About SIBA

SIBA is a trade association representing independent bookstores and booksellers in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and Mississippi.

The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance exists to empower, promote, and celebrate our core member bookstores in a spirit of partnership. Core members are independent, privately-owned legal entities actively engaged in the business of bookselling in our region. The bookselling venue may take the form of a physical (brick and mortar) store, an online store, a recurring pop-up shop, or a mobile venue, but physical books (including e-books and audiobook versions) must represent more than 50% of the entity's overall gross revenue.

SIBA was formed to unite in one organization individuals and businesses actively engaged in the writing, selling, publishing, distribution and/or promoting of books in the South. SIBA provides a forum to discuss common problems and share ideas; offers educational programs and workshops for the benefit of its members; and strives to promote a high standard of ethics and business practices among the membership. SIBA exists to help you become a more profitable business, and sell more books.

Mission

SIBA's primary goal is to give independent booksellers the tools to be successful, including skills that contribute to their member stores' success. Resources that allow booksellers to innovate and experiment and share results. Information that increases their member stores' standing in the larger bookselling industry. Tools that increase public awareness of their member stores in their own communities.

Anti-Racist Statement

The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance stands against racism, and the injustices suffered by Black people in our country. The recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, and the rising up of people around the world in protest of police brutality and systemic racism, have brought our staff and board together in difficult and honest conversation. As an organization located in the South, we recognize racism is a part of our culture and it is our responsibility to be active allies to Black people, to continue having these conversations, digging deeper, and doing the work. We acknowledge, as an all-white staff and board, a lack of diversity in our leadership; we mutually vow to confront any implicit bias. We vow to stand next to Black people, to listen to and hear Black people in the book industry, and to work towards empowering them. How we are doing this.

Inclusivity Statement

SIBA is committed to antiracism, representation, inclusion, equity, and access in all that we do. We believe that diversity and diverse perspectives make our organization stronger and we are committed to equity, dignity, and diversity for all Peoples. SIBA will:

• Ensure that SIBA policies and procedures are antiracist, create opportunities for everyone, and demonstrate support for historically marginalized Peoples.

• Support and advocate for diverse colleagues, employees, bookstore owners, booksellers, authors, and publishers and other entities in, and that impact, the book industry.

• Actively work with publishers and authors toward a more representative book industry in which all voices are heard.

• Require representation of Black, BIPOC, queer, disabled, and other marginalized authors and books at SIBA events and in SIBA promotions and advertising.

• Meet as staff throughout the year to discuss topics and educate ourselves on issues related to antiracism, antidiscrimination, microaggressions, and supporting underrepresented Peoples.

• Commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion training for staff and Board members.

• Commit to the core values of mutual respect, listening, empathy, and empowered participation.

• Commit to being socially responsible in our business practices, from where we bank and invest our funds, to supporting equity, access, and sustainability when planning our gatherings and conferences. 

• Commit to transparency and accountability on our antiracist, diversity, equity, and inclusion, access and representation initiatives, and will actively report what we are doing to the membership.