User:Ivesn2/sandbox

SCSU Political Participation 329-01

thumb|right|200px|Logo of the American Booksellers Association. The American Booksellers Association (ABA) is a non-profit industry association founded in 1900 that promotes independent bookstores in the United States and Canada. The ABA and its members support freedom of speech, literacy, and programs that encourage reading. Many independent booksellers are concerned about the potential negative impact on free speech by giant megachains and nationwide web retailers. The concern is that publishers cater to these retailers and that control over what books, and hence what ideas, are available will ultimately rest in the hands of these few companies.

In recent years, the membership of the ABA has been decreasing after a peak in 1991, when there were 5,200 members. In 1995 there were 5,500 members with 7,000 stores; in 1998, 3,300 members; in 2000, 3,100 members with 4,000 stores; in 2001, 2,794 members; in 2002 2,191 members; and in 2005 1,702 members. In 2010 the number of members increased for the first time in almost two decades, with membership at 1,410, up 9 from the previous year.

In recent years, the ABA has released figures showing the number of new member bookstores to counter media reports of bookstore closings, with 97 opening in 2006; 115 stores opened in 2007.

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. After a period of beta testing, a social network-style community feature was launched on the website on September 11, 2008.