The American Booksellers Association’s 8th annual Children’s Institute (Ci8) is going virtual! From the comfort of stores and homes across the country, hundreds of independent booksellers will be brought together with publishers for two days of education, special events, and publisher meetings during Ci8.

The event will take place online July 15–16 in the Eastern time zone. Access links were sent to attendees on July 10. Booksellers who experience any difficulties joining or during the meeting can email eventtech@bookweb.org [1].

This year’s institute will feature three education sessions on the topics of representation in middle grade and young adult books, utilizing your store's unique voice to attract customers in this new time of bookselling, and antiracism training. Also featured will be a keynote address from author Isaac Fitzgerald and two opportunities to meet with publisher reps.

Questions about the Children’s Institute can be directed to childrensinstitute@bookweb.org [2]. ABA encourages all Children’s Institute attendees to review the association’s code of conduct [3] ahead of the event.