Committees are made up of dedicated booksellers and sales reps who are vital in creating the programs, initiatives and education for Fall Fest, Spring Forums, and children's programming, to name just a few.

The committees are not set in stone, but are continued, decommissioned or created based on the ideas and input from the board and our membership.

Much of our committee work is done by email, with an occasional conference call. We encourage interested booksellers to get involved. You'll be contributing your valuable experience and creativity, and you'll be meeting booksellers from across our California region and beyond.

If you'd like to serve on a committee, contact the committee chairs. Have an idea for a new topic? - contact Hannah Walcher.

Education Committee
Responsible for envisioning, creating and implementing the workshops, panels, round tables, etc. that are presented at our Discovery Show, Spring Gathering, & beyond.

BIPOC Booksellers Committee (Formerly Mosaic)
The BIPOC Booksellers committee welcomes BIPOC store owners and booksellers to gather for community building, knowledge sharing, and education development with the goal of uplifting BIPOC storytelling and creating sustainable communities of BIPOC readers.

Nominating Committee
Responsible for researching and recommending new board members. Chair: Mark O'Neal (Karel/Dutton)

Publisher Relations Committee
The publisher relations committee seeks to strengthen the bond between California booksellers and the publishing industry, both in New York and the many publishers who call California home. This can look like a wide variety of actions and engagement, including but not limited to advocacy, office/store visits, and regular old hanging out. If you are interested in learning more about publishing and/or being a voice for California indies, reach out about joining! Chair: Vanessa Martini (Green Apple Books) 

Political Advocacy Committee
As a single state alliance, the Political Advocacy Committee will explore ways CALIBA can engage with local, state and federal agencies to advocate for issues and policies important to the success and well-being of California bookstores and booksellers.

Interested in joining one of the committees above? Click here to fill out the form.

Golden Poppy Awards Committees
Responsible for reading titles submitted by the publishers for the category of your choice and working with the other committee members to develop the shortlist to be voted upon by the membership.

Committee Chair: Summer Dawn Laurie (Books Inc.)

2025 TIMELINE: Work for the awards committees begins as soon as a chair has been named for each category (January 2025) and will conclude upon selection of the finalists in early Fall 2025.

WHAT'S INVOLVED: During the finalist evaluation process, you will be required to attend 3-4 virtual meetings and read and comment on a number of submitted titles. If you are selected to join a committee, you will be contacted with your assigned category by the chair and they will review the process with you in more detail.

Interested in joining a Golden Poppy Committee? Click here to fill out the form.

California Children's Booksellers Alliance (CCBA)
The CCBA champions all things children's literature. With input from the extended membership, the committee helps organize meetings, assists in organizing educational programming for the Spring Forum and Fall Fest, and determines advocacy for issues relevant to the children's book world.

Contact Hannah Walcher.