Help Wanted: Bookseller Input Sought for 2007 Education Programming

The owners and staff of all American Bookseller Association member stores can help formulate the association's 2007 education program through participation in the 2006 ABA Education Survey. Member survey responses are being compiled to provide guidance to the bookseller volunteers on ABA's Education Task Force who will convene this fall to plan the association's 2007 education offerings.

"Providing independent booksellers with access to the education, information, and business services they need to succeed in a changing world is the number-one goal of ABA's Strategic Plan," explained Len Vlahos, the association's director of education. "For the past two years, we've asked for member input and have used it to create the highly successful education programs at BookExpo America, the Winter Institute, the regional trade shows, and the spring forums. Now, we're beginning to develop plans for 2007, and we're again asking for member input to identify and prioritize programs that will be of the most help to the greatest number of booksellers."

The survey can be completed in just a few minutes online or via downloadable PDF. Survey forms were also included in the August Red Box mailing to store with Book Sense. To allow time for compilation of the results, booksellers are asked to submit the survey no later than Tuesday, September 5. All responses will be kept confidential.

Booksellers participating in the survey are eligible for a random drawing to win airfare and hotel accommodations to attend ABA's Second Annual Winter Education Institute to be held in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday and Friday, February 1 and 2, 2007.