IBPA Joins Foreword Reviews Conference Planning
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2024
Contact: Christopher Nesbit, Christopher@forewordreviews.com
Adeline Lui, adeline@ibpa-online.org
Library Insights Summit Partnership Announced: IBPA Joins Foreword Reviews Conference Planning
Traverse City, MI—The Library Insights Summit (LIS), introduced by Foreword Reviews’ Victoria and Matt Sutherland in 2023, announced a joint cooperation with the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) for their third annual event being held June 27, 2025, before the American Library Association Annual Conference, in Philadelphia.
The daylong conference focuses on bringing together publishers and librarians to discuss ways to do more business with each other, including improving metadata for title discovery, balancing digital and print book demand, collaborating on challenges faced by librarians, and marketing tactics for reaching both rural and urban systems. Two keynote speakers, lunch, and refreshments round out the day with plenty of time for networking.
“LIS was primarily focused on library business development for more established publishing houses, but we heard, and acted upon, an increasing demand for programming around smaller and newer independent and author publishers’ needs. We were happy to partner with IBPA to help us establish breakout sessions better suited to their concerns,” shared Victoria Sutherland, founding publisher of Foreword. “As a recent IBPA Board member, I am no stranger to the strength IBPA brings to our conference planning.”
“Libraries are a critical channel for small presses and author publishers, and we know that librarians are eager to add quality independently published books to their collections. Unfortunately, many small presses and author publishers don’t know how to make their books discoverable by the library market. That’s why IBPA is excited to partner with Foreword on LIS to help bridge that learning gap,” said IBPA CEO Andrea Fleck-Nisbet.
Registration for the LIS program opens December 16th. For further details visit the LIS information link here.
About Foreword Magazine, Inc.: Since 1998, Foreword Reviews has provided trade book reviews of the best titles from independent presses. In print, and online, its FOLIO: award-winning design and editorial content makes the magazine a favorite among librarians, booksellers, and readers—an excellent resource when it comes to purchasing books. Foreword INDIES and the fee-for-review Clarion service complement our online content and print magazine, helping to showcase diverse independent presses and their authors for over 26 years. Library Insights Summit brings our readers and publishing clients together to build industry collaboration. Visit forewordreviews.com
About the Independent Book Publishers Association: Founded in 1983 to support independent publishers nationwide, the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) leads and serves the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and tools for success. With over 3,000 members, IBPA is the largest publishing association in the U.S. Its vision is a world where every independent publisher has the access, knowledge, and tools needed to professionally engage in all aspects of an inclusive publishing industry. For more information, visit ibpa-online.org.
Victoria Sutherland
