Ingram Names Winter Institute Scholarship Recipient

Valerie Koehler of Blue Willow Bookshop [1] in Houston, Texas, has been named the recipient of a Winter Institute scholarship sponsored by the Ingram Content Group, the lead sponsor of the American Booksellers Association’s sixth annual education event.

 “Ingram Content Group is proud to be a long-time supporter of the American Booksellers Association and independent bookselling. We are delighted to champion the educational programs developed by ABA for their members, including their popular Winter Institute,” said David “Skip” Prichard, president and CEO, Ingram Content Group. “It is an honor to work with the ABA on their Winter Institute scholarship program, offering deserving booksellers the opportunity to attend the conference and further their experience in the art of bookselling.”

Koehler, who was informed of her award by Ingram this week, told BTW: “It’s a wonderful Christmas present! I appreciate Ingram’s support of the Winter Institute, as it is always invigorating and inspiring to attend. I’m looking forward to D.C.”

 Koehler is among 35 booksellers will be attending the 2011 Winter Institute in Washington, D.C. on scholarship. In November, ABA announced the recipients of 31 publisher-sponsored scholarships [2], as well as the winners of the Candlewick Press CHIRP Scholarship; the inaugural Joe Drabyak Frontline Fellowship, sponsored by Workman Publishing; and the Avin Mark Domnitz Scholarship, awarded by ABA to a bookseller at a store that submitted financial data to the 2010 ABACUS Survey.

ABA’s sold-out Winter Institute [3] will be held from Wednesday, January 19, through Friday, January 21, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.