As 2025 comes to a close, we look back on a year marked by collaboration and meaningful progress for booksellers across Europe and beyond. Our work took us to international stages, brought important advocacy victories for the sector and marked significant transitions within our organisation. Here are some of the highlights that shaped this remarkable year.  

EIBF at international events   

Throughout the year, we were privileged to participate in a range of members’ and partners’ events across the globe. From meeting overseas colleagues at the American Booksellers Association (ABA)’s Winter Institute in Denver, Colorado, to discussing the book sector’s sustainability at the Rencontres internationales de l’ecologie pour le livre in Strasbourg, France and book promotion at the Torino Book Fair, to mention a few. These gatherings strengthened our ties with national associations and offered invaluable insight into the shared challenges and innovations emerging in the global bookselling landscape. Our presence abroad reaffirmed EIBF’s position on the global stage as the voice of booksellers.  

Advocating for booksellers interests

On 19 March 2025, EIBF President Fabian Paagman, Director Julie Belgrado and Policy Team Tora Åsling and Lorenzo Dall'Omo had the pleasure to meet with European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sports, Glenn Micallef . We greatly appreciated the Commissioner's openness and keen interest in our sector, as well as the opportunity to exchange views on the priorities of booksellers across Europe.

RISE Conference in Riga, Latvia  

We hosted another vibrant edition of the RISE Bookselling Conference. This conference has become a true highlight, which we look forward to every year. EIBF is incredibly proud that the RISE conference has grown into this milestone event, and honoured by the popularity and high attendance participants reward us with each year. The RISE conference is the first and only international event dedicated entirely to bookselling. Since 2023, we bring together over 300 booksellers, book sector professionals, and cultural actors from all over the world.   

Celebrating emerging fiction writers through EUPL  

As a part of the consortium behind the European Union Prize for Literature, EIBF was proud to once again ensure the initiative helps celebrating emerging fiction writers from Creative Europe countries and bringing distinctive voices to readers across borders. On 15 May, at the Prague Book Fair in Czechia, the 2025 EUPL laureate, Italian Nicoletta Verna, was announced, together with two special mentions: Sheila Armstrong, Ireland and Philippe Marczewski, Belgium.  

EIBF at the Frankfurt Book Fair  

At the 77th Frankfurter Buchmesse, besides one-on-one meetings with members and stakeholders, EIBF had the opportunity to co-organise, along with the Fair’s Frankfurt Calling programme, the Bookselling in Times of War panel, spotlighting booksellers and they ways in which they sustain their work when polarisation, censorship, or even full-scale war threatens them and the communities they serve.  

Publication of the EIBF AI Charter  

A major milestone of 2025 was the release of the EIBF Charter on Artificial Intelligence, establishing guiding principles for EIBF’s approach to the responsible use of AI in the book sector. The Charter aims to help navigate technological change in a way that protects the principle of copyright while staying open to innovations.  

EUDR – A historic victory for the book sector 

Throughout 2025, EIBF has diligently advocated for the interests of booksellers as policymakers shape the EU’s political agenda. One of the year’s defining achievements was the agreement between the Council and the European Parliament, that books should be excluded from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This agreement recognises the unique nature and democratic value of books, as well as the sector’s commitment to sustainability. It was the result of extensive advocacy efforts, from EIBF and its membership, and a testament to all the booksellers who mobilised and made the voice of booksellers heard by European decisionmakers.   

End of an Era – Julie Belgrado’s departure 

 In 2025, we also said goodbye to our long-serving Director, Julie Belgrado, whose 11 years of leadership and dedication shaped EIBF into the organisation it is today. Her vision and commitment leave a lasting legacy.  

Looking ahead: Verona, new leadership, and renewed engagement  

As we prepare for 2026, we look forward to welcoming a new Director to the EIBF team and to gathering once again for the next RISE Conference—this time in the beautiful city of Verona, Italy on 19-20 April. We also eagerly anticipate reconnecting with our members and partners at international trade events throughout the year. 2025 reminded us that our strength lies in community and collaboration, and the shared belief that bookshops and books are pillars for culture, society and democracy.

