Innovation and excellence in the college store market since 1927
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THE ICBA MISSION
Since 1927, the Independent College Bookstore Association (ICBA) has been focused exclusively on serving institutionally-affiliated college store Members. Our mission is to support the independent operation of a college store, which is the most effective way to serve campus stakeholders. We provide value to our Members through education, networking, and vendor partner programs.
ICBA programs and services are designed to help stores remain independent and be financially and operationally successful. We want our Members to see us as an extension of their team. We provide industry-wide scope to complement a store's local expertise and insight, with the ultimate goal of exceeding the expectations of customers and the institution.
WHY ICBA IS COMMITTED TO INDEPENDENT STORES
Independent college stores are:
Innovative
The needs of students and faculty are growing, institutional priorities are shifting, and new teaching and learning technologies are constantly emerging. The changing landscape demands that college stores respond quickly if they expect to remain relevant and successful. Independent stores can adapt quickly to a changing market.
Community-Based
Independent college stores are answerable only to the communities they serve, leveraging their relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders to anticipate and provide the unique products and specific services they want and need. Chain stores answer to boards and shareholders who often do not understand the culture of the campus and community.
Institutionally-Affiliated
As an integral part of the institutions they serve, independent stores reflect the unique culture and current priorities of their institutions, which may change as the landscape of higher education continues to evolve. Chain stores measure their success against their own corporate objectives, which are not always in line with the objectives of the institution they serve.
WHY ICBA?
ICBA delivers value to its Members through:
OUR VALUES
Throughout our 98-year history, despite enormous change in the industry, ICBA has been guided by the same simple values:
Members
First
The organization will succeed only if its Member stores succeed
Mutual
Support
We’re never as good alone as we are together
Value To All Stakeholders
Real partnerships demand that everyone wins
Innovation
Drives Success
Stores get better or they get worse, there is no in-between
Never Compromise
On Quality
“Good enough” is just not good enough
Structure:
Ownership
ICBA is owned by our Member stores.
Qualifications
Membership in ICBA is open to any independent store. Independent is defined as institutional, as distinguished from private and lease-operated stores.
Mission
ICBA's core commitment is to provide the programs and services that will establish the institutional store model as the preferred management solution for higher education.
Performance
ICBA recognizes our core business as creating cooperative retail solutions for our owners.
Control
A Corporate Board of Directors elected by the owners, from among the owners, governs ICBA.
Financial Disclosure
ICBA discloses to Member management all aspects of all agreements and discussions entered into on behalf of our members, except when prohibited by vendor-required confidentiality.
Open Competition
ICBA's process and methodology for vendor selection includes open decision-making, quality, price and value analysis, and the encouragement and opportunity for vendor initiatives.
EMPLOYMENT
INDEPENDENT COLLEGE BOOKSTORE ASSOCIATION (ICBA) SUPPORTS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND NONDISCRIMINATION
The ICBA is an "Equal Opportunity Employer," and is fully committed to the principle of nondiscrimination in all employment-related practices and decisions, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, supervision, promotion, compensation, benefits, termination, and all other practices and decisions affecting ICBA employment status, rights, and privileges.
ICBA executives, and administrative staff exercising employee management responsibilities, are required to take vigorous and appropriate action to ensure that all employment-related practices and decisions are made without discrimination, harassment, or prejudicial treatment because of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, or protected veteran's status.
For complete details, contact JonBibo@ICBAinc.com.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION STATEMENT
As an organization, ICBA is committed to vigorous and appropriate action to ensure that all decisions are made without discrimination, harassment, or prejudicial treatment because of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, or protected veteran's status.
While we have more work to do as an organization to advance Diversity and Inclusion, we are making concerted efforts to move the independent college bookstore industry forward. We have developed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion action plan that pursues real, meaningful actions including strategies that touch on and align with ICBA’s key areas — Education, Networking, and Vendor Programs.
We are embarking on a journey of justice, inclusion, and equity that we hope will benefit all Member Stores, Vendor Partners, and the entire ICBA Community.
We honor and celebrate the diversity of all of the Members we serve. This is your ICBA.