ABACUS-10 Data Gathering Ends Monday

ABA members have only a few days left to submit their 2010 financial data to this year’s ABACUS Survey. Data gathering for ABACUS-10 comes to an end at midnight on Monday, August 15.

Each ABA member store must use their unique survey I.D. number, sent in an e-mail from Martha Love of the National Association of College Stores OnCampus Research, to log onto the survey. The submission process is completely secure and confidential, and store data is only accessible to Love, the person responsible for compiling reports once again this year, the second under the American Booksellers Association’s partnership with NACS. Booksellers with questions about completing the survey should e-mail or call Love at (800) 622-7498, ext. 2448. General questions about ABACUS should be directed to ABA COO Len Vlahos via e-mail or at (800) 637-0037 ext. 6650.

The ABACUS-10 Survey will provide participating booksellers with a free customized report with more detailed comparisons than previous surveys regarding crucial areas affecting their bookstores’ bottom line. Changes to the survey, including the expanded use of charts and graphs, are the result of feedback and suggestions from booksellers on ABA’s ABACUS Task Force. Customized reports will be sent to participating stores in the late fall.

Booksellers at stores that submit their 2010 financial data to ABACUS can apply for the Avin Mark Domnitz Scholarship to the 2011 Winter Institute by sending an e-mail with “Domnitz Scholarship” in the subject line to ABA Education Manager Lisa Winn; the e-mail should include the applicant’s name, staff title, store name, and store contact information. The scholarship covers travel expenses up to $350, and up to a four-night stay at the Winter Institute host hotel. Wi7 will be held in New Orleans from Wednesday through Friday, January 18 - 20, 2012.