EIBF celebrates historic agreement: printed products — including books — to be excluded from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

The European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) celebrates today’s provisional agreement between the Council and the European Parliament to correct the EUDR and remove printed products — such as books, newspapers and magazines — from its scope.

This landmark agreement reflects a clear understanding of the particular nature of books and printed media, which do not present a deforestation risk given that the vast majority are already produced using certified, recycled and sustainably sourced paper. It also recognises the extensive advocacy efforts by EIBF, together with a broad coalition of Europe’s book, magazine and newspaper publishers. Furthermore, this agreement is a testament to the mobilisation of thousands of booksellers across Europe, who — encouraged by EIBF — reached out to their national governments and Members of the European Parliament and made their voices heard. Legislators have acknowledged that applying full due-diligence obligations to printed products would have created disproportionate and unnecessary burdens for the sector, with consequences for the wider book ecosystem, including libraries and educational institutions, and for cultural diversity across Europe.

The book sector remains fully committed to further improving its environmental footprint. Today’s acknowledgment of the unintended impact the original EUDR scope could have had on cultural diversity is an important encouragement, giving our sector the clarity and confidence to continue investing proactively in sustainable practices.

Acknowledging the key success for books and cultural diversity, EIBF President Fabian Paagman remarked: 

“This agreement is a profound victory for Europe’s cultural and knowledge-based sectors. It shows that environmental protection and cultural access go hand in hand. By enabling books to continue circulating freely, we strengthen Europe’s pluralism, our bookshops and citizens’ access to information and ideas — while continuing to advance the sector’s commitment to sustainability. This decision also recognises the sector’s ongoing efforts to further improve its sustainability, giving us confidence to continue building a greener future for books. We now call on all EU institutions to confirm this necessary correction and ensure its swift and full implementation.”

With this decision, the EU safeguards both forests and citizens’ access to literature, cultural diversity and knowledge. We now await the formal confirmation of the agreement by both the Council and the European Parliament, and trust that this process will proceed swiftly and without delay. 

The European & International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) is pleased to announce the opening of recruitment for its next Director, following the departure of Julie Belgrado, whose decade of dedicated leadership has been central to EIBF’s growth and success.

EIBF represents the global voice of booksellers, championing book-friendly policies, leading EU and international projects, and supporting a dynamic network of national booksellers’ associations across Europe and beyond. Based in Brussels, the organisation engages closely with the EU policy environment to foster a resilient, diverse and sustainable bookselling sector worldwide.

We are now seeking an experienced, forward-looking Director to lead our Brussels secretariat and represent booksellers at the highest levels of EU and international policymaking. This is a unique opportunity to guide a small but highly active organisation with a strong mission and an engaged global community.

What we’re looking for

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Proven leadership experience in a cultural organisation, NGO, federation, policy, or lobbying environment
• A strong understanding of EU policymaking and the Brussels landscape
• Experience managing EU-funded projects and working with a broad range of stakeholders
• A collaborative, diplomatic approach to relationship-building across borders
• Excellent communication skills and confidence as a spokesperson
• Solid organisational, strategic and financial management capabilities
• A genuine affinity with books, reading, and the cultural sector
• Fluency in English; French highly preferred; other EU languages are an asset

About the role

• Location: Brussels
• Sector: Books, culture, EU policy
• Salary: €80,000 (or equivalent contracting arrangement)

If you are passionate about books, committed to supporting the cultural sector, and motivated by the prospect of leading an international, mission-driven organisation, we would be delighted to hear from you.

How to apply

To express interest or request further information, please email the hiring agency at eibf@madlinhanna.com. Deadline for applications is 9 January 2026.

EIBF warmly welcomes the European Parliament vote to exclude printed products from the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), together with a coalition representing the book, newspaper and magazine publishing sectors in Europe, welcome today’s vote in the European Parliament to exclude printed products, including books, from the scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This decision represents an important recognition by Members of the European Parliament of the specific nature of the book and printed media sectors and the disproportionate burdens the regulation would have placed on the book and printed media ecosystem across Europe.

We are grateful for the cross-party support that led to this outcome, and for the Members of the European Parliament who acknowledged the cultural, democratic and societal value of books. Their vote reflects a clear understanding: protecting forests does not have to come at the expense of Europe’s cultural ecosystem or citizens’ access to knowledge and information.

