News - Regional

The American Booksellers Association and the New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA) are urging Connecticut bookstore members to contact their state representatives to voice their support for HB 5481, sales tax fairness legislation. In late March, Connecticut's Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee passed the legislation by a vote of 35 - 13. Connecticut's House of Representatives is now considering the bill.

Ingram to Provide Publisher Content to iBookstore Ingram Content Group announced this week that it would be providing publisher content to Apple's new iBookstore. Through Ingram's CoreSource® technology, publishers will be able to submit eBooks to iBookstore for availability on the Apple iPad.

ABA COO Len Vlahos presents "Techniques and Tactics for Online Website Promotion" at Left Bank Books.

Follett Announces Online Textbook Rental for Independent Bookstores This week, Follet Higher Education Group announced the launch of two new college textbook rental programs for independent bookstores: an online affiliate program and an in-store rental support program. Follet said that the Online Affiliate Program is "a turnkey rental service," offering revenue share, an expansive list of titles, a branded online rental solution, and an option to serve as students' "return depot."

The American Booksellers Association kicked off its 2010 Spring Forum Tour last weekend in conjunction with the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance and the National Association of College Stores' Campus Market Expo (CAMEX) in Orlando, Florida. At the forum, led by ABA CEO Oren Teicher, booksellers shared their thoughts and concerns about e-books and how indies can participate moving forward, as well as ideas for alternative business models and new ways to find customers.

Early this week, Amazon.com created a firestorm when it announced it had fired all of its Colorado-based online affiliates to protest a state sales tax law. The law, HB10-1193, which was signed by Gov. Bill Ritter on February 24, requires out-of-state retailers to either collect and remit sales tax for purchases made by Colorado residents or to inform their Colorado customers that they owe use tax on any purchase they have made.

This week in California the e-fairness provision in the legislative budget was temporarily tabled when lawmakers decided to split the proposed budget into several distinct bills. However, the development did not derail sales tax equity efforts in the state. In Illinois, the Senate Revenue Committee is poised to vote on sales tax fairness legislation, following a hearing that is scheduled to include testimony from an ABA bookstore member. In Virginia, a proposed e-fairness budget amendment is expected to come up for a vote sometime next week.

The American Booksellers Association is holding its first Booksellers Forum of 2010 on March 12 in Orlando, Florida, in conjunction with the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance and the National Association of College Stores (NACS) and its Campus Market Expo (CAMEX). All ABA and SIBA members are invited to the forum program, which will feature a wide-ranging discussion and an education session from the very popular Winter Institute. The program will be held from 11:00 a.m.

Indie booksellers are invited to an ABA Booksellers Forum and Midwest Booksellers Association Spring Meeting on Sunday, March 21, in St. Louis, Missouri. The ABA forum and a popular Winter Institute education session will be part of a full day of programming that includes MBA's education component, two Rep Picks sessions, lunch with a guest author, and an Author Reception.

Google Settlement Hearing Begins