American Booksellers Association
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The American Booksellers Association (ABA) is a non-profit industry association founded in 1900 that promotes independent bookstores. The ABA and its members support freedom of speech, literacy, and programs that encourage reading. Many independent booksellers are concerned about the potential negative impact on free speech by giant megachains, such as Barnes & Noble, or even nationwide web retailers, such as Amazon.com. The concern is that publishers cater to these retailers and that control over what books, and hence what ideas, are available will ultimately rest in the hands of these few companies (see propaganda model).
The ABA sponsors the Book Sense marketing program and associated BookSense.com web site, which is intended to preserve a connection between consumers and local independent bookstores.
