CALIBA Introduces ‘Certified Indie’ Branding

In preparation for Small Business Saturday, the California Independent Booksellers Alliance has released a digital Certified Independent Bookstore logo and social media assets, including a QR code that directs users to CALIBA’s Certified Indie Campaign. 

Members may use the logo on their websites and other promotional materials, and the logo is also available as a window decal. 

CALIBA board members Vanessa Martini, buyer at Green Apple Books, and Katerina Argyres, owner of Noe Valley Books, led the effort to create the campaign, and San Francisco creator Works by Abigail designed the logo.

“The Certified Indie campaign was made to provide clear, strong branding and easily shared assets to member stores,” Martini and Argyres wrote in a statement. “Choosing a Certified Indie is choosing your community.”

In addition, CALIBA is making changes to its annual Golden Poppy Awards. The awards, which recognize California writers and artists across 13 adult and children’s categories, have previously been determined based on statewide voting among members. Going forward, committees of CALIBA booksellers will act as juries to choose five finalists and one winner in each category. 

Starting in 2026, the association also will host an in-person Golden Poppy Award ceremony during its Fall Fest trade show, to honor the recipients and introduce them to the membership.