The Birth of Mid-States (as told by Paul Haigh)
Prior to the inception of Mid-States Association of College Stores there was general agreement among the larger store managers in Kansas and Missouri that something should be done about organizing an association. We were all aware of the work being done by the Mid-Atlantic and other associations. We felt we could also help each other and of course the smaller stores in the two state area.
The general objectives of those associations were to develop effective communications, closer working relationships, and to encourage a fraternal professional spirit and cooperation among managers and store members. Other objectives were to be the exchange of semester booklists, provide an outlet for surplus or distressed merchandise, to exchange information on techniques and mechanics of bookstore operations and to examine publishers' return policies and customer service relations with both publishers and vendors. Such groups distributed information via newsletters, meetings with panel discussions, speakers, education, and training sessions. etc.
Since bookstore operations were facing dynamic changes and developments, there was a definite need for the formation of such a group in the Missouri-Kansas area. Out of meetings, discussions, questionnaires, and visits to the other associations, the Missouri-Kansas Bookstore Association came into being on October 11, 1971. At the time the name was officially changed to the Mid-States Association of College Store's. The bookstores in Iowa and Nebraska were invited to join the association in 1972 to make a much more effective organization. ~~ the late Paul Haigh
The general objectives of those associations were to develop effective communications, closer working relationships, and to encourage a fraternal professional spirit and cooperation among managers and store members. Other objectives were to be the exchange of semester booklists, provide an outlet for surplus or distressed merchandise, to exchange information on techniques and mechanics of bookstore operations and to examine publishers' return policies and customer service relations with both publishers and vendors. Such groups distributed information via newsletters, meetings with panel discussions, speakers, education, and training sessions. etc.
Since bookstore operations were facing dynamic changes and developments, there was a definite need for the formation of such a group in the Missouri-Kansas area. Out of meetings, discussions, questionnaires, and visits to the other associations, the Missouri-Kansas Bookstore Association came into being on October 11, 1971. At the time the name was officially changed to the Mid-States Association of College Store's. The bookstores in Iowa and Nebraska were invited to join the association in 1972 to make a much more effective organization. ~~ the late Paul Haigh