Baker & Taylor distributes Editions Dedicaces's eBooks to thousands of libraries in the United States and around the world
By Guy Boulianne | On 23/10/2018 | Comments (0)
Here's another great news: The highly regarded distributor, Baker & Taylor, will now distribute Editions Dedicaces's eBooks to thousands of libraries in the United States and around the world. Indeed, we believe that libraries represent an important market and a growing opportunity for independent authors.
This is why we have worked hard over the past year not only to add library distribution for our authors and poets but also to develop and improve this distribution. With the addition of OverDrive and bibliotheca, we have extended the reach of books to approximately 40,000 libraries in more than 70 countries. And now, we plan to go even further in the distribution of our catalog.
Editions Dedicaces are pleased to announce the addition of Baker & Taylor to its growing distribution strategy for libraries. Baker & Taylor is the world's largest distributor of digital and print books to thousands of libraries, publishers and retailers. As a library distribution partner, Baker & Taylor will further enhance the reach of books in public libraries around the world. This allows independent authors to reach approximately 1.5 billion visitors to libraries each year!
In fact, over the last six months, the authors have recorded a 133% growth in library revenues. We like these numbers. We think you too.
Editions Dedicaces believes that libraries are a great way for authors to improve the discoverability of their work while increasing potential revenue. With an extended library distribution, more potential readers can discover and read the works and recommend them to friends. A good word of mouth is always the best marketing tool!
About Baker & Taylor
Baker & Taylor, a distributor of books and entertainment, has been in business for over 180 years. It is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and currently owned by Follett Corporation. Before being acquired by Follett in 2016, Baker & Taylor had $2.26 billion in sales, employed 3,750, and was #204 on Forbes list of privately owned companies in 2008.
Baker & Taylor's core business unit focuses on sales/distribution of physical media product (i.e., books, calendars and secondarily music CDs, DVD discs, Blu-ray discs) and digital book content (i.e., e-books and e-spoken word audio), and collection development and processing services to public libraries throughout the world (USA mainly). Of late, Digital book content is available through the company's Axis 360 platform via the Blio app or the Axis360 app. Its retail unit distributes an estimated 1 million book titles and non-core business materials; music CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs to a declining number of brick and mortar retailers, Internet sites (Target.com, CDUniverse, BN.com), booksellers (indie shops & Barnes & Noble), craft stores (Michaels), department stores (tbd) and several comic book stores.
Baker & Taylor announced in 6/2018 an alignment with education and training provider, the for-profit school, PA's Penn Foster to provide working adults with skills development and training programs free via their local public library. Specifically, the plan is to make Penn Foster’s library of “competency-based, career-aligned courses and playlists, including foundational career readiness skills, soft skills, and degree and certificate programs,” available to public library patrons through Baker & Taylor’s digital book platform.
Ownership history
Castle Harlan Partners was Baker & Taylor's majority owner, having acquired it from the investment firm Willis Stein & Partners. In 1994, it the Follett Corporation of River Grove, Illinois had intended to acquire Baker & Taylor from the then majority holder, the Carlyle Group, which was looking to sell its interest to concentrate on the defense industry.
Arnie Wight became president of the company on May 23, 2007. Jack Eugster became chairman and chief executive officer, replacing Richard Willis, on January 4, 2008. Thomas Morgan took over the CEO role on July 7, 2008. In January 2014, George Coe replaced both Wight and Morgan as president and CEO. in May 2017, after one month as Follett/B&T CEO/Pres., George Coe departed the company and former B&N retail exec, NJ office based David Cully was named president of B&T.
In February 2015, Baker and Taylor's publishing group and U,S. marketing services were acquired by Readerlink Distribution Services. Under the acquisition agreement, Readerlink took over ownership of the firm's 504,000 sq. ft. Indianapolis distribution center, as well as their general offices in San Diego and editorial offices in Ashland, Oregon. Baker and Taylor (UK) and B&T (Mexico) were not included in the acquisition, and will remain subsidiaries of Baker & Taylor. A Readerlink spokesperson said no offices, distribution centers, or operational changes were planned, and indicated that all current management and employees of the acquired divisions were joining the Readerlink.
In April 2016, Baker and Taylor was acquired by the Follett Corporation of Westchester, Illinois. According to The Chicago Tribune, the deal may boost the privately held Follett’s annual revenue by as much as 40 percent—from $2.6 billion to $3.6 billion and resulted in senior mgmt changes at B&T.
In 2009, Baker & Taylor bought the North American arm of Blackwell UK as well as Blackwell's Australian library supplier, James Bennett. In return, Blackwell acquired the UK-based Lindsay and Croft from Baker & Taylor. Blackwell's North American division was merged into Baker & Taylor's YBP Library Services.
Baker & Taylor sold two business divisions in 2/2015, YBP Library Services (YBP) was acquired by EBSCO Publishing, Inc. and Baker & Taylor Marketing Services' U.S.-based warehouse club business (BTMS US) and Baker & Taylor Publishing Group (BTPG) were acquired by Readerlink Distribution Services, LLC. Sales terms were not disclosed. "These transactions allow Baker & Taylor to focus on our core business (Adult print materials) and new opportunities within those businesses and markets," said George Coe, then CEO of Baker & Taylor.
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