FAQs
Is IBC part of the ABA?
No, though most IBC members are members of the ABA as individual stores.
What does IBC provide that the ABA doesn’t?
The ABA exists to support independent bookstores with overarching infrastructure and education, while IBC exists to help specific bookstores with specific solutions. IBC helps its members with focused meetings and agendas that inspire a sharing of best practices and ideas.
Do antitrust laws limit IBC's operations?
In fulfilling its mission statement, IBC complies with all antitrust laws and actually improves competition. Prospective members will have an opportunity to review all our policies at an appropriate time.
How is it funded?
IBC is entirely self-funded. Every member is a part owner of IBC and must purchase an ownership stake in the organization upon joining, and thereafter support IBC's operation through annual dues. IBC members also pay travel and lodging expenses for all in-person IBC meetings.
How often do you meet?
We have two in-person IBC meetings per year when possible, and conduct weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly virtual meetings for booksellers throughout the year.
Is IBC an advocacy group?
IBC does not directly participate in any lobbying or advocacy efforts directed at legislators or to influence government policy. It does advocate to industry partners on behalf of its members and to benefit independent bookselling as a whole.
How many stores are a part of IBC?
We currently have 28 member stores. You can find a list of our member bookstores on our homepage at www.independentbooksellers.com. There isn't a specific number of stores that can be members--enough to keep the consortium going, but not so many that it stops being valuable to members. Generally speaking, we operate with the goal of maintaining a small enough group that in-person conversations remain comfortable and productive.
Why does IBC operate under a policy of confidentiality?
In order for members to trust one another with sensitive information (including financials, operational documents, ideas, plans, fears, failures, and successes), every member agrees to keep any information pertaining to a specific member or store completely confidential. All members are asked so sign a confidentiality agreement, which asks members to "commit to uphold that any information pertaining or attributable to an individual or business be shared only among IBC members, held in strict confidence, and treated as proprietary information. All other information about IBC's policies, operations, and meetings, can be shared at members' discretion as personal takeaways not to be attributed to the group as a whole."
What do you look for in potential members?
We look for independent booksellers with a brick and mortar presence that are sufficiently confident in their operations to be ready to seek more challenging and rewarding business practices. We look for store owners that are active in the industry, represent leadership qualities, and who show an innovative spirit and business savvy that can benefit the group. We also look at store type and location to make sure there won’t be any conflicts with existing members.
When do you look for new members?
There are no term limits to IBC membership, and as mentioned above we operate with the goal of keeping membership relatively low. Which is to say, it isn't often IBC seeks new members. That said, there are a number of reasons IBC may look to invite a new company to join: when one of our current members has to leave the group, when our finances require additional support to remain viable, when we see a store implementing creative and effective strategies that succeed in the marketplace and feel there is an opportunity for mutual benefit, and if in our efforts to support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization we notice gaps in representation or inequities in our current membership, we will look to invite members that present a different set of strengths and a different understanding of the challenges inherent in our industry so we can better address these issues as a group.
IBC is always eager to learn about any and all bookstores interested in joining us, and we maintain a list of interested stores. If any of the situations detailed above arise, we will refer to this list to help guide the invitation process.
Are you looking for new members right now?
Yes, as part of IBC's DEI Action Plan, we are committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization by welcoming more BIPOC-owned bookstores into our membership.
Why is IBC 's membership limited?
IBC’s membership is limited in order to maximize the productivity and value of our in-person meetings.
Why is IBC "invite-only"?
In all IBC gatherings, members often share sensitive proprietary and financial information, and as such our policies are designed to foster an environment of trust among members. This high degree of trust is at the heart of IBC, and the invitation process is a way to ensure we can establish that trust prior to welcoming new members.
If there’s a store in my state that is already a member, does it mean I won’t be considered for membership?
Not necessarily, though sometimes geographic proximity to an existing member plays a role in the invitation process. IBC has many member stores who operate in the same state as other member stores.
What is required of members once they’re members?
Members are expected to attend the two annual in-person meetings, to allow their staff to attend virtual meetings, to participate on committees, to contribute to ongoing discussions over email, to be open to new ideas, to maintain the confidentiality of topics discussed in IBC forums, and to share their experience and listen respectfully to others' experiences.
