Enhancement Allows Uploading of Files to BookWeb's Education Forum

ABA member booksellers may now share Word files, PDFs, and other documents relating to professional development through a simple upload process on BookWeb's Idea Exchange Education Forum. ABA has enabled this function to allow booksellers to share ideas, best business practices, forms, lists, and other resource materials that may exist in different formats.

"ABA developed this file upload feature as part of its ongoing commitment to find as many ways as possible to bring education and professional development content to our members," said the head of ABA's education program, Len Vlahos.

The idea for the file upload originated with ABA's Education Task Force, a group of booksellers that meets periodically to advise the staff on matters related to the Association's education program. The task force recognized the benefits to member booksellers of having a place to easily share documents, such as business forms, staff training manuals, and event planning guides.

When appropriate, ABA staff will also post information of an educational nature through the forum upload feature.

Attaching documents to an Education Forum posting is simple: A bookseller creates a posting in the usual manner, but now below the text box is an option to attach a file. When this is clicked off, and the bookseller clicks on "Post a New Thread" or "Reply to This Thread," he or she will then be presented with a screen that allows the attachment of a file in just a few easy steps.

Attached files will not automatically appear in the forum, as ABA staff must review and approve documents before they are uploaded. Attachments will be reviewed by staff to make sure that they comply with BookWeb's "Website Statement, Policies, and Forum Agreement."

"The Idea Exchange forums were created to give booksellers a place to share information that would help them create and maintain a well-run business," said Vlahos. "With the launch of this new feature, we hope even more of our members will recognize the educational opportunities the forum dialogues provide." --Rosemary Hawkins