The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance is introducing the "Bibb Pick" to recognize annually an indie bookstore that is "warm, welcoming, inclusive and knowledgeable, always with a smile." The award is named in honor of the late bookseller Matt Bibb, whose mother will represent him at this fall's SIBA show in Norfolk, Va.
"Who will be 2015's Bibb Pick?" asked SIBA executive director Wanda Jewell in a recent post announcing the award. She urged members to attend #SIBA14 "to ensure that your bookstore appears on the ballot," noting that only stores that register before the September 1 ballot deadline will be eligible. Authors will vote while on-site, and the winner will be named at the end of the show.
"Going forward authors attending SIBA will vote for a store attending SIBA," Jewell explained. The store with the most votes becomes the Bibb Pick for that upcoming year, with more than 100 authors promoting and supporting the winner. "This kind of support cannot be bought. It can only be attained by attending the SIBA Trade Show and best representing the qualities of Matt Bibb: warm, welcoming, inclusive, knowledgeable, and always with a smile."
In addition, Workman Publishing is sponsoring a SIBA Show drink--the Bibb--in celebration of both his memory and their new title, The 12 Bottle Bar. Jewell observed: "Matt would have loved that book and his drink! Here's to Matt!"