EIBF has consistently supported the objectives of the EUDR: Our industry is committed to responsible sourcing, sustainable paper production and environmental stewardship. We emphasise that books are a low-risk, high-quality product. The vast majority of books sold in Europe are printed on FSC-certified or responsibly sourced paper, often within Europe or in other low-risk countries. The book sector has long-established, sustainable supply chains, which is why the European Parliament’s vote is a balanced decision that protects both forests and culture, advancing the EU’s environmental ambitions without undermining cultural diversity, press freedom or the availability of books.

We now urge the Council to swiftly confirm this necessary amendment, safeguarding EU citizens’ access to literature, information and culture.

EIBF President, Fabian Paagman said:

“Today’s vote is a strong signal that the European Parliament recognises the essential role books and bookshops play in our cultural and democratic life. We fully support the EU’s environmental goals, but regulations must remain proportionate and workable. By excluding printed products, the European Parliament has ensured that the EU can protect forests without restricting citizens’ access to books, knowledge and diverse voices. We now call on the Council to, without delay, recognise and confirm this crucial amendment during the trilogues.”

In response to the European Commission's new proposal for amending the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), joined by a coalition representing the book, magazine and newspaper publishing sectors, call on the co-legislators, the Council and the European Parliament, to exclude printed products such as books from Annex I to the regulation. Read the statement below and attached. Attached you will also find the joint statement with the book, magazine and newspaper publishing sectors and a detailed explanation of the administrative burden placed on booksellers.

European & International Booksellers Federation - Statement on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

EIBF supports the goals of the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products EU/2023/1115 (EUDR), however, we regret to note that it represents a largely disproportionate administrative burden for an industry that does not contribute to global deforestation. Books were not included in the Commission's original 2021 proposal, and therefore no impact assessment was made for our industry. Currently, the EUDR – designed without taking into account the functioning of our sector, nor the position of bookshops as downstream operators – weigh heavily on booksellers and risk negative impact on cultural diversity and citizens’ access to knowledge and information.

1.Books represent a low-risk, high-quality product supply chain

Books are already sustainable: a majority are printed on FSC-certified paper in Europe or imported from low-risk countries, and the industry has developed robust supply chains of high-quality products. Therefore, the sector anticipates that the sole impact of the EUDR on the book supply chain will be the introduction of increased administrative burdens for all actors. 

2. EUDR does not account for the complexity of the book value chain

Books are not like other commodities: they are vehicles for information, with vast democratic and cultural value. Each copy of a book consists of multiple different types of paper (pages, binding, cover etc.) and each type of paper can be a mix of multiple different kinds of pulp, as well as recycled paper mass. Because of this, and the fact that multiple editions of a given title are in circulation under the same ISBN code simultaneously, Traces, and the reporting framework of Due Diligence Statements (DDS), would force businesses in the book sector to disproportionate “over-reporting,” as each entry has to reference the DDS of all editions of a given book. 

3. The administrative burden of non-EU import is disproportionate and will impact Europeans’ access to information and cultural diversity 

All EU markets that have a high presence of English literature, with supply chains from the UK and USA will be disproportionately impacted by the EUDR. In addition, foreign language and academic bookshops, (often SMEs or micro-companies) who import books for students, libraries or universities, will face insurmountable administrative burdens. Consequently, European libraries and universities, many of which rely on bookshops for the supply of books, will also be impacted. Thus, the EUDR brings a massively negative impact on literary diversity, as well as to European citizens’ access to books, culture, knowledge and information. 

Amid declining literacy rates, increasing disinformation and polarisation, European legislation must support the green transition of the book ecosystem and its mission to promote reading and access to books, not introduce regulations that do not justly consider the reality of the industry. 

To safeguard European bookshops and European citizens' access to literature, knowledge and cultural diversity, we ask to realign the EUDR with the Commission’s original 2021 proposal, which rightly excluded printed products, such as books, from Annex I of the regulation.

