Recent News & Articles
Baker & Taylor President and CEO Amandeep Kochar discusses the past, present, and future of Baker & Taylor and the company's role in the book industry. Read More
Jun 6, 2022 - Read more
Baker & Taylor President and CEO Amandeep Kochar details five key roles libraries play in improving the communities in which they serve.Read More
Jun 6, 2022 - Read more
Chicago Heights Public Library awarded 2022 ALSC/Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Grant
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has awarded the 2022 ALSC/Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant to the Chicago Heights Public Library in Chicago Heights, Illinois.Read Full Article
Mar 9, 2022 - Read more
collectionHQ Receives Platinum in 2022 Modern Library Awards from LibraryWorks
(GLASGOW, Scotland) collectionHQ, the leading library analytics solution, is pleased to announce it has received a platinum award in LibraryWorks' eighth annual Modern Library Awards (MLAs).Acquired by Baker & Taylor in 2011, collectionHQ places innovation at the heart of its service to deliver public libraries with a toolset that supports community-driven collection development. The product allows librarians to effectively analyze how their collection is performing and take clear action to maximize and manage it ? aligning supply with demand. In July 2021, collectionHQ added a new module to help libraries analyze the representation of diverse, equitable and inclusive material in their...
Jan 14, 2022 - Read more
Baker & Taylor Business Update from Amandeep Kochar
Dear Library Partners,As we reach the end of 2021, I pause to reflect on another extraordinary year. This has been a year of change for our industry and Baker & Taylor. Libraries across the world have continued to adapt to the impact of COVID-19, grappling with changing patron needs, building closures, and re-evaluating how budget is allocated to digital and print. I am in awe of how our library partners have continued to pivot and remain undaunted in their mission to serve their communities.As we enter 2022, the first calendar year for B&T as an independent company, I am energized....
Dec 22, 2021 - Read more
Publisher Weekly Notable: Amandeep Kochar
It’s been a swift rise for Amandeep Kochar, who joined Baker & Taylor in 2014 and enthusiastically fulfilled several roles on his way to being named executive v-p and general manager in 2019. But in November 2021, Kochar took his enthusiasm to the next level—he bought the company from parent Follett Corp.Read Full Article
Dec 17, 2021 - Read more
CEO Magazine: A sense of purpose: Aman Kochar
The Japanese word ikigai means having a sense of purpose, a meaningful reason to live. And while that reason might involve the pursuit of personal success or happiness, more often it’s about a sense of fulfillment, having a positive effect on the community. It’s even been suggested that it is the reason for the longevity of life of the people on the Japanese Okinawa Islands. Here, instead of retiring, they continue in jobs they love for as long as they’re able to do so.Read Full Article
Dec 9, 2021 - Read more
Library Journal: Amandeep Kochar on Buying Baker & Taylor
LJ interviewed Baker & Taylor President and CEO Amandeep Kochar about his leading a private investment group’s recent acquisition of the company from its previous owner, Follett, on November 4. Read Full Article
Nov 23, 2021 - Read more
Follett Sells Baker & Taylor to B&T CEO
The makeover of Follett Corp. continues with the announcement that it has sold Baker & Taylor to a private investment company led by Aman Kochar, B&T CEO and president.The deal includes all of B&T’s related businesses, which include Baker & Taylor Publisher Services, collectionHQ, Baker & Taylor UK, and James Bennett. All B&T top executives are making the transition to the new company as well.Read Full Article
Nov 4, 2021 - Read more
Baker & Taylor Business Update from Amandeep Kochar (October 2021)
Dear Library Partners,Thank you for your continued patience as we work through the industry-wide supply chain challenges of the current quarter. When I wrote to you last month, I promised ongoing updates, and I want to keep the momentum going by sharing new solutions and tools designed to help you plan through these challenges and create efficiencies.With the supply chain disruptions impacting our library customers, we've developed a new list tool available in Title Source 360 called Supply Chain Issues.This list is created by our buying and merchandising team and highlights titles that our publisher partners have indicated may face...
