Welcome to NEIBA!
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 $100 per membership
for storefront independent bookstores and $125 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
- Four free admissions to the trade show
- A subscription to the members-only
electronic bulletin board
- A listing of your independent bookstore
in the NEIBA Holiday Catalog and a quantity of free
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
- A listing in and a copy of the
annual NEIBA Membership and Bookstore Directory
- A listing of
your independent bookstore in the “Directory
of Independent Member Bookstores” section of
the Directory.
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 1.3
million catalogs are distributed to consumers in New England
with independent member bookstores listed as the source for
advertised titles. In 2007 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.
Networking:
NEIBA membership offers booksellers and other book industry personnel
easy access to a network of professional connections. Members
receive the annual Membership and Bookstore Directory. Bookseller
volunteers are on call to give advice to bookstores. 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.
