MPIBA's mission is "to support, educate, and promote independent bookstores in our region, raise awareness of the value of locally owned businesses in our communities, and celebrate diversity and an open exchange of ideas in literary culture." They are a non-profit professional association of bookstores, booksellers, publishers, authors, and industry professionals. It was founded over fifty years ago in Denver, Colorado, and has grown to represent hundreds of bookstores across fourteen western and mid-western states.