable, market," he said. The partnership between ABA and Applewood Books was New ABA Partnership to Provide facilitated by Ingram's Lightning Source, which had been engaged Booksellers Access to POD in conversations with the association to find ways to help independent booksellers tap into the print-on-demand market. July 17, 2008 -- This week, the American Booksellers Association announced a partnership with Applewood Books 1 that will enable Further details, a letter of agreement, and more will be made ABA member booksellers to publish out-of-print books on demand. available on BookWeb by the end of July. In the meantime, The new program will provide participating booksellers with the booksellers with questions should contact Vlahos at ability to publish any title that is in the public domain or any book, [email protected] 3 . --David Grogan 4 such as a local interest title, whose rights have reverted to the author and to sell it at margins from 50 to 75 percent. Four Winter Institute Videos Now on "This program represents a tremendous opportunity for BookWeb independent booksellers to sell high-margin merchandise that will further tie their stores to local communities," said Len Vlahos, July 17, 2008 -- The focus of the ABA Winter Institute is education chief program officer for ABA. "Booksellers can now take a local -- sometimes gained in a panel or a seminar, but, also, through the compelling insights of thoughtful authors and experts.

This year's institute featured two memorable keynote speakers and FREADOM buttons in three colors that are sold in mixed bags of a thought-provoking roundtable discussion on localism that ended 100 ($20). FREADOM T-shirts are available in four colors and in a standing ovation. If you couldn't attend the Winter Institute, or may be customized for a nominal fee. missed any of these insightful speakers, four videos have been 5 Also new this year is a Banned Books Week bracelet featuring posted on BookWeb.org . images of covers of famous banned books. Created by artist The roundtable discussion featured authors Bill McKibben, Stacy Carolyn Forsman, the bracelets are available in adult and children's Mitchell, and Michael Shuman, who talked about the unique role versions ($20/$15). (You can check out the bracelets and ABFFE's booksellers play in their communities, the Shop Local movement, FREADOM products 10 and download an order form 11 at abffe.com and the growing consumer awareness of the importance of locally 12 . owned independent businesses. McKibben is the author of Deep Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 to draw attention to the Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future growing number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and (Holt Paperbacks); Mitchell is the author of Big Box Swindle: The libraries. It is sponsored by ABFFE, ALA, the Association of True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for American's American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Independent Businesses (Beacon) and is senior researcher for the Authors, and the National Association of College Stores. Institute for Local Self-Reliance 6 ; and Shuman is the author of The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the During the past year, ABFFE has taken an increasingly active role Global Competition (Berrett-Koehler), is vice president of in fighting book censorship, according to Finan. It has joined the enterprise development for the Training & Development National Coalition Against Censorship in launching a Kids' Right Corporation, and is co-founder of the Business Alliance for Local to Read Project 13 , which employs a full-time staff member to write Living Economies 7 . letters to school boards and other public officials weighing book challenges. Working with booksellers, librarians, teachers, parents, Restaurateur Danny Meyer, author of Setting the Table: The and students, the project has already opposed the banning of 47 Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business and president of the books in 22 states. In one case, a principal in Louisville, Kentucky, Union Square Hospitality Group, gave an engaging talk about the ordered students in Advanced Placement English classes to stop importance of hospitality, staff training, and creating a memorable reading Toni Morrison's Beloved , when they were only 30 pages customer experience for restaurants -- and bookstores. from the end. Gary Hirshberg, author of Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and For further information about Banned Books Week, contact Save the World and president and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farms, ABFFE's Rebecca Zeidel at (212) 587-4025, ext. 13 or via e-mail passionately argued that it was possible for bookstores to be to [email protected] 14 . "green" and to increase profiles and profits. And, from the Winter Institute's festive author reception, many of BTW News Briefs the 38 writers who greeted booksellers and signed copies of their latest titles shared their thoughts about books that were especially July 17, 2008 -- Kay Ryan Named Poet Laureate important to them. Kay Ryan, whose works include Elephant Rocks , The Niagara River , and Flamingo Watching , will today be named the U.S. Poet Booksellers Urged to Celebrate Banned Laureate, according to a report in the New York Times 15 . She will Books Week: ABFFE Offers Array of succeed Charles Simic as the nation's 16th poet laureate. Resources The Times noted that Ryan, who is something of an outsider, has "won a carriage full of poetry prizes for her funny and July 17, 2008 -- philosophical work, including awards from the Guggenheim The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression 8 Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and in 1994, the (ABFFE) is urging booksellers to join in the only national Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, worth $100,000." celebration of the freedom to read -- Banned Books Week -- to be Ryan has published six books of poetry, and she has regularly held this year from September 27 through October 4. "Book contributed to The New Yorker , The Atlantic Monthly, and The censorship remains a serious problem in the U.S., and Banned New York Review of Books . Books Week is the way that most Americans hear about it," said ABFFE President Chris Finan. According to the American Library As poet