Dues Renewal Notices on the Way

ABA member stores should be on the lookout for their 2011 dues renewal notices to arrive this month. Changes instituted by the American Booksellers Association this past summer [1] created a standard dues year (February 1 to January 31) for all members, as well as a more efficient and user-friendly dues structure [2].

Beginning February 1:

• The number of, and gross-sales break points for, all dues categories changes, with dues for all stores with gross sales less than $250,000 being lower than previously.
• There are two new categories of membership – for used bookstores [3] and for new stores/new members [4] – each at a reduced dues level. Bookstores that have never been ABA members and stores that have not been members for two or more years are eligible to join under the new store/new member category.

In addition, stores now have the option of joining the new ABA ABC Children’s Group [5], which was formed as a result of the merger of the Association of Booksellers for Children with ABA as approved by ABC membership in November 2010.

By now, all member stores should have received a personalized e-mail from their ABA member relationship manager (MRM) that details exactly how the changes will affect the bookstore’s dues and whether the store is entitled to any credits or adjustments for dues paid.

Any member store whose dues for 2010 are currently past due are encouraged to contact their MRM – either Elizabeth Nichols [6] or Kaitlin Pitcher [7] (look up your member relations manager by region [8]) – to bring their account up to date.