2024 SIBA Bookstore Census

January 2024 marks the return of the SIBA Bookstore Census. Bookstores in SIBA's region are invited to participate, regardless of their membership status. The Census, which asks bookstores about operations, demographics, and community engagement, is designed to provide a detailed portrait of independent bookselling in the Southern United States. Bookstores will receive their invitations by January 15, 2024.

SIBA held its first Census in 2022 to discover how bookstores had changed and adapted in the wake of the pandemic. Recognizing that bookstores had to reinvent themselves during lockdown, the Census sought to document the many creative strategies bookstores used to stay successful as businesses.

Largely in response to the information received in 2022, the 2024 Census includes an expanded section on bookstore business models, purchasing strategies, and engagement with both the book industry and local communities.

The SIBA Census is used to:

• Develop innovative and meaningful events and programming.
• Design creative marketing and promotional opportunities for bookstores.
• Advocate on behalf of independent bookstores to industry businesses and organizations.
• Target member communications and news to make them even more valuable.
• Strengthen SIBA's core commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The 2024 SIBA census is open to every bookstore in SIBA Territory (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA). Stores that complete the census are entered into a drawing to receive supper on SIBA! Ten stores will receive $100 to treat their staff to supper (or breakfast or lunch!)

To ask for an invitation contact Nicki Leone at nicki@sibaweb.com