Linda-Marie Barrett, the executive director of the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, will step down at the end of 2026. She joined the SIBA team in 2017 as the assistant executive director and became exec director in 2020. The board of directors is currently developing a search committee for the next executive director and will release more details soon.
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| Linda-Marie Barrett (photo: Jon Mayes) |
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During her tenure with the organization, "membership has more than doubled; staffing has been expanded to include social media, membership, and sales positions; existing programming rebranded and updated; and new programming, like the Anti-Racism Toolkit and Indie Press Socials, launched," SIBA noted.
In addition, SIBA entered into two successful collaborative partnerships: with RAMP, the Regional Association Marketing and Promotions consortium; and with the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association (NAIBA) for New Voices New Rooms online and in-person programming. In 2025, SIBA completed an extensive update and rebranding project, "A Bright Future," which involved a new logo, website, and association management system.
"This feels like the perfect moment for me to pass the baton on to the next executive director, who can keep moving SIBA forward in ways that serve and energize our growing membership," Barrett said. "I have loved my time with SIBA; it's been the best job in the world and an honor to serve alongside an amazingly talented and hardworking staff and board. As to what's next for me, after the publication of Creating a Salon in 2025, I'm looking forward to devoting more energy to writing projects and prioritizing family time."