President/CEO Letters

"Regardless of political views or party affiliation, there are serious concerns about the impact of the announcements thus far on booksellers. We’ve outlined some of them in this report. In light of breaking news, tariffs and free expression are top of mind today.

We also want to specifically acknowledge the harmful impact of the anti-LGBTQIA2S+ executive order on trans, nonbinary, intersex, and gender nonconforming booksellers, and on free expression rights. This is not about political ideology; it’s a matter of human rights, civil rights, and freedom of expression for you, our members. Government erosion of those rights impacts us all."

"We know today is a painful and divisive day for many, but election results are not the end; they‘re the beginning. What matters most is what we do next," said ABA CEO Allison Hill.

A letter from ABA Board President Tegan Tigani.

"As we head into this holiday season, may we remember all that we have in common. May we have the opportunity to share the books we love. And may your hearts and register tills be full," said ABA CEO Allison Hill.

A letter from ABA Board President Tegan Tigani.

A letter from ABA Board President Tegan Tigani.

"It’s more important than ever that ABA keeps fighting against consolidation in publishing, anti-competitive practices in the marketplace, legislation that favors corporations over small business, and government agencies that lose sight of their mission and allow their training and support for small businesses to become marketing opportunities for these businesses’ biggest competitor," said ABA CEO Allison Hill.

A letter from ABA Board President Tegan Tigani.

A letter from ABA Board President Tegan Tigani.

ABA Board President Tegan Tigani explains changes in the ABA Ends Policies 2023–2024.

A letter from ABA Board President Tegan Tigani.

"After almost two years of questions and Groundhog’s Day for many of us, in terms of circumstances or uncertainty or both, it seems we’ve finally moved forward. Welcome to the future! It looks a lot like the past," said ABA CEO Allison Hill.

"When we all look up again it will be January 2022. May your holiday season be profitable. May your holidays be bright. And may we all start the new year with renewed energy and hope for the future," said Hill.

“I’ve said many times that my plan for my first year at ABA, like so many people’s plans for 2020, was thwarted by the pandemic,” writes Hill. “Instead of the answers I came in with, I let questions guide ABA’s efforts this past year.”

“Right now we have a tremendous opportunity to reframe the conversation we’ve been having within our industry and to rethink every aspect of our business,” writes Hill in her inaugural letter to members.