Naperville bookseller named trade association president

Becky Anderson, co-owner of Anderson’s Bookshops in Naperville and Downers Grove, recently was elected president of the American Booksellers Association.

As president of the country’s largest trade group devoted to the business of independent book-selling, it’s appropriate to say Anderson has a new title and is beginning a new chapter.

This spring’s election resulted in a two-year term for the Naperville native, who took the helm of the organization in late May. Her tenure already has sent her this month to New Zealand as a panelist before the Booksellers of New Zealand organization and then to Australia, where she addressed the Australian Booksellers Association annual meeting in Melbourne.

In her speeches, Anderson shared with independent booksellers the success of the IndieBound movement, which united independent businesses in the United States and continues to bring attention to the uniqueness of independently-owned businesses in the face of the big box and online retailing world. IndieBound Australia is now launching a similar effort.

In fact, it’s been a banner year for Anderson. In addition to her election to head the ABA, Anderson and her store recently have earned other accolades.

In March, the bookshop business she owns with her three brothers — Tres, Pete and Bill — was named Publishers Weekly Bookstore of the Year. This honor celebrates one bookseller in the nation and cited the fifth-generation family bookstore for its role as a community leader and literary destination.

The store’s roots date back more than 135 years to Oswald’s Pharmacy (still operating), which early on added books to its inventory. The Naperville bookstore was the next branch of the company, followed by a Downers Grove location.

Today, the store draws hundreds of author signing programs annually and has expanded further to include a schoolbook fair company and a Naperville gift shop called Two Doors East.

Becky Anderson also was presented with the 2011 Woman of the Year Award from the Naperville branch of the American Association of University Women in early May at Naperville’s White Eagle Country Club.

The honors continued later in May when Anderson was named the recipient of the Sue Nisson Award from the Chicago Book Clinic organization, the Midwest organization for professional publishers. This lifetime achievement award was presented at the group’s annual dinner in Chicago.

Anderson was lauded for her commitment to book-selling and her community. Her excellence in marketing, buying for both the children’s and wholesale sides, and in coordinating special events are well known in the industry.

Anderson’s Bookshop of Naperville also just completed its year as Small Business of the Year 2010 from the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Anderson’s Bookshops are at 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, (630) 355-2665; and 5112 Main St., Downers Grove, (630) 963-2665. For details, visit andersonsbookshop.com.