BookED American Booksellers Association

Free Expression Friday is an interview series from ABA's American Booksellers for Free Expression celebrating the amazing work of booksellers, organizers, and book people in general fighting for the right to read.
In this episode, ABA's Advocacy Associate Manager, Philomena Polefrone talks with Tara Lipsyncki (they/them), a drag performer, owner of Mosaics Community Bookstore & Venue in Provo, Utah, and director of the United Drag Alliance nonprofit. In April 2024, they received a bomb threat to their store in response to their Drag Story Hour programming, the most recent of many threats they’ve received and part of a major uptick in threatening content. If you have received or think you may receive a threat, consult our Drag Story Time security tipsheet and get in touch with abfe@bookweb.org. Read the full interview on Bookweb. Recorded May 3, 2024.
Follow the American Booksellers for Free Expression on Instagram at @ABFEFreeExpression to keep up with ABFE's advocacy efforts and tune into their Free Expression Friday series. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org.
 
Theme by Constant Companion

Most of us know how to help when we see someone in cardiac arrest — we start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few of us might know how to respond when we see a customer having a panic attack, or if we are concerned that a co-worker shows signs of alcoholism. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training program that takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems. It helps to improve understanding and provides an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder. Rich Palmer, a certified MHFA instructor, will provide an introduction to basic MHFA skills on how to navigate hard conversations, tackle stigma in the workplace, and address what resilience truly means – with strategies to alleviate burnout.
Speakers
Rich Palmer, Mental Health America of Northern KY and Southwest OH - Blue Ash, OH
Files & Links
Slide Deck Video Recording MHFA Resources Handout Recorded February 13, 2024 at Winter Institute 2024 in Cincinnati, OH
Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org.
 
 
Theme song by Constant Companion

Doris Kearns Goodwin is an acclaimed presidential historian, international keynote speaker, and Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times #1 bestselling author of books including Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, Leadership: In Turbulent Times, and the newly-released An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History.
 
Speakers
Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s Philomena Polefrone, Advocacy Associate Manager for ABA's American Booksellers for Free Expression Files & Links
Video Recording Slide Deck Live Captioning  
Recorded February 14, 2024 at Winter Institute 2024 in Cincinnati, OH
Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org.
 
 
Theme song by Constant Companion

Free Expression Friday is an interview series from ABA's American Booksellers for Free Expression celebrating the amazing work of booksellers, organizers, and book people in general fighting for the right to read.
In this episode, ABA's Advocacy Associate Manager, Philomena Polefrone talks with Ronna Dewey, the Pennsylvania Program Director for Red Wine & Blue, a national advocacy organization dedicated to friend-to-friend organizing among suburban women to fight extremism and book bans. Read the full interview on Bookweb. Recorded February 9, 2024.
Follow the American Booksellers for Free Expression on Instagram at @ABFEFreeExpression to keep up with ABFE's advocacy efforts and tune into their Free Expression Friday series. Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org.
 
Theme by Constant Companion

As booksellers continue to be on the front lines of many consumer and human rights issues, the need for professionally-led training to keep booksellers safe has never been more important. In this session, participants will learn essential de-escalation skills and strategies to gracefully handle difficult customer interactions and defuse tensions while prioritizing staff safety. Empower yourself with the tools you need to navigate challenging situations with confidence and professionalism, fostering a welcoming and supportive atmosphere in your bookstore.
Speakers
Chasity Rush, Talbert House - Cincinnati, OH
Files & Links
Slide Deck Video Recording De-Escalation Language  
Recorded February 14, 2024 at Winter Institute 2024 in Cincinnati, OH
Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org.
 
 
Theme song by Constant Companion

Independent bookstores are unique — your story, history, values, causes, and specialties are what differentiate you from others. Your “About Us” section on your website should be unlike anyone else’s too! It’s the easiest way, and one of the most important ways, to promote your store. Join this workshop on how to shift from a generic description about community and curation to one that reflects your store’s personality, makes loyal customers, entices new customers, and helps ABA pitch your store to the media, publishers, and others. 
Speaker
Matt Banker, Banker Creative - Saint Paul, MN Files & Links
Slide Deck Video  
Recorded February 12, 2024 at Winter Institute 2024 in Cincinnati, OH
Additional bookstore education resources can be found at www.bookweb.org.
 
 
Theme song by Constant Companion