No, though most IBC members are members of the ABA as individual stores.
What does IBC provide that the ABA doesn’t?
The ABA exists to support independent bookstores with overarching infrastructure and education, while IBC exists to help specific bookstores with specific solutions. IBC helps its members with focused meetings and agendas that inspire a sharing of best practices and ideas.
Do antitrust laws limit IBC's operations?
In fulfilling its mission statement, IBC complies with all antitrust laws and actually improves competition. Prospective members will have an opportunity to review all our policies at an appropriate time.
How is it funded?
IBC is entirely self-funded. Every member is a part owner of IBC and must purchase an ownership stake in the organization upon joining, and thereafter support IBC's operation through annual dues. IBC members also pay travel and lodging expenses for all in-person IBC meetings.
How often do you meet?
We have two in-person IBC meetings per year when possible, and conduct weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly virtual meetings for booksellers throughout the year.
Is IBC an advocacy group?
IBC does not directly participate in any lobbying or advocacy efforts directed at legislators or to influence government policy. It does advocate to industry partners on behalf of its members and to benefit independent bookselling as a whole.
How many stores are a part of IBC?
We currently have 28 member stores. You can find a list of our member bookstores on our homepage at www.independentbooksellers.com. There isn't a specific number of stores that can be members--enough to keep the consortium going, but not so many that it stops being valuable to members. Generally speaking, we operate with the goal of maintaining a small enough group that in-person conversations remain comfortable and productive.
Why does IBC operate under a policy of confidentiality?
In order for members to trust one another with sensitive information (including financials, operational documents, ideas, plans, fears, failures, and successes), every member agrees to keep any information pertaining to a specific member or store completely confidential. All members are asked so sign a confidentiality agreement, which asks members to "commit to uphold that any information pertaining or attributable to an individual or business be shared only among IBC members, held in strict confidence, and treated as proprietary information. All other information about IBC's policies, operations, and meetings, can be shared at members' discretion as personal takeaways not to be attributed to the group as a whole."
What do you look for in potential members?
We look for independent booksellers with a brick and mortar presence that are sufficiently confident in their operations to be ready to seek more challenging and rewarding business practices. We look for store owners that are active in the industry, represent leadership qualities, and who show an innovative spirit and business savvy that can benefit the group. We also look at store type and location to make sure there won’t be any conflicts with existing members.
When do you look for new members?
There are no term limits to IBC membership, and as mentioned above we operate with the goal of keeping membership relatively low. Which is to say, it isn't often IBC seeks new members. That said, there are a number of reasons IBC may look to invite a new company to join: when one of our current members has to leave the group, when our finances require additional support to remain viable, when we see a store implementing creative and effective strategies that succeed in the marketplace and feel there is an opportunity for mutual benefit, and if in our efforts to support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization we notice gaps in representation or inequities in our current membership, we will look to invite members that present a different set of strengths and a different understanding of the challenges inherent in our industry so we can better address these issues as a group.
IBC is always eager to learn about any and all bookstores interested in joining us, and we maintain a list of interested stores. If any of the situations detailed above arise, we will refer to this list to help guide the invitation process.
Are you looking for new members right now?
Yes, as part of IBC's DEI Action Plan, we are committed to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization by welcoming more BIPOC-owned bookstores into our membership.
Why is IBC 's membership limited?
IBC’s membership is limited in order to maximize the productivity and value of our in-person meetings.
Why is IBC "invite-only"?
In all IBC gatherings, members often share sensitive proprietary and financial information, and as such our policies are designed to foster an environment of trust among members. This high degree of trust is at the heart of IBC, and the invitation process is a way to ensure we can establish that trust prior to welcoming new members.
If there’s a store in my state that is already a member, does it mean I won’t be considered for membership?
Not necessarily, though sometimes geographic proximity to an existing member plays a role in the invitation process. IBC has many member stores who operate in the same state as other member stores.
What is required of members once they’re members?
Members are expected to attend the two annual in-person meetings, to allow their staff to attend virtual meetings, to participate on committees, to contribute to ongoing discussions over email, to be open to new ideas, to maintain the confidentiality of topics discussed in IBC forums, and to share their experience and listen respectfully to others' experiences.