Library patrons will have to wait a little longer to get the newest blockbusters after the nation’s largest book distributor announced it will close.
Some Southwest Florida libraries are searching for ways to fill the gap left by Baker & Taylor’s Oct. 6 announcement that its sale to ReaderLink fell through and it will cease operating in January.
Lee and Collier County libraries will be most affected and are looking for alternatives. Charlotte County and the Sanibel Public Library do not use Baker & Taylor.
For fiscal year 2024-25, Lee County’s libraries paid $1.1 million to Baker & Taylor for books, according to county records. Those purchases make up about 2.2% of the library system’s budget.
“The Lee County Library System works regularly with other library vendors, and we are already in contact with them to ensure a smooth transition,” county officials said in a written reply. “While patrons may experience slight delays in receiving some new materials as we shift orders to alternate vendors, we expect minimal disruption.”
Patrons won’t see delays or interruptions for e-books and audiobooks, the release said.
Collier County normally spends 80% of its print book budget with Baker & Taylor. The library system planned to spend about $550,000 for books through Baker & Taylor in the 2026 fiscal year budget, Library Director Tanya Williams said in a written statement.
Baker & Taylor’s timing was fortunate, Williams said, because Collier’s fiscal year began Oct. 1, and delays are common at the start of the new year.
Riverdale Public Library is part of the Lee County Library System, which is seeking new vendors after book distributor Baker & Taylor announced plans to close in January.
Lee County government
“Given that B&T’s demise occurred the first week of October, the library is relying on our other vendors we currently use and have used for years while sourcing materials from other vendors engaged in library materials fulfillment,” Williams wrote.
Collier buys books from Libraria, Amazon, Library Hub and Barnes & Noble. It’s also in talks with Brodart, Cengage and Junior Library Guild to fill the Baker & Taylor gap, Williams said.
Ingram Library Services and Brodart Library Services are the remaining major players, according to Publishers Weekly.
Bookstores such as MacIntosh Books on Sanibel won’t have a problem getting titles, said owner Rebecca Binkowski, who buys directly from publishers.
Baker & Taylor stopped supplying bookstores in 2019 to focus on libraries and educational institutions, Publishers Weekly reported.
The bookstore at Florida Gulf Coast University has a contract with Barnes & Noble, said Molly Capiga, assistant director of media and publication relations.
Barnes & Noble could benefit from Baker & Taylor’s closure. Eight days after the announcement, the bookselling chain promoted its &Classwork e-commerce portal to libraries as a direct alternative, offering discounted direct purchases, according to Publishers Weekly.