laureate, one of her first duties will be an appearance at the Association (ALA), there were more than 400 challenges to books National Book Festival on September 27 in Washington, D.C., and in schools and libraries during 2007. she'll also kick off the Library of Congress's annual literary series on October 16. But, the Times noted, her own plans for her new To make it easy for booksellers to participate in the celebration, role as poet laureate have yet to be decided. ABFFE has created a Banned Books Week Handbook 9 , freely available at abffe.com. The handbook includes lists of banned and challenged books, great display ideas, and easy events, which are Trafalgar Square Publishing Adds Nine New Publishers inexpensive to put together and sure to draw customer attention. Trafalgar Square Publishing recently announced a distribution Banned Books Week posters that can be downloaded and arrangement with nine new publishers. Effective immediately, titles reproduced at a local copy shop for a nominal fee are also from the following publishers will be available exclusively through available. And links to other Banned Books Week resources Trafalgar Square Publishing: Alma Books; Angry Penguin Ltd.; include the ALA Banned Books Week Kit, which can be purchased Capuchin Classics; The History Press Ltd.; OneWorld for $50. Classics/Calder Publications; Piatkus Books; Pushkin Press; and ABFFE is also having a sale on its popular FREADOM products, Spy Publishing. including a new FREADOM bookmark (100 for $5) and small

Baker & Taylor Restructures Books Merchandise Buying Area the meeting. There's a cafe/bakery on the second floor of the Books 26 Baker & Taylor recently announced a restructuring of its Books Inc. building, and here's list of some other local establishments . Merchandise Buying area. The changes involve a paradigm shift to Category Buying to allow Baker & Taylor to "better serve its •Thursday, July 24 customers and respond to market changes," a company press 9:45 a.m. - 11:15 p.m., an East Bay gatherings at the offices of release noted. As part of the restructuring, Baker & Taylor is Pandora's Books (the offices for Pegasus and Pendragon Books 27 at implementing a Merchandise Buying Function and a Merchandise 1223 8th Street, off Gilman, Berkeley; 510-528-3254) Planning and Allocation Function. "The Merchandise Buyer function focuses on leveraging category 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., a San Francisco gathering at NCIBA's Office expertise as a sales advantage in the retail and library markets," 28 (At the Presidio, 1007 General Kennedy Avenue, San Francisco; David Cully, executive vice president of merchandising and 415-561-7686) president, retail markets, said in a statement. "Likewise, the •Friday, July 25 Merchandise Planner function focuses on data mining and 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., a North Bay gathering at River Reader statistical modeling to improve forecasting and reduce friction in (16355 Main Street, Guerneville; 707-869-2240) the supply chain." Booksellers planning to attend a gathering are asked to RSVP to IndieBound Info Sessions Set for July NCIBA at [email protected] 29 . July 16, 2008 -- As BTW 16 reported in June 17 , American Booksellers Association staff members are taking to the road this Madison, Wisconsin summer for a series of IndieBound 18 information sessions, where they'll answer questions, share ideas, and help booksellers position ABA and the Midwest Booksellers Association 30 invite bookstore their stores to take full advantage of the many opportunities that owners and staff to participate in an IndieBound information this exciting new movement affords. session, open to all ABA and MBA members. •Friday, July 25 Here are the 10 gatherings on the schedule for the remaining weeks 31 in July. 10:00 a.m. - Noon at the Wisconsin Historical Society (Murphy Board Room, 3rd Floor, 816 State Street on the lower campus of Great Lakes Area the University of Wisconsin, Madison)

ABA and the Great Lakes Booksellers Association 19 invite area Booksellers who are planning to attend are asked to RSVP to 32 bookstore owners and staff to a series of shoptalks in July, focusing [email protected] . on how to incorporate IndieBound in your store and your community. In addition, each GLBA session will include a preview Phoenix, Arizona of Paperback Dreams , a PBS documentary about independent bookstores, over lunch, and a discussion about independent ABA invites bookstore owners and staff to participate in an community-building through independent business alliances and IndieBound information session at ABA President Gayle Shanks' via technology. Changing Hands Bookstore. •Tuesday, July 22 •Monday, July 28 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Sacred Path Books and Art 20 (2242 Euclid 4:00 p.m. -5:15 p.m. at Changing Hands Bookstore 33 (6428 S. Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115; 216-774-0470) McClintock Drive, Tempe, Arizona; 480-730-0205) •Wednesday, July 23 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Zanzibar 21 (216 S. State Street, Ann Booksellers who are planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Arbor, Michigan 48104; 734-994-7777) ABA's Chief Marketing Officer Meg Smith at [email protected] 34 . •Thursday, July 24 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Anderson's Book Fair Warehouse 22 (520 N. Exchange Court, Aurora, Illinois 60504; 630-820-0044) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ABA and the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association 35 Booksellers planning to attend a gathering are asked to RSVP to 23 invite bookstore owners and staff to participate in an IndieBound [email protected] or 800-745-2460. information session, open to all ABA and NAIBA members. • Monday, July 28 Northern California 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m. in the Connan Room of the University Center at Carnegie Mellon 36 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ABA and the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association 24 invite bookstore owners and staff to participate in Booksellers who are planning to attend are asked to RSVP to one of four IndieBound information sessions, open to all ABA and [email protected] 37 or 516-333-0681. NCIBA members. Look for announcements about August's meetings in next week's •Wednesday, July 23 38 edition of BTW . And read this week's column by Guinevere Platt Noon - 2:00 p.m., a South Bay gathering at Books Inc., Mountain on last week's series of IndieBound info sessions in Southern View 25 (301 Castro Street, off Hwy. 85 between 101 and 280, California. Mountain View; 650-428-1234) NCIBA is encouraging booksellers to arrive a bit early and grab a takeout lunch in the area to bring to

