One of SIBA's primary functions is to provide its members with tools and resources to become more successful businesses. A big part of that is bookseller development. SIBA works with publishers, authors, and other institutions to provide funding for education for booksellers at all levels, from frontline booksellers to business owners and top-level managers.

Many of the scholarships and grants have been specifically created to help booksellers attend the annual New Voices New Rooms conference, which has a wealth of high quality educational programming and is the largest professional gathering of independent booksellers on the eastern seaboard.

2024 Scholarship Winners

Binc Scholarship
Sponsored by the Book Industry Charitable Foundation

Tikesha Williams of Paperbacks Ink in Newport News, VA

BIPOC Booksellers Development Scholarship
Created with the generous support of Ingram Content Group

Marissa Butler, Golden Fig Books in Durham, NC
LaVonya Williams-Tensley, All Things Inspiration Giftique in Mableton, GA
Valinda Miller, Turning Page Bookshop in Goose Creek, GA
Annastasia Williams, The Bottom in Knoxville, TN

George Keating Memorial Scholarship
Created in honor of the beloved Simon and Schuster Sales Rep

Preet Singh, Eagle Eye Bookshop in Decatur, GA

Macmillan Bookseller Professional Development Scholarship
Sponsored by Macmillan and Binc to support underrepresented booksellers

Eden Haymon, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, LA

New Voices New Rooms Travel Grants
Offered by SIBA for booksellers to attend the annual conference

Cassidy Hayes, A Cappella Books in Decatur, GA
Diana Dominguez, Mas Libritos in Springdale, AR
Jenny Ferrara, Philosophers & Fools in Charleston, SC
Rebecca Binkowski, MacIntosh Books + Paper in Sanibel Island, FL
Olivia Schaffer, The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA
Teresa Rodriguez, Bookends Literature & Libations in Tampa, FL

Jamie Rogers Southern (SIBA Retiring Board Member) Scholarship
Every outgoing member of the SIBA Board funds a scholarship for a bookseller to attend the annual conference that year. The 2024 scholarship is in honor of outgoing board member Jamie Rogers Southern.

Daniel Rowe, Book + Bottle in St. Petersburg, FL

Wanda Jewell Scholarship for Bookseller Professional Development
Created in honor of SIBA's much-beloved former Executive Director.

Sara Putnam, Bookish: An Indie Bookstore for Folks Who Read in Fort Smith, AR
LeeAnna Callon, Blue Cypress Books in New Orleans, LA

Find out more about available scholarship and financial aid at: https://sibaweb.com/page/siba_scholarships