Today, on the UN International Media and Information Literacy Day, the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) is proud to release its Charter on Artificial Intelligence, outlining our vision and guiding principles for the responsible and ethical use of AI in the bookselling and wider book ecosystem. 

The book sector and society as a whole find themselves at a watershed moment: AI offers both significant opportunities and serious challenges. EIBF recognises that AI technologies can bring efficiency, innovation, and operational support for booksellers. At the same time, AI raises serious concerns around copyright, transparency, accountability, and environmental sustainability. EIBF stresses that a robust protection of copyright and creators’ rights is fundamental to sustaining cultural diversity, innovation, and fair competition. 

Among the guiding principles, the Charter highlights: 

• Copyright as the foundation of the book ecosystem. Intellectual property protection remains essential to the sustainability of authors, publishers, and booksellers alike. 
• Innovation built on respect for rights. Creative works protected under copyright enable technological development, including AI systems themselves. 
• Governance and accountability. EIBF supports the EU AI Act as a basis for trustworthy AI but underlines the importance of effective enforcement and ongoing monitoring. 
• Human-centric and ethical AI. Developers of generative AI tools should disclose the data sources used to train their models, ensuring transparency and fair use of creative works. 
• Transparency for consumers. Readers should be able to identify when content has been generated by AI, through clear, standardised labelling developed through the industry’s initiative. 
• Environmental responsibility. AI developers and providers should take responsibility for the environmental impact of their systems in line with broader green objectives. 
• Fair competition and support for SMEs. Policies and initiatives should consider the realities of small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the majority of the European book sector. 

EIBF President, Fabian Paagman, notes: “With this Charter, EIBF reaffirms its commitment to promoting innovation while safeguarding the rights of creators, ensuring transparency for consumers, and supporting a competitive and sustainable book industry. We look forward to working closely with our colleagues across the book sector to uphold these shared values.” 

Read the full Charter below. 

Another year, another Frankfurter Buchmesse! Now that the 77th edition of the Frankfurt Book Fair is behind us, let’s cast an eye back to EIBF’s activities across the fair – marked by EIBF’s participation in the organisation of the Bookselling in Times of War panel, part of the fair’s Frankfurt Calling programme.

EIBF’s programme this year was a bit different: instead of attending panels and events, it prioritised one-on-one meetings with members and significant stakeholders across the industry.

However, this year EIBF also had the opportunity to co-organise, along with the Fair’s Frankfurt Calling programme, the Bookselling in Times of War panel, aimed at spotlighting booksellers and they ways in which they sustain their work when polarization, censorship, or even full-scale war threatens them and the communities they serve.

The conversation, moderated by Erin Cox (publisher at Publishing Perspectives) brought together booksellers from Kyiv (Oleksii Erinchak, Сенс), Jerusalem (Mahmoud Muna, Educational Bookshop), and San Francisco (Vanessa Martini, Green Apple Books) and explored how they protect stories, nurture readers, and keep cultural spaces alive amid different kinds of pressure. Each participant shared their own experience, from everyday challenges to inventive forms of resilience, offering a look at bookshops as anchors of dialogue, memory, and hope.

Oleksii highlighted the transformation of his bookshop from a ‘simple’ business into a crucial community hub and cultural space. Opened in January 2022 (one month before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine), Сенс had to quickly adapt and evolve into a role that was not initially envisioned. Indeed, with the start of the military aggression, it evolved into a hub where civilians and military personnel could find refuge: a safe haven amid chaos and uncertainty. Beyond its protective role, the shop also became a beacon of Ukrainian cultural preservation through literature and acting as a site of resistance and identity safeguarding. It saw a decisive shift in consumer preferences as well, reflecting its newfound role as a vanguard for cultural protection and self-affirmation: before the invasion, 80% of books sold were in the Russian language, now obviously no longer the case, with Ukrainian-language books emerging as the preference (or better, as the necessity). Interestingly, this newfound purpose and mission still had to face the reality of the book market: how do you compete with phenomena like BookTok, which provide a much higher level of commercial profit and sustainability, with ethical imperatives such as raising political awareness on current contemporary issues?