8. Add an IndieBound logo to your store's newsletter (and posters, 10 Easy Steps to IndieBound and bookmarks, etc.), and include a feature on the movement. You July 16, 2008 -- The Literary Liberation Box provided a huge could tie it in to any of your own initiatives, or use the language amount of material to help booksellers use IndieBound to promote from the materials. Make it as simple or involved as you like. their stores ... and that may have left some wondering exactly 9. Send out a press release to local newspapers about IndieBound. where to start. Stephanie Anderson of Moravian Book Shop 39 in The localism movement is newsworthy, and it may help you build a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has helped ABA create an easy, 10-step connection with the local press. Use the templates in the Public guide, based on her experience introducing IndieBound to her Relations Primer 44 to get a head start. bookstore and to the surrounding community. Anderson said: "This has paid off handsomely for us! Beginning in August, we are going to be in the Sunday paper every week with a listing of our top five local bestsellers in 10 rotating categories -- free publicity that takes me an hour to do each week, in a paper with obscenely expensive advertising no less. They told me they'd been thinking about it anyway, but hearing from us again is what helped." 10. Put your name in the "Here's What You Just Did" editable PDF 45 and hang it on your door or use it as a bag stuffer. Remind your customers why it's so important to shop independent. Anderson said: You can resize them small enough (half-page) to 1. Share with your staff. Give everyone a copy of the IndieBound slide in the front of books as well. As part of our in-store green Fan Manual 40 and a few rally cards, bookmarks, and other initiative, we've started asking every customer if they need a bag, Liberation Box items to take home. Get them excited about all of and since over half answer no, the piece of paper needs to be small the new possibilities, and make sure they're comfortable explaining enough to tuck in the front of the book with a receipt." IndieBound to customers. This is definitely the most important step. Stephanie Anderson is assistant book buyer at Moravian Book Anderson said: "Yesterday I overheard a bookseller talking to a Shop 46 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She shares news and her customer who said, 'Yeah, I remembered you talking about indie thoughts about books, the goings-on at her store and other stores at the picnic the other day, so I made sure I came here today bookstores, and the books she reads on her blog, bookavore.com 47 to get this book.' If the staff is excited, they're even going to take it . outside the store, and that is awesome." 2. Hang your EAT SLEEP READ poster in a prominent window. RiverRun Invites Indies Nationwide to Passersby will definitely take notice. Join Reading Marathon Anderson said: "Also very true, and it draws people in." July 16, 2008 -- This October, RiverRun Bookstore 48 will be 3. Put a "We're IndieBound" decal on your door or in your window hosting its second "Great Expectations: A Reading Marathon" -- and give the extras to your independent retail neighbors. It's an (GERM), a 24-hour, customer read-a-thon. And now the easy way to start a conversation about promoting local businesses Portsmouth, New Hampshire, bookstore is inviting independent in your community. booksellers nationwide to take up the challenge, too. 4. Display the new Indie Next List 41 fliers along with your Next RiverRun created GERM last year to do its part to counter the List book display. A great chance to freshen up your decline in reading cited by the 2004 National Endowment for the 49 recommended-titles shelf. Arts survey, Reading at Risk . "We wanted to prove that people 42 still care about reading, and let them show their reading loyalties 5. Use the new Indie Bestseller Lists on your bestseller shelves or and simultaneously raise money for a local nonprofit," said the tables and display together with your local bestsellers. bookstore's events coordinator, Michele Filgate. "So Great 6. Create a display of titles that echo some aspect of the Expectations: A Reading Marathon was born.... It's a fun challenge IndieBound message. There's a list of recommended Shop Local that a lot of people are willing to take up!" 43 titles on BookWeb , but there are so many other books that get To participate, customers seek sponsors from among family and the same message across -- children's, cookbooks, science fiction. friends, and they're required to read at the bookstore for some, or Be as broad or as specific as you like! all, of the 24 hours. Participants can buy, borrow, or bring their Anderson said: "Note for smaller/mid-sized stores -- I know this is own books for the event. Proceeds are donated to a local charity. not necessarily the season to bring in multiples of titles, but we New this year is the effort to involve other bookstores across the have noticed that our 'IndieBound table' is selling through nicely, country. Jenn Northington, events coordinator at The King's so either bring in several copies of the books that you think will English 50 in Salt Lake City, has been helping RiverRun plan move, or be prepared to reorder." GERM as a national event 51 . Filgate said, "Other booksellers I've 7. If you're involved with an independent business alliance or local spoken to so far all seem excited about it, and I hope to get as many first group, display any of your local group signage with independent bookstores as possible on board with us!" IndieBound material to enhance the impact. Connect with your The emphasis of the event and its fundraising is community local groups about IndieBound -- send them some materials and involvement. "The idea here is to raise money for a local nonprofit brainstorm ways you can use IndieBound to promote your local of the bookstore's choice," Filgate explained. "Our nonprofit of initiative.

