Welcome to the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association!

In 2018, an exploratory committee made up of 25 booksellers came together to explore shared goals and the viability of a new association. The absence of an association representing Canadian indie booksellers had been identified by Canada’s book industry as a significant impediment to operationalizing creative ideas.

Renewed efforts to launch an association continued in May 2020 with a survey to determine what booksellers would like to see in an association. The results of the survey led to a grant proposal submitted by the ten founding board members of the newly formed corporation – the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association (CIBA).    

As your association, we will support you when and where you need it most – providing educational opportunities that will advance your business; resources that will improve efficiencies while saving time and money; creating networking opportunities with peers; and presenting a strong, united voice on the issues that matter most to independent booksellers.

CIBA will be the meeting place for booksellers and industry colleagues to build connections that will advance the promotion and sale of books through Canadian independent bookstores.   

The past year has been an extraordinary one, and we recognize the stress that small businesses, and especially bookstores, have encountered. We’re here to support you to meet the challenges ahead. 

The CIBA team is excited to welcome you and looks forward to working with you.

Doug Minett, Executive Director