Similarly, Mahmoud described how The Educational Bookshop in Jerusalem goes far beyond ‘just’ selling books: it promotes critical thought and dialogue in an environment often marred by political tension and oppression. Initially focused on Arabic-language works, the shop expanded to include English, Italian, and Spanish titles to reach broader audiences. Mahmoud argued that when political systems fail, bookshops shoulder a moral responsibility to keep discourse alive as booksellers ‘’are in the business of promoting ideas’’. For Mahmoud, the concept of ‘political’ varies across contexts: in oppressed societies, neutrality is impossible because everything is political – starting with your very own existence. This places an even greater importance on the role of booksellers as promoters of diverse thought, an alternative to the status-quo imposed from above. As eloquently put by Mahmoud, ‘’bookshops need booksellers, not a till’’.

Moving along across the pond, Vanessa reflected on the unique challenges faced by U.S. bookshops, especially amid increasing book bans and restrictions in schools. She pointed out that while institutions of formal education and knowledge inquiry face censorship and funding cuts, independent bookstores, like Green Apple Books, can sustain intellectual freedom because they are not reliant on federal funding and support and thus find themselves in a unique position to continue, steadfast in their mission, without legal hinderances or conditionalities. Vanessa also stressed the power of booksellers as curators, reminding peers of the significance of seemingly small acts in shaping cultural and intellectual spaces. 

The discussion among these formidable booksellers crystallised one irrefutable truth: bookselling is far more than a commercial act: it is an act of political courage, cultural resistance, and civil defiance. Bookshops stand as sanctuaries for peace, democracy, and tolerance, even under threat. Supporting them politically and economically is not optional; it is imperative for the health of our communities. It is also imperative that we continue to carve out spaces for booksellers to tell their stories and be an active participant in societal discourse – exactly what was possible thanks to the stage at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025.

Today, leading voices from international organizations across the publishing and book sector come together to launch the statement “Belonging Matters — For Our Sector, Our Societies, and the Stories We Share.”

The statement emphasizes that belonging is central to advancing the exchange of ideas, promoting democratic values, and supporting the free flow of information worldwide. By embedding inclusion at the heart of publishing and books, the sector seeks to ensure that all participants can contribute meaningfully, while readers can access stories and knowledge from diverse perspectives.

The signatories hope that this statement can serve as a call for the entire publishing and book ecosystem to stand firm against divisiveness and to cultivate a culture of belonging that reflects the rich diversity of our global community.

The initiative is supported by International Publishers Association (IPA), International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Frankfurt Book Fair, PEN International, European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), reflecting a shared vision of a publishing ecosystem that champions inclusion, protects freedom of expression, and fosters collaboration across borders.

The launch coincides with the first Belonging Summit, a high-level panel discussion, hosted at the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair programming on the centre stage on Wednesday 15th October.

This initiative is welcomed by the United Nations with Mary Glenn, Chief of UN publications saying, “We welcome this call to action recognizing that belonging is at the heart of sustainable development and the 2030 agenda. It reminds us that development is not only about human progress, but also about creating a sustainable future that benefits both people and the planet. When we create inclusive spaces, we can nurture understanding and empower action. We have already seen this in action with the SDG Publishers Compact, where a shared sense of purpose has driven action in support of a more sustainable world.”

Arne Svingen, International Secretary of PEN International said: “Belonging thrives where right of freedom of expression is upheld and where every voice can be heard without fear. Today, the ability to exchange ideas is under threat with the silencing of writers and banning of books. These are not just acts of censorship but serve to undermine democratic foundations. As a sector, we must foster the feeling of belonging and protect, together, the rights for individuals to express, to read and to be heard”.

Giovanni Hoepli, Vice President, International Publishers Association said: “In an era where the core pillars of publishing freedom are under threat, our role as publishers is more vital than ever. Through accessible books, inclusive book clubs, and stories that reach everyone we can advance the Sustainable Development Goals, foster belonging, and nurture a culture of inclusion within our own publishing houses. Protecting the freedom to publish is also about empowering diverse voices and building a world where everyone has the right to read, share, and belong.”

