The Independent Book Publishers Association Becomes an ALA Affiliate
“In today’s complex landscape, coalition-building across the publishing and library communities is more important than ever,” said Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, IBPA CEO, in a statement.
Through an array of programming and a stepped-up presence at library conferences, indie publishers and libraries have been noticeably working to tighten their bond in recent years. And an announcement this week makes the deepening relationship, well, official: The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) has become an ALA affiliate.
Notably, IBPA becomes the first publishing association among the ALA’s 28 affiliates, which are mostly library organizations. Becoming an ALA affiliate offers several perks for IBPA members—but perhaps most important is the opportunity to better align and pursue the advocacy efforts, including the diversity and freedom to read initiatives that have become so important in this era of politicized book bans.
“In today’s complex landscape, coalition-building across the publishing and library communities is more important than ever,” said Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, IBPA CEO, in a statement. “IBPA is honored to become an ALA affiliate and help strengthen connections between independent publishers and library professionals. We look forward to contributing our perspective and supporting libraries in their vital work to ensure access to diverse books and ideas.”
The announcement comes as indie publishers and libraries have made several efforts to tighten their bond in recent years, including the introduction of the IndieLib Forum, supported by the Digital Public Library of America and the Independent Publishers Caucus, which held its second event in April of this year after debuting at the Public Library Association conference in Columbus, Ohio, in 2024. And on June 27, the opening day of the ALA Annual Conference, Foreword Reviews hosted its third Library Insights Summit, an all-day event that focuses on building stronger ties between publishers and libraries, which IBPA co-hosted for the first time this year.
IBPA has been a stalwart presence at ALA conferences and has ramped up its involvement with ALA in recent years. At this year’s conference, which ended on June 30, IBPA reported representing more than 300 books, welcomed more than 1,400 visitors, and hosted 91 author signings at its expanded booth over the ALA conference’s four days. IBPA reps also participated in several sessions and talks.
Established in 1983, IBPA has some 3,500 members comprising traditional and hybrid independent publishers, university and nonprofit presses, and author-publishers. It is the largest association of publishers in the United States.