© 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 4 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK July 17, 2008 choice for our last read-a-thon was to the local middle school's Pasadena and finally Brentwood, SCIBA staff and ABA Homework Club. That got a lot of former Homework Club IndieBound Outreach Liaison Paige Poe spread the word on all members to come participate. It was great to see so many teens things business, fun, and independent! At four scheduled meetings, who care about reading participate in the read-a-thon!" numerous bookstore visits, and with lots of coffee, booksellers of The idea for Great Expectations came to Filgate last fall while she all genres gathered to learn and share ideas about one of the most was browsing book blogs and noticed that several were hosting important aspects of our jobs: Promoting localism and elevating reading marathons from home. Filgate and co-worker and awareness of its importance to our surrounding communities. co-collaborator on the original read-a-thon, Liberty Hardy, then During the course of the meetings, 75 booksellers, representing decided, why not try to hold one at the bookstore? more than 25 stores, shared ideas on a wide range of topics. How to 62 This year's event in Portsmouth will be held from 6:00 p.m. on incorporate IndieBound in stores and communities, using the SCIBA Holiday Catalog to increase sales, participating in the Friday, October 10, to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, at 63 RiverRun's used bookstore, SecondRun 52 . The bookstore will SoCalBookScene.com website, and using the Mentor Program to provide plenty of snacks, and give out prizes donated by local improve business were all on the table for discussion. Also put out businesses throughout the 24-hour-period. Prizes are given to those on the table (a bit more literally) was an assortment of promotional who raise the most money for charity and/or stay for the duration. items pertaining to Indiebound. Decorated with bookmarks, bags, "Oh, and some literary trivia in the middle of the night helps give buttons, rally cards, and T-shirts (not to mention coffee mugs filled people a break and stay awake," said Filgate. to the brim), meeting rooms were filled with the color RED! "We also have some local authors drop by and read from some of SCIBA's Executive Director, Jennifer Bigelow, began each meeting their own writing," she said, but she added a caveat. "The primary by introducing and thanking Amy Sandberg from Co-optimize for part of the read-a-thon, though, is people curled up in comfy chairs, helping to sponsor the event. The mic was then handed over to on couches, or on the floor, reading to themselves. This isn't a Sandberg, who presented her soon-to-be-launched web-based read-aloud marathon." software that will assist stores in claiming co-op money from publishers. (She will be demonstrating the software at the regional RiverRun invites indie bookstores around the country to sponsor trade show this fall). their own read-a-thon during any weekend in October. More information is available online 53 or by contacting Filgate at Bigelow then discussed the Holiday Catalog and how, if advertised [email protected] 54 . --Karen Schechner 55 correctly, it can help boost bottom-line results. She suggested that stores in nearby sub-cities use the catalog to their advantage and "join forces by printing up a single bulk shipment and saturating Nominations Needed for Banned Books the local papers with catalog insertions. Stores will then be Top Ten promoting one another and therefore making consumers more inclined to shop independent." Laguna Beach bookstores did this July 16, 2008 -- There is still time to nominate titles for the 2008 last year to great success! Member San Diego stores are already Banned Books Top Ten. looking at ways to utilize their proximity by uniting together on The Banned Books list is timed so that booksellers can use these catalog distribution for this coming season. titles and the list in conjunction with Banned Books Week displays Next on the agenda, (and the most lively discussion of all), was and related events. (Banned Books Week is scheduled this year for Paige Poe's lead-in to IndieBound. With a PowerPoint slideshow, September 27 to October 4.) The list features titles (both for adults she displayed various ways in which the contents of the Literary and for children) that have been banned or challenged in bookstores Liberation boxes could be put to use. And as the color red once and/or libraries. again took center stage, questions and innovative ideas circulated Booksellers can nominate hardcover and paperback titles, frontlist the room. When Poe asked what other IndieBound collateral and backlist, for the Banned Books list. Any ABA member booksellers would like to see, hands were raised and suggestions bookseller can e-mail nominations to [email protected] 56 were excitedly shouted. 