ABA announces Bookseller Relief Fund

The American Booksellers Association announced that it is creating a Bookseller Relief fund to assist independent bookstores affected by Hurricane Katrina. Checks should be made payable to ABA/Bookseller Relief Fund and mailed to the ABA’s office at 200 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Please write “Bookseller Relief” on the outside of the envelope.

“Our hearts go out to all those devastated by Katrina, and we want to do whatever we can to help. We know many in the book industry feel the same way, and are looking for ways to offer assistance,” said ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz.

In a related note, several stores from around the county have also indicated their willingness to house and/or employ booksellers whose stores are unlikely to be able to reopen anytime soon. Anyone willing to take in or to employ a displaced bookseller is asked to contact ABA’s director of special projects, David Walker, at (800) 637-0037, ext. 6612 or davidw@bookweb.org.

The ABA has also set up mechanisms for dispensing business-related advice to affected booksellers. For example, the ABA made an offer to member stores in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi to talk to suppliers about extending credit terms for unsold or damaged inventory or about getting re-supplied with books. For business advice, contact either Domnitz or Walker.