Baker & Taylor, one of the nation’s largest suppliers of books and materials to public libraries, is in the process of closing after years of financial difficulties. The move has caused the library world to race to secure alternative vendors, including in Iowa.
For many public libraries, including the Iowa City Public Library, the closure marks the loss of a longtime vendor responsible for the bulk of their print collections and essential processing services. According to ICPL Director Anne Mangano, 84% of the library’s book collections were purchased through Baker & Taylor last year. ICPL will not receive any of the books it currently has on order from the company.
“They were a pretty substantial company for public libraries,” she said…