Nine bookstores, eight states, and everyone’s a winner at SIBA’s March Madness! Kicking off on March 1 at Baldwin & Co in New Orleans, LA, nine SIBA bookstores will host one-day gatherings throughout March that include bookseller education, meet-the-author luncheons, networking, and idea shares on what’s working at attendee stores.

This programming is FREE to SIBA member bookstores, and includes lunch. There are attendance caps at most participating stores, so register early, especially if you’re bringing staff. Because each store offers education that showcases what they do best, consider attending more than one event, and touring additional stores nearby, for more inspiration. Want to make a night of it? A number of our stores provided discount codes at local hotels. Just let us know and we’ll provide!

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to connect with your peers and get a lift (and new ideas!).

MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION

What Booksellers said in 2020:

“SIBA booksellers is the conversations that happen in between the programmed events.There is no virtual substitute for this exchange of ideas on the fly with fellow booksellers!” -Kate Storhoff, General Manager Bookmarks, Winston-Salem, NC host store in 2020

“I had a wonderful time meeting other booksellers from SIBAland, and relished the opportunity to brainstorm ideas with them that felt relevant to our area and our needs. Chatting with an author from my state was also a wonderful experience, especially since I’m still in contact with them (and eagerly hand-selling their books). I cannot recommend participating in this program enough, and eagerly await attending once again this year!” Lucy Perkins-Wagel, Assistant Manager, Copperfish Books Punta Gorda Florida, on March Madness in 2020, hosted by Oxford Exchange, Tampa, FL

DETAILS

All March Madness events run from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM local time, and include an author luncheon. The general format for all events is:

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Education Session presented by hosting store.
• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Author Luncheon
• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Bookseller Idea Share
  

Some stores may have special presentations planned, depending on the location and topic. Updated information will be included below and on on the event page

THE SCHEDULE

March 1: Baldwin & Co. in New Orleans, LA
Morning Education: Presentation on Baldwin's unique business offerings, including a podcast studio, NOLA Art Bar, and literacy foundation. Also join Bookshop.org's Sarah High in a session on how to use Bookshop to run your virtual book fairs! She'll go over how Bookshop's new registries work (our version of Am*zon's wishlists), how to set up a page on Bookshop, and how to generally offload direct to home orders to Bookshop.

March 6: The RVA Book Bar in Richmond, VA
Presentation on RVA Book Bar’s mission, sourcing of books and sidelines, and subscription box program. RVA Book Bar and neighbor, Fountain Bookstore, will also discuss the benefits of partnering in programming.

March 7: Oxford Exchange in Tampa, FL
Morning Education: Oxford Exchange Bookstore, part of a gathering space which includes a restaurant and gift shop, will present a discussion on their programming, sharing what’s working and how they make it happen!

March 13: Buxton Books in Charleston, SC
Morning Education: Presentation on how Buxton - and their events and walking tours - fit into the ecosystem of publishing and their mission.

March 13: Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, GA
Morning Education: All Things Kids! Topics will include handselling with a focus on children and teens, planning fun non-author and family friendly events, like book clubs, story times, and summer camps, and creating successful school and community partnerships. Not just for children's booksellers! Everyone is welcome!

March 14: Square Books in Oxford, MS
Morning Education: Soup to Nuts! Square Books, with its four stores on five floors in three buildings on the historic Oxford square, strives to be a store for every reader. Besides operating 4 stores, Square Books, Off Square Books, Square Books Jr, and Rare Square Books, all under one umbrella, to serve all reading needs, we endeavor to reinforce ties through a loyalty program and branded merchandise. Partnership and sponsorship with community organizations, the Oxford Conference for the Book, Thacker Mountain Radio and others helps extend our reach. We will tour the 4 stores and see how they work together, displaying a connected identity while still promoting their own areas, and talk about branding and store branded merchandise as a way to make readers feel a part of the Square Books family.

March 21: Hub City Bookshop in Spartanburg, SC
Morning Education: The Hub City Writers Project will discuss its unique nonprofit Indie press/bookshop/programming model. The day starts with an introduction to the 27-year-old organization in the Hub City Bookshop and includes a visit to nearby Hub City Press offices.

March 28: Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, NC
Morning Education: A presentation on Flyleaf’s approach to:

• Work/life balance, including: types of PTO, vacations, family leave/balance, remote work, COVID policies
  
• Staff internal communication, including: scheduling software, filling shifts short notice, communication between front/back/remote (normal and urgent)
  
• Staff external communication, including: how to field inquiries from public, how to pass information to coworkers, how to manage customer expectations regarding orders, events, etc.
• HR, including: PTO, COVID policies, total compensation (hourly wages + other benefits), respecting diversity, family leave/balance
  

March 29: Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN
Morning Education: A discussion on the importance of having a social media presence and some ways Parnassus goes about creating content that reaches bookish social media communities and promotes customer engagement, particularly on Instagram and TikTok. Parnassus uses Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.