An important component of ABA's Ends Policies is that member bookstores will constitute a vital channel of the U.S. book market, and that publishers, wholesalers, and others will recognize independent booksellers as unique and vital partners. As the national trade association for independent booksellers, ABA plays a pivotal role in fostering and facilitating substantive, and ongoing, communication among booksellers and their vendors, and the association works to ensure that member bookstores are aware of all relevant industry information, that they have the opportunity to test and develop new business models, and important industry-wide issues are communicated to and clarified for industry partners.