Happy Holidays from GLIBA!

​2022 has been an incredible year of new challenges, growth, and community. As we end this year's holiday season stores across our region have seen increased sales as they still cope with the pandemic and return to pre-pandemic levels of in-store activity. Many have seen online sales begin to level out while in-store sales increase. In addition, many stores in 2022 have worked tirelessly to elevate underrepresented voices and battle book bans. As a sign of hope for the future, GLIBA has seen tremendous growth in BIPOC owned and alternative model bookstores opening. As well, this year GLIBA events began meeting in person again and the sense of community and vitality in our region has been transformative. The energy and enthusiasm of new booksellers was met with the gratefulness and relief of veteran stores eager to be in each other's company again. That joyous, eager, thankful, and hopeful energy is something I will never forget. I am grateful to serve the bookstores of GLIBA and I can't wait to see you all in 2023.
- Larry Law, Executive Director of GLIBA