Oct 13, 2021 - Read more
An update to the Public Library Market from Baker & Taylor
An update to the Public Library Market from Baker & TaylorCHARLOTTE, N.C., May 14, 2021Baker & Taylor begins the new year with a renewed sense of optimism, which we hope you feel as well. The last year has been the most challenging business environment for the library and book distribution industry. Much work remains to be done before we can claim a full recovery, but we are confident that time will come soon.A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a 45% increase in employee absenteeism in 2020 versus previous...
May 14, 2021 - Read more
Operations Update to the Public Library Market from Baker & Taylor
Operations Update to the Public Library Market from Baker & Taylor CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 10, 2021Baker & Taylor begins the new year with a renewed sense of optimism, which we hope you feel as well. The last year has been the most challenging business environment for the library and book distribution industry. Much work remains to be done before we can claim a full recovery, but we are confident that time will come soon.A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a 45% increase in employee absenteeism in 2020 versus previous...
Mar 10, 2021 - Read more
Baker & Taylor Returns as Full-Service Vendor to Academic Libraries
Baker & Taylor, the world's largest distributor of physical and digital books and entertainment, announced today it is once again a full-service vendor to academic libraries. A Follett company, Baker & Taylor will be serving academic libraries worldwide with the widest range of library products and services to institutions, as well as the most comprehensive range and deepest inventory of books, movies, and music for colleges and universities.The announcement was made in advance of the start of the Charleston Conference, to be held virtually November 2-6. Baker & Taylor will be a vendor at the annual conference, which for the...
Nov 6, 2020 - Read more
Baker & Taylor safety procedures in place to keep team members and library partners healthy amid COVID-19 reopening CHARLOTTE, N.C., October 12, 2020 - To Our Valued Library Partners,Baker & Taylor is committed to our library partners as we collectively begin to recover from the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. As many states and counties reopen community services and businesses, we are ready to support your library.Baker & Taylor's service centers have remained open throughout this pandemic and continue to operate. Baker & Taylor has developed and implemented a strong and successful written COVID-19 preparedness and response program. The program is compliant...
Oct 12, 2020 - Read more
Sourcebooks Partners with Baker & Taylor on Exclusive Library Book Clubs
Sourcebooks Partners with Baker & Taylor on Exclusive Library Book ClubsVirtual Program Kicks Off with Murder at the Library Chicago, Ill., June 30, 2020 - Sourcebooks, a top independent publisher, is partnering with Baker & Taylor, the leading library books and technology solutions provider, on an exclusive virtual book club program for public libraries. The new monthly program, Book Clubs at the Library, allows libraries that sign up to purchase five eBook copies of the selected title with unlimited, multi-user access to that ebook for one month. The offering also includes an exclusive virtual book club event each month."Sourcebooks is...
Jul 2, 2020 - Read more
Highlights and Baker & Taylor partner to support libraries working to address COVID slide in literacy skills June 5, 2020 - Today, Highlights and Baker & Taylor announced their partnership to launch Highlights Summer Activity Bingo, a 12-week summer reading program aimed at helping libraries stem COVID Slide during the critical summer months. COVID Slide is a term used to describe the months-long learning loss due to extended school closures. Modeled on the successful Highlights@Home initiative, which was created to support families during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period, Highlights Summer Activity Bingo provides library systems with engaging and flexible children's programming,...
Jun 9, 2020 - Read more
Baker & Taylor is committed to our library partners as they work through the reopening process post COVID-19 CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 20, 2020 - To Our Valued Library Partners,Baker & Taylor is committed to our library partners as we collectively begin to recover from the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. As many states and counties begin to relax stay-at-home orders and are laying out plans for reopening some community services and businesses, we are ready to support your library.To ensure we meet your individual library needs, we will not be making statewide changes to stop-ship orders currently in place. If you have...
May 20, 2020 - Read more
Follett, Baker and Taylor Team to Provide Free Access toPreK-12 Interactive Resources for Public Library Partners? Lightbox, AV 2 World Languages Ideal Distance Learning Solutions for Students ? MCHENRY, Ill., April 15, 2020 - As more states extend school closures through the remainder of the school year, Follett and Baker & Taylor today announced they are collaborating to provide its public library partners with free access through June 30 to Lightbox and AV2 World Languages, interactive resources that allow students to independently study and learn.Follett, in partnership with Weigl Publishers, made a free offer in late March to schools worldwide...
