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WORD: ABA says indie bookstores to benefit from Google eBooks
Edited Press Release

As Google launched its long awaited eBooks platform today, the American Booksellers Association (ABA) announced its support for the Mountain View, Calif., firm's new platform, saying independent bookstores would benefit from its "open and accessible platform so ABA member bookstores can provide an easy way for their customers to discover, read, and buy ebooks at competitive prices."

Indie bookstore customers no longer have to choose between reading digital and supporting their local bookstore -- the American Booksellers Association announced today, Monday, December 6, 2010, that ABA member stores with IndieCommerce websites are now selling Google eBooks online. Google launched its ebook program today.

"This partnership with Google is an important chapter in the renaissance we've been seeing in independent bookselling," said ABA President Michael Tucker, co-owner of Books Inc. bookstores in California. "It allows our membership to better compete with corporate retailers on selection, price, and convenience. It levels the playing field."

A Google eBook is a new form of cloud-based digital book that allows readers to access their libraries on almost any device from one single repository, regardless of where the ebook was purchased. ABA has partnered with Google because of its open and accessible platform so ABA member bookstores can provide an easy way for their customers to discover, read, and buy ebooks at competitive prices. Google is offering hundreds of thousands of titles for sale, ranging from new releases and bestsellers in every category to classics in the public domain.

"There is unmistakable evidence that an increasing number of consumers want to read books in digital form, as shown by the almost doubling of ebook sales in the last year" said ABA Chief Operating Officer Len Vlahos. "Google eBooks allow our members to serve those customers how, when, and where they want to be served and allows customers to continue to take advantage of the unique services of local retailers. This is a very exciting day for independent bookselling."

A list of participating ABA member stores in the Bay Area that opted-in to sell Google eBooks online include San Francisco stores The Booksmith, Green Apple Books, Books Inc., Oakland's DIESEL A Bookstore, Pegasus & Pendragon Fine Books in Berkeley, Kepler's Books & Magazines in Menlo Park, and Book Passage in Corte Madera. The full list, which will be updated periodically, can be found at the Indiebound website.

Because Google eBooks work  with myriad devices -- tablets, smartphones, computers, even most e-ink devices - consumers are free to shop from a variety of retailers rather than being bound to one retailer. This opens up a wealth of indie recommendations and bestsellers to avid ebook readers.

"Our partnership with the American Booksellers Association is helping to bring ebooks technology to independent booksellers and their customers nationwide," said Chris Palma, manger of strategic partner development for Google Books. "This is just the beginning for us."

 

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