SCBA Welcomes Members of Disbanding SCCBA

The Southern California Booksellers Association (SCBA) is offering a one-year free membership to all members of the disbanding Southern California Children's Booksellers Association (SCCBA) who are not currently members of SCBA.

SCBA Executive Director Jennifer Bigelow noted that SCCBA members who accept the regional's offer will receive "the many benefits of membership, including use of the California Author and Bookstore Event website; a store listing in the second edition of the 2006 Southern California Guide to Independent Bookstores; unlimited, imprinted copies of the SCBA Holiday Catalog -- children's only edition, as well as the general edition; and participation in The Spoken Word radio program."

Bigelow also noted that this year's SCBA Authors Feast & Trade Show will reflect an increase in children's programming and exhibitors.

"SCBA wants to assure the area's children's booksellers that there is a regional association to support their efforts," said Bigelow.

PW Daily reported that SCCBA is disbanding "because it could not find anyone willing to take over the group's leadership. In March, SCCBA president Jody Fickes Shapiro sold her bookstore Adventures for Kids in Ventura, California, to Barbara O'Grady, a new owner, and announced she would retire at the end of the year. When no one stepped up to take over the association leadership, the approximately one dozen members voted to disband."

Booksellers interested in the SCBA offer should contact the regional association at office@scbabooks.org.