Apr 16, 2020 - Read more
Baker & Taylor is committed to our library partners as we collectively battle the COVID-19 pandemic
Baker & Taylor is committed to our library partners as we collectively battle the COVID-19 pandemic CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 9, 2020 To Our Valued Library Partners,Baker & Taylor is committed to our library partners as we collectively battle the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19) pandemic. We have been serving libraries for over 190 years and we have been through a lot, together. As our communities make tough choices to keep citizens safe, I want you to know that we are here to support and serve you.If your library system is changing operations or implementing temporary closures, please notify us immediately at customer.service@baker-taylor.com. Our...
Apr 9, 2020 - Read more
ESP - Evidence-based Selection Planning Receives Platinum in 2020 Modern Library Awards from LibraryWorks GLASGOW, Scotland, January 14, 2020: collectionHQ, the world's leading collection performance improvement solution, is delighted to announce that its ESP product has received a platinum award in LibraryWorks' sixth annual Modern Library Awards (MLAs.) The MLAs were created to recognize the top products and services in the library industry in a truly unbiased format. Products and services were submitted in the fall using a simple application, and then were posted on a private site with an enhanced description and attendant materials. These products were batched into...
Jan 14, 2020 - Read more
Aman Kochar Succeeds David Cully at Baker & Taylor in Expanded Role
Aman Kochar Succeeds David Cully at Baker & Taylor in Expanded Role WESTCHESTER, Ill., Sept. 10, 2019: Follett Corporation today announced an expanded leadership role for Amandeep Kochar, who succeeded David Cully as head of Baker & Taylor, the company's public library business unit. Cully retired August 30. Kochar, who was promoted in June 2019 to lead Baker & Taylor, is responsible for Baker & Taylor's Public Library Sales, Product & Technology Operations, Customer Service, Content and Strategic Partnerships as well as Baker & Taylor's international subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Mexico and Australia. His expanded responsibilities include leading joint...
Sep 10, 2019 - Read more
Public Libraries Tap Technology to Expand Access to Job Training
Public Libraries Tap Technology to Expand Access to Job Training — Libraries in New York, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri join Baker & Taylor's pioneering skill development initiative—CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 19, 2019 - Baker & Taylor, the world's premier distributor of books and digital content, today announced the launch of its Career Skills Training platform, which will enable public libraries to offer education and training programs designed to prepare individuals for success in the world of work. Patrons at libraries in four states can now access a broad range of competency-based, career-aligned courses and playlists, in subjects including foundational math, reading and...
Jun 20, 2019 - Read more
Baker & Taylor Expands Operations in Georgia
Baker & Taylor Expands Operations in Georgia — Company expanding operations at Commerce, Georgia facility to serve growing public library market —CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 7, 2019 - Baker & Taylor, a leading provider of books and services to public libraries nationwide, today announced an expansion of operations at its distribution facility in Commerce, Georgia. Beginning immediately, Baker & Taylor will start hiring to fill 115 jobs, including additional shifts, at its 276,000 square foot service center located at 251 Mt. Olive Church Road. This expansion is a result of growth in Baker & Taylor's public library market. The Charlotte, North...
May 7, 2019 - Read more
Baker & Taylor Announces Sponsorship of BCALA Support Award
Baker & Taylor Announces Sponsorship of BCALA Support Award Award recognizes dedicated and outstanding performance by a library support staff member CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 21, 2019 - Today Baker & Taylor and the Black Caucus of the American Librarian Association (BCALA) announced the creation of a new BCALA Support Award. This award, sponsored by Baker & Taylor, recognizes dedicated and outstanding performance by a library support staff member. An award of $1,000 and commemorative plaque will be awarded during BCALA membership meeting at the 2019 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.The Black Caucus of the American Library Association serves as...
Feb 21, 2019 - Read more