The program will launch shortly after the first of the year. Customers will be able to access the search from IOBA’s homepage or from a member’s home page. The search function is being provided by the Advance Book Exchange (ABE) and will search IOBA members inventory on ABE. The search function will be identified as IOBA’s, not ABE’s. The only ABE identification will be an option at the end of the search to go to ABE if the customer wants more listings.
“This is one of the most exciting steps taken by IOBA,” said Sally Hollingsworth, IOBA acting president. “The ABE search will draw the public to the IOBA site and will be an important step in promoting our member booksellers. It is an excellent alternative to our own database for selling books. Buyers will be assured of highest quality transactions and will be able to contact our Ethics committee if dissatisfied with their purchase.”
IOBA members may wish to explore the Georgia Antiquarian Booksellers Association (www.gaba.net ) or the Florida Antiquarian Booksellers Association (www.floridabooksellers.com) sites to see how the IOBA search function will work. While IOBA’s page will look slightly different, it will operate in the much the same fashion.
With the launch of the IOBA search function, the organization will also begin an advertising campaign in Firsts and other book collecting publications promoting our search function, IOBA’s membership and our ethical standards. The Firsts ads will be one-half page.
“Our advertising campaign is at the core of IOBA’s purpose”, said Jim Hart, president. “IOBA members have pledged to adhere to high ethical and professional standards and we want customers to know that IOBA membership is a badge of professionalism. Our advertising campaign is the first step in achieving that goal.”
IOBA members who have not yet joined the IOBA search function should send their firm name, ABE User ID and ABE password to Leonard Lanfranco, IOBA Public Relations Committee Chair (columbia@pagefour.com) before December 15 to be included. Members who have sent their information and are not on this list and who have sent in their information should contact Lanfranco immediately.
Members who have signed up so far include:
Anglophile Books Authors & Artists A Better Way Ainsworth Books B is for Book Bartmanbooks.com The Book House The Bookie Joint Books from the Crypt Canterbury Books Columbia Books Commonplace Books Alyce Cresap, Books & Ephemera Curio Corner Books DaNa Books Robert Erwin, Bookseller The Gallagher Collection RS Geer, Inc. Estella Geller, Books M.L. Granlund, Bookseller Century Books High Castle Books Janus Books Kaatterskill Books Novel Shoppe Poe’s Cousin Parnassus on the Net Published Page Quill & Brush Ravenroost Books S&D Collections Constance Sabo Bookseller\ Stray Books Tavistock Books Tim’s Books Volk & Iiams Webster’s Bookstore Cafe