57 , or they can use the convenient online nomination form . (The Rubber wristband bracelets, mouse pads, license plate holders, URL has changed for the online nomination form; so booksellers pencils, canvas bags, key chains, promotional chocolate ... and the are encouraged to bookmark the new URL.) list went on. According to the American Library Association, the list of the 10 While some stores have already displayed their enormous EAT most challenged titles for 2007 includes And Tango Makes Three , SLEEP READ posters, others are still in prep for near-future The Golden Compass , Olive's Ocean , and The Chocolate War . launch parties. (More information about Banned Books Week is available from ABFFE 58 and from ALA 59 ). With the IndieBound movement underway, we, as Independents, have come to realize that we are all bound not only by the "Indie Read more about resources for Banned Books Week in today's 60 Mind," but by the "Indie Soul." As booksellers across Southern issue . California shared their thoughts, concerns, suggestions, and interests, it was apparent that, although the ideas exchanged at each SCIBA & IndieBound on the Road meeting varied, the core theme remained the same. July 16, 2008 -- By Guinevere Platt As Independents, we are united, and together we can successfully move onward and upward -- "For the Love of Books." As the sun rose bright and early, so did the booksellers of Southern California who gathered last week for the Southern California 61 Guinevere Platt is POS assistant manager/periodicals buyer at Independent Booksellers Association's first annual series of Vroman's 64 in Pasadena and communications manager for the Summer Quencher Meetings. From San Diego, to Laguna Beach, to Southern California Independent Booksellers Association 65 .

a Breaking Dawn midnight event on August 1 to celebrate the Linden Tree Children's Recordings and release of the last title in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series (Little, Books: A Community Treasure Brown Young Readers). The Ronbergs have begun Linden Tree's conversion from Book Sense to IndieBound by putting the EAT July 16, 2008 -- This past May, Linden Tree Children's Recordings SLEEP READ poster in the window in time for the Los Altos Arts 66 and Books , which grew out of a children's music business that & Wine Festival, and they plan to bring IndieBound materials to owners Linda and Dennis Ronberg launched in 1981, was honored the local business alliance in Los Altos. For the rest of the business, as the California 11th Senate District's Small Business of the Year. however, there are no other significant changes on the horizon. California state senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who made the Instead, both of the Ronbergs are just enjoying what they've built announcement, cited Linden Tree for doing so much more than for themselves and the community. "We've had a lot of fun," said selling books and music. "It introduces our young people to the Dennis Ronberg. "One reason we've been so successful is because joys of reading and art and serves as a community gathering place," Linda and I put so much of our life into it." -- Karen Schechner 67 he said. "And the Ronbergs still find time outside of their working hours to give back to Los Altos and the Bay Area. Our independent bookstores are a valued community asset, and Linden Tree in Bookstore Sales Up Again in May particular is a real treasure." July 15, 2008 -- Preliminary figures recently released by the The Ronbergs began the business by teaching the importance of Bureau of the Census reflect an increase in bookstore sales in May music for children and selling records and cassettes out of their 2008 of 2.6 percent, compared to May 2007. May 2008 bookstore home in Tacoma, Washington. In 1984, they opened their first sales are estimated at $1,154 million, compared to sales of $1,125 storefront location in Los Altos, California, and decided to add million for the same period last year. books to the mix. They've since moved and expanded the business, The Census Bureau also adjusted its preliminary estimates of April and today it's known for a wide ranging selection of both 2008 bookstore sales upward to $1,002 million, putting them at 8.2 recordings and children's literature. percent above April 2007. Linden Tree is rooted in the Ronberg's interest in children's Overall total retail and food service sales were also up in May. education. Linda Ronberg has a degree in early childhood Preliminary estimates of retail sales were $405.4 billion in May education, and, she explained, both she and Dennis wanted to 2008, compared to $395.5 billion in May 2007, an increase of 2.5 provide quality children's recordings to parents and teachers. The percent. business was originally named Linden International ("Linden" being a combination of their names, and the "International" Period 2007 Final 2008 % Change signifying that many of the recordings were by Canadian children's (Millions of (Millions of 2008 Over 2007 singers. The Ronbergs were the first to bring Canadian children's Dollars) Dollars) recording artists Raffi and Sharon, Lois & Bram to perform concerts in Seattle and Tacoma.) January 2,195 2,285 4.1 When the Ronbergs moved Linden International moved from Tacoma to a 950-square-foot location in Los Altos, they renamed February 1,030 1,144 11.1 the business Linden Tree Children's Recordings & Books. The business now occupies a 2,700-square-foot space with large