The primary supplier of books to the Jacksonville Public Library system and hundreds of others around the country has announced it will shut down by the end of this year.<\/p>\n
Baker & Taylor\u2019s sudden closure will affect how quickly newly published books reach Jacksonville\u2019s library shelves<\/a> until it can find new suppliers.<\/p>\n In a notice to customers<\/a> posted Tuesday on its website, Jacksonville\u2019s library system said more than 6,000 libraries will face effects as they transition to new wholesalers. But spokesperson Lauren Ferro said the library will monitor any slowdowns and work to reduce their effect on readers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do not anticipate any additional effects beyond delays in the delivery of new physical materials resulting from the Baker & Taylor closure,\u201d she said in an email to Jacksonville Today.\u00a0<\/p>\n 97 years as a book supplier<\/p>\n Baker & Taylor is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has served public and academic libraries since 1928, according to its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Considered one of the largest distributors of print and audiovisual materials for libraries, its 900-plus employees serve more than 4,000 institutional customers, according to a story on the American Libraries website<\/a>.<\/p>\n The company has faced financial difficulties in recent years. The American Libraries website reports that Baker & Taylor has reportedly begun to close parts of the business, including its distribution center in Illinois and some operations in Charlotte.<\/p>\n Employees were told the company plans to wind down all its business activities by the end of 2025, per Publishers Weekly<\/a>.<\/p>\n These actions come after a proposal to be bought out by ReaderLink Distribution Services failed on Sept. 26.<\/p>\n Library\u2019s other options<\/p>\n