Basarat Kazim, President, International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) said: “We are delighted that IBBY joins as a signatory to this crucial statement. At the heart of our mission is the belief that younger generations must grow up with stories that foster understanding through their reflection of belonging, diversity, and respect. As the citizens of tomorrow, their role is fundamental to building more empathetic and inclusive societies, and it is our shared responsibility to ensure they are seen and heard through the books they read.”

Fabian Paagman, EIBF President and CEO, Paagman Boekhandels said:  At EIBF, we firmly believe that the freedom to read is fundamental to a thriving society. Every reader deserves access to diverse voices and ideas, and it is our responsibility to ensure that bookshops remain a space where everyone can explore, question, and belong.

Find the full statement in attachment below.

Every year, Banned Books Week shines a spotlight on the harms of censorship and celebrates the freedom to read. While its roots are in the United States, the movement’s message resonates globally: restricting access to books restricts access to ideas. This year, as stories of book challenges and bans continue to dominate headlines across borders, the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) invited Philomena Polefrone, PhD, to share her perspective on what these developments mean for booksellers beyond the US.

Philomena is the Associate Director of American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE), the free expression initiative of the American Booksellers Association (ABA), and a LGBTQI+ Global Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights. In the piece below, she examines how the wave of book bans in the United States has begun to ripple outward — and what European booksellers should know, and can do, to prepare.

Book Bans: What I Wish We’d Known

Five Lessons about Book Censorship by Philomena Polefrone

Picture: Philomena Polefrone, Phd, Associate Director of ABFE

In an age of tariffs, book bans have become the United States’ least-appealing export. 

Last year, in Brazil, politicians allied with former Prime Minister Jair Bolsonaro banned books in multiple districts for such offenses as discussing race, depicting female scientists, and violating “good manners.” Also last year, in Australia, a Cumberland City Council member attempted to ban books about queer parents. Though he was thwarted by public outcry, the incident has been taken as a warning. Just recently, a UK parent made headlines after leading the charge to ban The Hate U Give, an award-winning book by Angie Thomas about race in America. The parent claimed it would make white students feel like “the baddies.” 

None of these examples are from EU countries, but Europe, as well as its booksellers, should take notice. These headlines sound like they come from newspapers in the United States, but they are becoming more common globally. As the Associate Director of American Booksellers for Free Expression (ABFE) — and as an advocate for booksellers against book censorship in a country that has become notorious for it — I can offer some insight into what might come next outside the US if this trend continues. Here are five things I wish we’d known before extreme censorship groups like Moms for Liberty and their ilk started banning books in Florida and beyond.

1. Bookstores are not immune. 

In the past year, ABFE has responded to more than 60 requests for support from bookstores experiencing harassment, vandalism, and intimidation because of books they sell, events they hold, or other acts of free expression. The purpose of this targeting is to scare booksellers into compliance with the complainant’s ideology and silence speech that disagrees with it. 

Some think bookstores are immune to censorship because they generally do not have book challenge procedures like those of many school or library boards. That’s incorrect. Bookstores face censorship by other means when they have to second-guess their curation for fear of intimidation.

2. Book banning spreads.

The current wave of book bans began in the US state of Florida. More locally, we have seen lists of books circulate between groups in neighboring school districts or states. Websites that claim to offer content ratings, but that actually apply deeply ideological lenses and take passages out of context, help would-be censors gather lists of books they want to ban without even reading them. If such a list works in one community or state, other groups in other areas take note, and try to get the list banned in their own backyard.

If you see a book being banned in the next town over, or even in a neighboring country, it’s time to preempt it where you live. Watching for signs of censorship nearby lets you prepare for likely lines of argument (like “this book is pornography” or “this violates my religious beliefs”), tactics (reading passages of books out loud out of context and misrepresenting which part of the library it’s in), and book lists. 

You can consult PEN America’s list of books that were banned in the 2023-2024 school year to get an idea of the kinds of books that have been targeted recently — and keep an eye out for data on last year, which is generally released annually during Banned Books Week. 

3. Organize early.

US book censors were able to change school board policies or take over school districts before anyone was aware they were doing it. Organizing proactively so you can be ready to respond if and when censorship starts in your area is essential to prevent being caught off guard. This can mean gathering resources like Banned Book Résumés and “The ABA Right to Read Toolkit,” familiarizing yourself with the content, and learning about the policies in place at your local school and library regarding book challenges and collection development. It can also simply mean raising awareness about censorship among your customers and having conversations that will help them know what to look for.