picture March 1,019 1,019 0.0 windows on a corner in Los Altos, just five blocks from its first storefront. About their overall aesthetic Dennis Ronberg said, April 926 1,002 8.2 "We've included subtle things people usually don't think about. We try to use full spectrum lighting -- it makes a big difference. In the May 1,125 1,154 2.6 other space we had a screeching yellow, this one is a peachy color. It's much more calming, and sets a better tone." YTD 6,295 6,604 (p) 4.9 The business landscape, as well as the educational landscape, has shifted since they first opened in '84. "Recordings seems to go (p) Preliminary figure down every year," said Ronberg. "People buy stuff online, and Note: Estimates reflect sales of all types of participating bookstore, many parents don't see the value of music because they no longer including trade, college, religious, chain stores (including have music programs in schools." superstores), and others. A bookstore is defined as any retail The store still offers music, but of its approximately 30,000 titles, establishment with sales comprised of more than 50 percent new the inventory mix is about 60 percent books with 15 percent books and periodicals, and estimates include sales of all products in recordings; the rest is divided among sidelines. The emphasis is on these stores. early childhood books, picture books, early readers, and science and math titles. Linden Tree also offers a selection of parenting Olsson's Files for Chapter 11 titles as well as a Book Sense, but soon-to-be IndieBound, section of adult titles. Sidelines are typically educational and include Bankruptcy Protection puppets and book-related dolls, tea sets, science and math games, July 15, 2008 -- On June 15, Olsson's Books & Records 68 toys, art materials, origami paper, water toys, paper dolls, infant announced that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in and toddler toys, puzzles, puppets, cards, and toys. an effort to reorganize and return to profitability. Olsson's filing in Linden Tree hosts a full events calendar, including weekly summer U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Maryland lists $929,428 in assets morning concerts and sing-a-longs in the store's courtyard, which and $1,951,629 in liabilities. often draw crowds of a hundred or more. The store is also planning A company statement noted that "the reasons for filing were a

© 2008 American Booksellers Association. http://news.bookweb.org/ 6 BOOKSELLING THIS WEEK July 17, 2008 combination of the continuing weak retail economy, rising rents sessions, will answer participants' general questions about the and property taxes, competition from large box stores and the business, as well as detailed questions about the start-up process. Internet, and an accelerated drop in the music CD business." Session 1, "Retail Bookselling: Creating Foundations for Success," John Olsson, the business' principal owner, explained that, on Monday and Tuesday, will examine: "although the company has attempted to manage the situation to • How to assess whether a community will support an independent remain solvent, regrettably after considering all available bookstore alternatives, the company determined Chapter 11 was the best way • Ways successful booksellers compete in today's market to maintain operations while implementing a plan for successful • How much it will cost to implement a prospective bookseller's restructuring." vision Terence McCann, Olsson's controller, said the reorganization plan • Bookstore financial dynamics -- why some bookstores are "involves raising working capital, seeking investors, reducing profitable and others aren't overhead costs, adding new merchandise, refurbishing stores, • How long it will take to open retaining leases where achievable, or relocating to communities At Session 2, "Ready, Set, Open for Business: Planning & Store that will support the concept of an independent bookstore." Set-up," from Wednesday through Friday, participants will learn: Olsson's, which at one time had nine stores in the Washington, • Insider's tips on bookstore design, fixtures, lighting, and D.C. metro area, currently has five retail stores: Reagan National merchandising Airport, Alexandria, two in Arlington, and one in northwest • Ways to order an opening inventory Washington, D.C. • How to buy and manage inventory once the store has opened On June 28, the Washington Post 69 reported that Random House, • What book industry resources are essential to a successful business Penguin Group, and Hachette Book Group were seeking to have the U.S. Bankruptcy Court place Olsson's in involuntary Chapter 7 • What to look for in a computerized bookstore management bankruptcy to force the company to liquidate. system • Marketing and grand opening strategies, publisher co-op, and more Obama Countdown Clock: Another Sizzlin' Sideline? More information and a registration form about the workshop, facilitated by Donna Paz Kaufman and Mark Kaufman and 70 71 July 15, 2008 -- Two years ago , Bookshop Santa Cruz unveiled co-sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, are the George Bush Countdown Clock, which became a top-selling available at www.pazbookbiz.com 