11.14.24 CALIBA Bookseller News & Information

November 14, 2024

Biomythography Bayou by Mel Michelle Lewis

IN THIS ISSUE

Get Involved! Join a CALIBA Committee

Exploratory Group for Southern California Children's Booksellers

Tips for Using the Holiday Catalog

Resources for "Curation Challenges"

Important Updates from Binc

LAST CHANCE: Get Your Indie Book Store Day Exclusives by *tomorrow*, Nov. 15th

REMINDER: Children's Institute 2025 Scholarship applications close *Wednesday*, Nov. 20th

Dates and Deadlines

Bestseller Lists

Classifieds

CALIBA Currently Reading

Bookseller Resources

CALIBA STAFF

Hannah Walcher

Executive Director

hannah@caliballiance.org

Valentina Moberg

Operations Manager

valentina@caliballiance.org

Alecia Reddick

Supporting Staff

alecia@caliballiance.org

JOIN CALIBA'S DISCORD!

Email Valentina to join.

Current CALIBA bookseller membership required.

If you are looking for some help, we have a few booksellers that have already filled out the form! Find a Substitute Bookseller Here (Login Required). If you are having trouble accessing your account, email Valentina.

If you would like to be a Substitute Bookseller, fill out this form!

GET INVOLVED! JOIN A CALIBA COMMITTEE

Join one of our committeesand contribute your insights, passion, and creativity to the future and strength of CALIBA. Most committees require just a few phone calls a year or assistance with vetting authors and books for our catalog and programs using Google Docs.

The following committees are seeking members:

Education Committee
BIPOC Booksellers Committee (Formerly Mosaic) (in development)
Nominating Committee
Publisher Relations Committee
Political Advocacy Committee (in development)

Click here for more details about CALIBA Committees.

Interested in joining one of the committees above?

Click here to fill out the form.

GOLDEN POPPY AWARDS COMMITTEE

CALIBA presents the Golden Poppy Awards 2025 in recognition of the most distinguished books written and illustrated by creators who have made California their home. Committees for each category are made up of booksellers throughout the state tasked with developing a final ballot of five top titles that California booksellers will vote on. Click here to view the categories.

Click here for more Golden Poppy Committee details.

Interested in joining a Golden Poppy Committee?

Click here to fill out the form.

ATTENTION: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHILDREN'S BOOKSELLERS

We are looking for Children's booksellers interested in joining an exploratory group with the hopes of revamping a state-wide Children's Bookseller Alliance. First, we need to gauge interest! If you'd like to learn more, email Julie Carlsonat Vroman's.

TIPS FOR USING THE HOLIDAY CATALOG

Fun and interactive tip:

Have staffers choose a title they think will do well and have a competition to see which title sells the most copies. And the winning bookseller gets a prize!

Click here for more tips o n making the most of your holiday c atalog!

Have other ideas on how bookstores can use the Holiday Catalog? Share it on Discord or email Valentina!

RESOURCES FOR “CURATION CHALLENGES”

As many of you know, there has been a rise of "curation challenges" at CALIBA bookstores and across the United States. The ABA is offering assistance to those facing difficulties with community protests or anti-anything sentiment. If you are experiencing a book challenge of any kind, please email Hannah and Philomenia Polefrone(ABA). The ABA is working tirelessly to provide booksellers with resources like the three listed below.

6 Steps to Help Deal with Curation Protests

Training Staff to Handle Curation Challenges

Dealing with Online Harassment Tool Kit

IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM BINC

NATURAL DISASTER UPDATE Since the last days of September Binc has responded to 138 calls for help, 71 of them disaster related and the rest the emergency financial crises faced every day by the people who keep stores open and in their communities. We're still hearing from book and comic in the wake of waters receding, power returning, and recovery beginning but Binc was able to begin providing help just days after the first calls.

To date financial disaster assistance has been completed for 28 stores and individuals impacted by the hurricanes, with many other disaster grants in progress. Binc Program Manager Judey Kalchik wanted to share the following reminders:

Binc can now receive texts at 734-441-6046 if you don’t have access to the Internet, email, or consistent phone access.
If a store receives disaster assistance it does not mean employees or even the owner are not personally eligible. They are!
Anyone impacted by a weather disaster should register for FEMA assistance and check into disaster unemployment assistance.

Learn more about the Binc Foundation.

Click here to donate.

MOUNTAIN FIRE EMERGENCY SUPPORT -

BINC IS HERE TO HELP

If you have evacuated and need help with temporary housing, Binc may be able to help.
If you work in or own a bookstore or comic shop and have lost 50% or more of your weekly pay due to the wildfire, you may qualify for emergency financial assistance.
If your store has been damaged or forced to temporarily close, Binc may be able to help cover certain expenses like rent, utilities, or replacement fixtures.
If you need mental health support (related to the fire or for any other reason), you QUALIFY to receive mental health assistance if you currently work in or own a bookstore or comic shop. Please find more information here about our mental health wellness program or apply below.

Help Binc Reach Others: If you do not live in the area of California affected by the fire, please pass this note to any colleagues, booksellers, and/or comic retailers that might be impacted.

Contact Binc: If you have any questions about your situation, the Binc Foundation, or

need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our program manager: Judey, judey@bincfoundation.org. You can also give us a call at 1-866-733-9064.

Mental Health Wellness Application

Financial Assistance Inquiry

ACTION ITEMS FROM THE ABA

Indie Bookstore Day Exclusives: What You Are Looking For Is In the Library by Michiko Aoyama, Late Night Bookclub Hat, and Horror Movie (Deluxe Edition) by Paul Tremblay.

*LAST CHANCE*: ORDER INDIE BOOKSTORE DAY EXCLUSIVES & BE INCLUDED ON THE IBD MAP

BY TOMORROW, NOV. 15TH

Get ready for the 12th annual Independent Bookstore Day , April 26, 2025 !

Click here to: order your

IBD exclusives, sign up to part icipate in IBD, and/or be included on the IBD map.

Children's Institute 2025. Portland, Oregon. June 12-14, 2025.

*REMINDER*: CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE 2025 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE BY WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20TH

Children’s Institute 2025 is June 12–14, in Portland, OR. Scholarship recipients receive waived event fees, a comped hotel room, and

up to $600 reimbursement for travel to and from the show.

Apply now!

REGISTER FOR PROFESSIONAL BOOKSELLERS SCHOOL

Professional Booksellers School enrollment for 2025 courses has begun! When registration opens, courses often sell out quickly, so be prepared.

CALIBA will reimburse booksellers for completion and certification of each live course. For those auditing courses, 1/2 of the cost will be reimbursed with proof of attendance.