Citing a surge in demand for its services over the past several months, the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation, a nonprofit organization that assists booksellers in need, has promoted Kate Weiss to programs manager. In addition, the organization is actively recruiting a new communication coordinator; BIPOC candidates are encouraged to apply.
Weiss, who lives in Louisville, joins Kit Steinaway as a full-time programs manager. Kathy Bartson and Mary Baker will continue in their roles as director of development and office coordinator, respectively.
Weiss previously served as communications coordinator at Binc and has been active in the book business since 2008, having served as the events and marketing manager at Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Ky., and as the assistant trade sales manager at Chelsea Green Publishing, among other roles.
Since the start of the year, Binc has distributed more than $2.2 million to some 1,600 bookstores and comic shops across the U.S. In addition, it has seen a 400% increase in the need for emergency household assistance for booksellers, and has helped 556 families with $635,000 in total aid.
“While I hope the pace of need and requests levels off and declines, we have not seen a decrease yet," Binc executive director Pam French said in a statement. "In order to maintain our commitment to providing outstanding assistance, a second program manager is needed to help with the volume of requests."