77 . sideline for the bookstore in the liberal-leaning Santa Cruz community, and for other indie bookstores across the country. Now, Bookshop Santa Cruz has created a spin-off -- the Mark Your Calendars: The Fall Regional Countdown to President Obama Hope Clock. Trade Shows Bookshop Santa Cruz fully expects that Obama will be sworn in as July 14, 2008 -- This year's fall regional trade show schedule the 44th U.S. President, and the clock counts down the days, hours, begins in the Pacific Northwest on Monday, September 15, and minutes, and seconds until that happens. The face of the clock ends on Saturday, October 18, in Southern California. In the month reads "Countdown to President Obama" and includes a quotation in between, there will be seven shows, and each will offer regional from the senator: "We are the change we have been waiting for." association members a great mix of education, author events, and The bookstore is selling the Obama Countdown Clock in-store and news of upcoming titles. online at www.bookshopsantacruz.com 72 and www.hopeclock.com Here's a look at the schedule. Further details can be found on the 73 for $9.95, and it's donating 10 percent of the profits to the Obama regional association websites. for President Campaign. Great Lakes Booksellers Association Trade Show and Store owner Casey Coonerty Protti said that Bookshop Santa Cruz Conference has sold more than 63,000 George Bush Countdown Clocks since 78 Friday, October 3 - Sunday, October 5, at the Hyatt Regency in 2006, garnering the business over a half a million dollars in Dearborn, Michigan (metropolitan Detroit area) revenue. Midwest Booksellers Association Trade Show 79 Other booksellers who are interested in selling Obama Countdown Thursday, September 25 - Saturday, September 27, at the Roy Clocks should contact Bookshop Santa Cruz at Wilkins Auditorium at RiverCentre, plus nearby venues in [email protected] 74 or (831) 460-3221. Downtown St. Paul, Minnesota Coonerty Protti and the Countdown Clock were recently featured in Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association the Santa Cruz Sentinel 75 . Trade Show 80 Wednesday, September 17 - Saturday, September 20, at the Workshop for New & Prospective Crowne Plaza Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado Booksellers in September New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association Conference 81 July 14, 2008 -- The Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Sunday, September 21 - Monday, September 22, at the Holiday Inn 76 Associates will be conducting an intensive workshop -- Opening Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill, New Jersey a Bookstore: The Business Essentials -- from Monday, September 8, through Friday, September 12, on Amelia Island (near New England Independent Booksellers Association Trade Show Jacksonville, Florida). The program, which is divided into two 82

Thursday, September 18 - Saturday, 20, at the Hynes Convention or (503) 475-5499. Center, Boston, Massachusetts Northern California Independent Booksellers Association All Regular ABA Member Bookstores in good standing may 83 Friday, October 3 - Sunday, October 5, at the Oakland Convention Center, Oakland Marriott City Center in Oakland, have up to four 2-week Classified Ad insertions per year in California Bookselling This Week at no charge (50-word limit). For more information on booking a classified ad, click here 92 . Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Trade Show 84 Monday, September 15 - Wednesday, September 17, at the Airport Holiday Inn, Portland, Oregon Other Advertising Southern California Independent Booksellers Association Authors Feast & Trade Show The Great American Bargain Book Show 93 85 Saturday, October 18, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Register now! Angeles, California Cobb Galleria 86 Atlanta, GA Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance August 1 - 2 Friday, September 26 - Sunday, September 28, at the Marriott Renaissance in Mobile, Alabama Aberrations Penelope Przekop Sometimes the gifts we receive are not what we want... Emerald Book Company 978-1-934572-03-0 www.penelopeprzekop.com 94

Caregiving 101 Classifieds Starr Calo-oy Orchard Publications POSITIONS OPEN 978-0-9753195-3-6 The Norwich Bookstore in Norwich, Vermont (near Hanover NH www.caregiversadvice.net 95 and Dartmouth College) is looking for an Assistant Manager . This is a new position. Applicant must be a self-starter, detail Back to school 2008 shopping list: oriented, computer literate, a reader, and able to multi-task. 1. Backpack Responsible for many facets of bookselling including sales, staff, 2. Pencils scheduling, events, website maintenance, and general store 3. 5-subject notebook operations. This is a full-time salaried position requiring weekend 4. New shoes work. We offer partial health insurance, vacation pay, retirement, 5. The Jitters and generous discounts. Please send resume, cover letter, and 90 First Day Jitters salary requirements to: [email protected] , or The Julie Danneberg & Judy Love Norwich Bookstore, PO Box 307, Norwich, VT 05055 attn. Liza 978-1-58089-061-8 PB $6.95 Bernard. 978-1-58089-054-0 HC $16.95 The class that reads together reads forever! BOOKSTORE FOR SALE Charlesbridge 96 Bookstore For Sale. Well-established & respected bookstore just outside Portland, OR. Located in prime retail location of renovated houses. Espresso cafe and preschool as neighbors. Solid local customer base and great internet business with unique niche servicing customers worldwide with signed books. Turnkey. Owner selling due to family health issues. Contact: [email protected] 91

