Trade association for independent bookstores
The American Booksellers Association (ABA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1900 that promotes independent bookstores in the United States. ABA's core members are key participants in their communities' local economy and culture, and to assist them ABA creates relevant programs; provides education, information, business products, and services; and engages in public policy and industry advocacy. The Association actively supports and defends free speech and the First Amendment rights of all Americans, without contradiction of equity and inclusion, through the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression.[6] A volunteer board of 10 booksellers governs the Association. Previously headquartered in White Plains, New York, ABA became a fully remote organization in 2024.[7]
Membership
The ABA's membership has varied over time:
- 1991 — 5,200 members[8]
- 1995 — 5,500 members with 7000 stores[9]
- 1998 — 3,300 members[8]
- 2000 — 3,100 members with 4000 stores[9]
- 2001 — 2,794 members[10]
- 2002 — 2,191 members[10]
- 2005 — 1,702 members,[11] "more than 90" member bookstores opened[12]
- 2006 — 97 member bookstores opened[12]
- 2007 — 115 member bookstores opened[13]
- 2008 — ABA published no data
- 2009 — 1,401 members[14] with 1,651 stores,[15] 40 member bookstores opened,[16] 26 of which were listed by Google Maps as "permanently closed" in December 2018.
- 2010 — 1,410 members, first increase in almost two decades.[14] 26 member bookstores opened,[17] 14 of which were listed as "permanently closed" on Google Maps as of December 2018.
- 2011 — 1,512 members with stores in 1823 locations,[18] 41 member bookstores opened,[19] Used bookstores are now eligible for membership, annual dues of smaller stores are lowered.[20]
- 2012 — 1,567 members with stores in 1,900 locations,[21] 43 member bookstores opened,[22] 17 of which were listed as "permanently closed" on Google Maps in December 2018.
- 2013 — 1,632 members with stores in 1,971 locations,[23] 45 member bookstores opened,[24] 16 of which were listed as "permanently closed" on Google Maps in December 2018.
- 2014 — 1,664 members with stores in 2,094 locations,[15] 59 member bookstores opened,[25] 15 of which were no longer members and listed as "permanently closed" on Google Maps in December 2018.
- 2015 — 1,712 members with stores in 2,227 locations,[15] 61 member bookstores opened,[26] 14 of which were listed as "permanently closed" on Google Maps in December 2018, 3 others are marked "online only" in ABA's list.
- 2016 — 87 member bookstores opened[27]
- 2017 — 75 member bookstores opened[28]
- 2018 — 1,835 members with stores in 2,470 locations,[29] 99 member bookstores opened[30]
- 2019 — 1,887 members with stores in 2,524 locations,[31] 111 member bookstores opened[32]
- 2020 — no numbers published
- 2021 — 1,700 members with stores in 2,100 locations[33]
- 2022 — 2,178 members with stores in 2,593 locations[34]
The ABA sponsored the Book Sense marketing program and associated BookSense.com web site, intended to preserve a connection between consumers and local independent bookstores. In June 2008, Book Sense was replaced by IndieBound, a new program and website.[35]
Association of Booksellers for Children
In November, 2010, the Association of Booksellers for Children (ABC), a non-profit trade association supporting the business of independent children's bookselling, agreed to merge with the American Booksellers Association.[36] The former ABC is now a membership group within the ABA.[37]
