Greetings,

Today, we recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, during which we celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

We have a lot to share this month, including important resources, upcoming events, updates about your association, and more.

Enjoy!
 

Time flies when you’re having fun and working hard!

The team at CIBA provides regular, in-depth updates on our work including our major marketing campaigns, upcoming events, advocacy, and supplier relations. As we move into the summer months, we wanted to provide a quick update on a few other initiatives.

Love Notes to Eleanor Wachtel & Shelagh Rogers

As you may have heard, Eleanor and Shelagh are retiring from CBC this spring. These journalists have had a huge impact on the Canadian book industry. At the request of our members, we’ve organized a thank you from CIBA and from bookstores across the country.

Yesterday, we posted on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter inviting booksellers, readers, creators, and industry folks to share their own messages using #LoveToEleanorAndShelagh. We hope our members and partners will consider posting in response to our call. 

Summer Project: Member Photo Bank

The CIBA team is looking into additional opportunities to promote members amongst readers. To support this work, we are building a Member Photo Bank. We will be looking for bookstore logos and high-quality photos of storefronts, widow and in-store displays, booksellers, events, bookshop pets, and more so we can quickly jump on promotional opportunities.

More info next week!

Call for Nominations & AGM

We recently distributed our annual Call for Nominations to CIBA’s Board of Directors. The deadline to nominate yourself or another eligible member is Friday, June 30.

Votes will take place at the AGM on Tuesday, September 12. An official notice of meeting will be sent in August.
 

In February, Québec Édition invited five CIBA members to take part in the Salon du livre de l’Outaouais, a book fair in Gatineau, QC.

The initiative was developed following a mutual interest in increased communications between publishers and CIBA Bookseller members. The visit highlighted a variety of publishers and books, leaving participants inspired and equipped to explore further.

We asked participants to share what they learned. Members can find the recap on the Member Blog including publisher and book recommendations.

The CIBA team is continually working to facilitate French-language book curation and ordering for all members. Here are some existing resources available in the Member Portal:

  • Contact information and general terms for the largest distributors
  • Title lists prepared by Francophone or Francophile booksellers 
  • A useful resource for researching French-language books that includes:
    • an overview and translation of leslibraires.ca
    • instructions for the Communications-Jeunesse website, which provides theme-based lists of French-language children’s books
    • a list of French-language literary prizes

We look forward to sharing more updates on this project in the coming months. If you have questions or comments, please reach out to Danielle LeBlanc.

How to Keep Your Bookstore Cat Happy
Thursday, July 6
12pm PT, 1pm MT, 2pm CT, 3pm ET, 4pm AT, 4:30pm Newfoundland

We all love our bookstore cats and want them to be happy. Find a cozy spot with your favourite feline and join animal behaviour expert Zazie Todd (author of Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy) for a fun, brief educational session. Get actionable tips for enrichment activities and learn why they matter to your cat. There will also be time for a Q&A!

Who should attend? Bookseller Members

How to Create a Welcoming, Inclusive, and Safe Retail Space for 2SLGBTQI+ Customers
Tuesday, July 11
12pm PT, 1pm MT, 2pm CT, 3pm ET, 4pm AT, 4:30pm Newfoundland 

Not only is having 2SLGBTQI+ friendly policies in your bookstore the right thing to do, it’s also good for business. That’s why Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) and Tourism HR Canada have collaborated to launch the Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program for 2SLGBTQI+ friendly businesses and organizations.

During this session, CGLCC’s Connor McKiggan (he/they) will provide useful tips to make your business more 2SLGBTQI+ friendly. Booksellers will also learn how their business can become Rainbow Registered, joining a network of accredited safe spaces across Canada. 

Who should attend? Bookseller Members

Ask Us ANYTHING! – CIBA Summer Mentor Series (Session 1)
Thursday, July 20
12pm PT, 1pm MT, 2pm CT, 3pm ET, 4pm AT, 4:30pm Newfoundland

Do you have a burning question you’d like to ask a pro-bookseller? Here’s your chance! Join CIBA’s team of experienced bookseller mentors for a special summer program. There will be no formal presentation at these events—simply log on and ask all your burning questions.

Mentor: Jessica Walker, Munro’s Books (Victoria, BC)

Who should attend? Bookseller Members

Simple Strategies for Increasing Profits Using Sales Data

Don’t miss the recording of the event that left booksellers “gobsmacked” (in a good way!). Learn how creating and analyzing simple data reports can boost your sales and efficiency by at least 10%.

Ask the Bookseller: Demystifying Co-op

What is co-op? Who offers it? What frameworks can help keep you organized? Check out this recording to learn from experienced booksellers. CIBA has also curated co-op information from the multinational publishing houses.

Event recordings are available in the Member Portal.

Not a CIBA member? Join now to access a range of benefits, including access to live events, recordings, and other resources.

CIBA recently spoke with Annahid Dashtgard, CEO of Anima Leadership, a racial justice consulting firm, and author of Bones of Belonging, for tips on how independent booksellers can build more inclusive and equitable retail environments.

“What books you notice and promote is foundational for the health of our democracy, because whose stories get read reflect who we consider when we make our decisions.”

Read the article on the Member Blog.

Canadian independent booksellers are reporting increased incidents of cybercrime and/or credit card fraud. What should you be on the lookout for?

CIBA has curated a range of resources to help keep bookstores alert in the face of potential threats. They include:

  • A link to the Bookseller Forum where you can share your experiences and learn from peers who have noticed fraudulent or potential scam activity
  • Access to a free cybersecurity course where, among other topics, you can learn about your rights as a merchant if credit card charges are disputed following a purchase
  • A Bookmanager statement about credit card fraud within their client base

Access the resources in the Member Portal now.

In January, we launched the Notable Public Dates Calendar. This living document features key dates like public holidays, themed occasions, awards announcements, and more.

The full resource is accessible as a list-by-date and as a traditional calendar. Additionally, our printable overview for the next three months is now available.

Members can access the calendar here.

Have a key date that may be of interest to all members? Email Kayla Calder.

Lighthouse Books has been a fixture in Brighton, ON, for more than 25 years. We spoke with Kathryn Corbett, co-owner since 2016, about becoming an independent bookseller, the books she loves to sell, and her hopes for the store’s future.

“With the rationale that we had been ‘working’ in volunteer roles for free anyway, I suggested to my husband that we had the skills and our own cheap labour, so we could likely keep the store a vital part of our town without completely depleting our retirement savings.”

Read the article here.

Our colleagues at BookNet Canada continue to provide unique content and helpful resources related to the Canadian book industry.

Right now, you can:
 
 
 

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