Links in this document: 1. See http://www.awb.com/catalog/default.php 2. See https://www.lightningsource.com/ 3. See mailto:[email protected] 4. See mailto:[email protected] 5. See http://www.bookweb.org/events/institute.html#wi3videos 6. See http://www.newrules.org/ 7. See http://www.livingeconomies.org 8. See http://www.abffe.com 9. See http://www.abffe.com/bbw-handbook2007.htm 10. See http://www.abffe.com/bbw-sale.htm#bracelets 11. See http://www.abffe.com/bbw-order2008.pdf

12. See http://www.abffe.com 13. See http://www.abffe.com/KR2R.pdf 14. See mailto:[email protected] 15. See http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/books/17poet.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin 16. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6153 17. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6153 18. See http://www.bookweb.org/indiebound/ 19. See http://www.books-glba.org/index00.php 20. See http://www.sacredpathbooks.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp 21. See http://www.zanzibarannarbor.com/index.php?page=location 22. See http://www.andersonsbookshop.com/Directions.php 23. See mailto:[email protected] 24. See http://www.nciba.com/ 25. See http://www.booksinc.net/NASApp/store/IndexJsp?page=275903&s=storeinfo 26. See http://www.mountainviewca.net/downtownmv.html 27. See http://pegasus.booksense.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp 28. See http://www.nciba.com/contact/index.html 29. See mailto:[email protected] 30. See http://www.midwestbooksellers.org/ 31. See http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/about/visit/ 32. See mailto:[email protected] 33. See http://www.changinghands.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp 34. See mailto:[email protected] 35. See http://www.newatlanticbooks.com/ 36. See http://www.cmu.edu/index.shtml 37. See mailto:[email protected] 38. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/5550 39. See http://www.moravianbookshop.com 40. See http://bookweb.org/files/open/pdf/indiebound/IndieBoundFanManual.pdf 41. See http://www.bookweb.org/indiebound/nextlist 42. See http://bookweb.org/indiebound/bestsellers/national 43. See http://bookweb.org/files/open/pdf/shoplocal/list.pdf 44. See http://bookweb.org/files/bookstore/pdf/indiebound/IndieBound%20Public%20Relations%20Primer.pdf 45. See http://bookweb.org/identitymanager/diy/hereswhat.jsp 46. See http://www.moravianbookshop.com/ 47. See http://bookavore.com 48. See http://www.riverrunbookstore.com 49. See http://www.nea.gov/news/news04/readingatrisk.html 50. See http://kingsenglish.booksense.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp 51. See http://riverrunevents.googlepages.com/ 52. See http://secondrunbookstore.com/default.aspx 53. See http://riverrunevents.googlepages.com/ 54. See mailto:[email protected] 55. See mailto:[email protected] 56. See mailto:[email protected] 57. See http://www.bookweb.org/indiebound/nextlist/nominate 58. See http://www.abffe.com/bbw-booklist.htm 59. See http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.cfm 60. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/6175 61. See http://www.scibabooks.org/ 62. See http://www.bookweb.org/indiebound.html 63. See http://www.socalbookscene.com/ 64. See http://www.vromansbookstore.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp 65. See http://www.scibabooks.org 66. See http://www.lindentreebooks.com 67. See mailto:[email protected] 68. See http://www.olssons.com/ 69. See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/27/AR2008062703194.html

70. See http://news.bookweb.org/read/4090 71. See http://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp 72. See http://www.bookshopsantacruz.com 73. See http://www.hopeclock.com 74. See mailto:[email protected] 75. See http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_9885073 76. See http://www.pazbookbiz.com/ 77. See http://www.pazbookbiz.com/ 78. See http://www.books-glba.org/tradeshow.php 79. See http://www.midwestbooksellers.org/tradeshow.html 80. See http://www.mountainsplains.org/tradeshow.aspx 81. See http://www.newatlanticbooks.com/trade_show.asp 82. See http://www.newenglandbooks.org/ 83. See http://www.nciba.com/ 84. See http://www.pnba.org/show.htm 85. See http://www.scibabooks.org/afats08/ 86. See http://www.sibaweb.com/trade-show 87. See mailto:[email protected] 88. See mailto:[email protected] 89. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/ads/booksellers.html 90. See mailto:[email protected] 91. See mailto:[email protected] 92. See http://www.bookweb.org/about/ads/booksellers.html 93. See http://www.gabbs.net/ 94. See http://www.penelopeprzekop.com 95. See http://www.caregiversadvice.net 96. See http://www.charlesbridge.com