The New England Independent Booksellers Association is the trade association for the retail book industry in New England. Serving independent booksellers for thirty-four years, NEIBA has over 500 members representing more than 350 bookstores.

NEIBA enjoys the loyalty and active participation of enthusiastic members who support the organization’s mission: “to further the success of professional independent booksellers in New England and to foster a vital and supportive bookselling community.”

PURPOSE

NEIBA promotes independent bookselling in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont) through an annual trade show, educational programming, print and electronic publications and a variety of other resources and promotional programs. NEIBA is governed by an elected Board of Officers that meets regularly with the Advisory Council and Executive Director.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to individuals and organizations involved in the marketing, distribution and retail sale of books in New England. Booksellers, publishers, sales representatives, wholesalers, vendors of bookstore supplies and services and prospective booksellers are members. NEIBA welcomes members from outside New England.

Dues are $125 per membership for storefront independent bookstores & New England Sales Reps and $150 for all others. The membership year runs from July 1 through June 30.

Benefits of membership include:

•  A vote on all matters of business brought to the general membership
•  Two free admissions to the trade show
•  A subscription to the members-only list serv
•  A quantity of free holiday catalogs for your store
•  A listing of your independent bookstore on the NEIBA website and links to independent member stores’ sites
•  Posting of your industry classifieds on the NEIBA website
•  Reduced fees for NEIBA - sponsored educational seminars
•  Free consultation and mentoring from professional booksellers
•  Promotional materials for the New England Book Awards

PROJECTS & ACTIVITIES

Annual Meeting and Trade Show:
Held in the fall, the trade show provides an exciting forum for the display of new titles and the exchange of information about bookselling and books. Booksellers from throughout New England and New York and publishers from all across the nation attend.

NEIBA Holiday Catalog:
To promote giving books as gifts during the holidays, over 1.1 million catalogs are distributed to consumers in New England with independent member bookstores listed as the source for advertised titles. In 2009 the catalog was inserted into 107 newspapers.

Independent Bookstore Advocacy:
NEIBA advocates for a level playing field for all book retailers and promotes media and public awareness of the importance of independent bookstores to our communities and to our culture.

Education:
Shoptalks and workshops focusing on topics of professional interest to booksellers are held during the year at various New England locations.

List Serve:
NEIBA and NECBA Yahoo Groups

Networking:
NEIBA membership offers booksellers and other book industry personnel easy access to a network of professional connections. The NEIBA listserv reaches members instantly with time-sensitive announcements and news.

newenglandbooks.org:
NEIBA’s website serves the professional and organizational needs of the members of the association and promotes industry and public appreciation of the diversity of independent bookselling in New England.

New England Children’s Booksellers Advisory Council:
Open to any member actively involved in children’s bookselling, the Council meets three times a year to represent the interests of this important specialty.

New England Book Awards:
NEIBA sponsors this annual recognition of New England literary talent in the categories of fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and publishing.

Regional Bestseller List:
In collaboration with the American Booksellers Association NEIBA publishes the Indie Bestseller List based on sales from participating stores in New England and New York.

Peer Review Program:
In-store visits from fellow booksellers who will assist with budgeting, merchandising, buying, coop, staffing and general operations.

NEIBA Grants:
Established to help members develop effective local independent business alliances within their communities and give them the tools to shift consumer culture toward supporting locally-owned, independent businesses.

The Right to Read:
Joining with other organizations and groups in working for literacy and First Amendment rights, NEIBA serves as an advocate for the rights of booksellers and the general public.

Resource Center:
The NEIBA office acts as a resource center by providing information about the retail book industry in New England to members, the media and the general public.