Big Moments Ahead for BISG: Membership Growth, New Leadership, and Our 50th Anniversary
The Board of Directors of the Book Industry Study Group meets each quarter to discuss topics related to the governance and operations of BISG. At the most recent meeting, held January 29, the Board discussed its approach to searching for the next executive director of BISG and reviewed progress against the organization's strategic plan.
At each of its meetings, the Board accepts a report from the Executive Director that summarizes BISG efforts in the prior three months. Topics typically include membership, committees, and programming, along with other reports the board may require. The January report covered the following topics:
Membership Recruitment and Retention
As of the most recent Board meeting, membership trends showed modest shifts across categories, with a slight overall increase in total paid members and notable changes in prospect and expired member counts:
- 184 paid members, up 11 from October 2025 and the highest total in the past decade
- Commercial memberships increased by six to 89
- Nonprofit memberships increased by two to 54
- Individual memberships remained at 25
- Libraries decreased by one member, totaling seven
- The agent category, introduced in 2025, now has six members
- Expired members in the database total 121 organizations, down two from October
- We currently count 172 organizations or individuals as prospects in our database, up from 150 in October.
Since October, BISG welcomed back Lindenmeyr Book Publishing Papers and United Nations Publications. New members include: Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Mohrbooks Literary Agency, The Fisher Company, DropCap Rights Agency, Emerson College, Timothy Peterson, Lloyd Jassin, Edson Atwood, Collective Book Studio, G Agency, Sheridan, and Bookshop.org.
Board Nominations for 2026-2028 Term
BISG opened a call for board nominations from late October to December 2025. Ten nominations were received for five open seats across four segments (manufacturing and industry partner seats are not open this cycle). All four segments received applications. The nominating committee, which consists of Matt Kennell, Shelby Jenkins, and Thoe Tantipitham, received a summary of applications after the call for applications closed in December.
The committee met virtually on January 12 to discuss the process to use in evaluating candidates. A follow-up discussion is planned for early February, after the board meeting in Birmingham. A recommended slate will be announced by mid-March, and a vote of membership will take place at the member-only virtual Town Hall meeting scheduled for April 30.
Celebrating BISG's 50th Anniversary
The committee for BISG@50 continues to meet on a monthly basis. Liz Bartek, BISG's Marketing and Communications Manager, worked with BISG member Linda Secondari (Studiolo Seconrdari), who designed BISG's current logo and website, to develop branding specific to BISG’s 50th anniversary. Liz is also working on an activation plan to highlight other aspects of our anniversary positioning, culminating in a Book Publishing Next Forum and Anniversary Celebration scheduled for September 16, 2026 in New York City.
Our plans for 2026 were announced the week of January 12, and included information about the anniversary, the gala, and opportunities to get involved. Member communications explained the one-year move to combine the meeting normally held in April with the gala. The email also explained how a member-only virtual BISG Town Hall is set for April 30, at which we’ll present a look back and a look forward while also asking members to vote on an incoming slate of board members and the FY2027 budget.
BISG Content Strategy
The agenda for the January 29 meeting was initially planned to discuss and make decisions around BISG’s content strategy. Finalizing aspects of the search for the next executive director, coupled with a desire to review the status of BISG's three-year strategic plan, led to a postponement of the content strategy discussion until the virtual meeting planned for April 23.
The board started the content strategy conversation last summer, and in October it discussed potential answers to four questions posed around BISG content strategy. BISG produces a significant volume of content relative to peer associations, so clarity around its strategic intent is critical to decisions around how staff time and other resources are used. The four guiding questions include:
- What are the purposes of BISG content?
- Are there purposes that are better served (or only served) by not charging a fee for access? How do we make that distinction?
- For content for which free access is provided to members, is the purpose to increase the value of membership or provide a pain point that encourages non-members to join?
- Do we have the right mix of formats and delivery vehicles to meet our revenue and membership goals?
In earlier discussions, board members broadly agreed that content is one of BISG’s most important value drivers, supporting education, consensus-building, visibility, and BISG’s role as a trusted industry thought leader. Several members emphasized that membership should include meaningful access or discounts.
As BISG looks ahead to a milestone year, these updates reflect both steady progress and important decisions that will shape our future. From growing and diversifying our membership to preparing for board elections, a leadership transition, and the celebration of BISG’s 50th anniversary, the months ahead will be active and collaborative. We’re grateful for the continued engagement of our members and partners, and we look forward to sharing more as plans take shape throughout 2026.
If you have questions on these updates or any other aspect of how BISG operates, please reach out to Brian O'Leary, Executive Director, at brian@bisg.org.