Judy Crosby has been named president of the New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA). Her new responsibilities will include maintaining NEIBA educational programming, print and electronic publications and overseeing the organization’s annual trade show. Crosby owns and operates Island Books, the only independent bookstore on Aquidneck Island and one of approximately 12 such stores statewide.
PBN: In your experience, what are some of the trends that you have seen in independent book selling and what does the future holds for how books are sold?
CROSBY: I opened Island Books in 1993 when independents were strong. The rest of the [decade] and the early part of this decade saw a lot of independent stores close as chains opened more stores across the country and people became comfortable buying on the Internet. Not only do independents have the national bookstore chains and the Internet to compete with, but books are now sold everywhere – Wal-Mart, Target, BJ’s, Costco and even Starbucks. That said, well-run independent bookstores can survive and thrive in this environment because an appreciation for independents that know their customers, and their books, is growing. Our national trade association, the American Booksellers Association (ABA) has for three years running seen more than 100 newly opened stores join the association. So, not only are existing stores thriving, but new stores are entering the mix.
PBN: What new collaborations would be ideal for independent sellers?
CROSBY: As part of NEIBA’s strategic plan adopted in the fall of 2006, we made a commitment to help booksellers raise consumer awareness of the benefits of supporting local independent businesses by offering its members grants for established or developing Independent Business Alliances (IBAs). So far we have granted over $16,000 to seven organizations – all of which have booksellers as founding members [and] as leaders of the organizations. Just last month at our national trade show, the ABA announced its new “IndieBound” initiative. The program is designed to unite booksellers, readers, independent retailers, local business alliances and others in support of local activism and local economies.
PBN: The New England Independent Booksellers Association has over 500 members representing more than 350 bookstores across New England. What is the NEIBA trade show like?
CROSBY: The trade show defines NEIBA in the minds of many of our members. The venue changes from year to year and [for] 2008’s show we’ll be at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Though we have had successful shows here in Providence over the past decade, we are considering Hartford next year. On the trade show floor there are about 1000 booksellers and we count more than 100 national and regional publishers among our exhibitors and sponsors of our events. The trade show always has a strong education component, with workshops geared towards helping member stores become more successful. Trade show events may include nuts-and-bolts financial programming from the ABA, updates on our Shop Local initiatives that have sprouted up throughout New England, ‘green retailing’ workshops, author event planning and a variety of other options. When there is a need for information from its membership, NEIBA helps facilitate access through the trade shows and content on the Web site. •
