The closing of a major book distributor is impacting many libraries around the country including those in southeast Kansas. Baker and Taylor, the largest library wholesaler in the country, announced earlier this month it would cease operations by the end of the year after an acquisition deal fell through in late September.
Baker and Taylor was the primary book supplier to the Iola Public Library and others that are part of the Iola-based Southeast Kansas Library System (SEKLS). Sharon Moreland, director of the Iola Library and SEKLS, told Iola Radio News in an email Thursday afternoon that many of the libraries in the area are pivoting to other supplies such as Ingram and Amazon.
Iola Library book purchases are done by SEKLS acquisitions manager Cheryl Korte, and they have activated a dormant account with Ingram, catching up on back orders and setting up new standing orders for popular authors.
From a financial standpoint, Moreland said the main difference will be in additional shipping costs they did not have with B&T, but Ingram does provide a substantial discount to libraries.
