GLIBA is the second youngest of the 10 regional booksellers associations. It was formed in late 1989 as the Michigan Booksellers Association in response to censorship legislation in that state. It had its first trade show in 1990 and published its first holiday catalog in 1991. The association grew quickly. In 1991 it expanded to include the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio as well as Michigan and changed its name to Great Lakes Booksellers Association.