4. Policy can preserve books.

The most sweeping acts of book censorship happen when decision-makers panic after receiving a complaint (often exaggerated or misleading) about a book’s contents. Curation and weeding policies can prevent fear-based reactions and ensure a book’s artistic, literary, or educational value is taken into consideration. The American Library Association has sample policies for selection and reconsideration of materials in libraries, and ABFE’s resources page has starting points for thinking about your own store’s curation policy. These policies do not need to permit book challenges. But they can give you something to point to if someone is trying to pressure you into removing a book or canceling an event.

A policy is only as good as its implementation, though. In many cases, we see that book bans occur when a school, library, or bookstore does not follow its own stated policies. Hold yourself and others in your community to a high standard of consistency.

5. Build coalitions. 

Bookstores, schools, and libraries are not competitors, they’re allies in the fight for a robust literary culture. Building relationships with schools and libraries — whether by co-hosting events, selling books at author visits to schools, or cross-posting events and programs — is not just good business. It also makes you more prepared to respond to censorship if and when it arises. Similarly, many customers want to know about book censorship and understand that reading banned books is a way to keep the ideas they contain alive. Gathering banned books together, especially during specific times like Banned Books Week or when censorship is in your national conversation, sells books and starts conversations with potential local advocates at the same time.

No one thing can stop censorship from happening in your area. But bookseller involvement can be the key to spreading the word about censorship attempts and maximizing the chances that they can be rebuffed.

Book bans may be crossing oceans, but EIBF believes booksellers can stay one step ahead — a first step is exploring Philomena Polefrone’s ABA Right to Read Handbook. We thank Philomena for sharing her valuable insights in this blog post.

After more than ten years of dedicated service to the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), Julie Belgrado has informed the organisation of her decision to step down from her role as Director to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of European Screen Directors (FERA).

Her departure marks the conclusion of a remarkable chapter in the federation’s history and the beginning of a new phase of development. Throughout her decade at EIBF, including seven years as Director, Julie has played a central role in guiding the federation through a period of growth, transformation and achievement. Under her leadership, EIBF strengthened its presence in European cultural policy and ensured that the voice of booksellers was heard at the highest political levels. She oversaw the expansion of the Secretariat in Brussels, led the launch of the Creative Europe–funded RISE Bookselling network, and fostered collaboration among bookseller associations across Europe and beyond. Julie also championed initiatives promoting literacy, sustainability and resilience within the bookselling sector.

Her tenure has been characterised by openness, collaboration and innovation, and by a deep conviction that booksellers thrive when they connect, share knowledge and stand together.

Reflecting on her decision, Julie Belgrado said:
“Over the past years, EIBF has been much more than a job to me. It’s been a place of learning, passion, and growth—where I was trusted to try new ideas, supported to bring them to life, and encouraged to share knowledge with others. I’m proud of the legacy I leave behind, and grateful for the extraordinary commitment and support of EIBF members, especially the Executive Committee. Despite challenges along the way, I take with me wonderful memories: inspiring encounters across the globe, the passion and kindness of booksellers, their resilience, creativity, and strong sense of community. It has been an honour and privilege to represent their voice over the past ten years and ensure they are heard where it matters most.”

Fabian Paagman, President of EIBF, commented: “On behalf of the Executive Committee and our entire network, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Julie for her exceptional leadership, vision and dedication over the past decade. She has strengthened the role and visibility of EIBF at European and international level, while always putting booksellers at the heart of our mission. We are sad to see her go, but also proud of what has been achieved under her guidance, and we wish her every success for the future.”

In the coming weeks, the Executive Committee will launch the process of appointing a new Director. During the transition, Julie will support the handover to ensure continuity and stability.

EIBF remains deeply committed to fostering connections among booksellers, promoting best practices, and advocating for a thriving, diverse and sustainable bookselling ecosystem in Europe and internationally. With new leadership, the organisation will continue to build on Julie’s legacy and take the opportunity to further develop its mission and ambitions.