- Pair Brings Gale Virtual Reference Library to Academic and Public Libraries -

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker & Taylor, Inc., the world's largest distributor of physical and digital books and entertainment products, and Gale, part of Cengage Learning, are proud to announce their partnership to distribute the highly regarded Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) e-book collection. Baker & Taylor, the first wholesaler to sell the GVRL platform, will distribute GVRL - including Literature Criticism Online and Gale Directory Library - in the academic and public library markets.

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"This partnership continues our long-term strategic initiative to provide our customers with the content they need in the format of their choice," said George Coe, President of Library & Education at Baker & Taylor. "Our collaboration with Gale offers our academic and public library customers the perfect combination of the most respected and highest-quality content available and the best value-added services in the marketplace."

Patrick C. Sommers, President, Gale, said: "The demand for books and resources in an electronic format continues to grow, and we are pleased to be in a position to meet that demand. This partnership means we can expand distribution, while allowing academic and public libraries to order, revise and renew their subscriptions, using Baker & Taylor's leading library collection management services."

GVRL offers nearly 3,000 reference sources from some 50 authoritative publishers on a stable, easy-to-use platform. Libraries have the flexibility to buy one e-book or multiple e-books and to search across a single e-book or an entire e-book collection. The collection grows weekly and covers a wide variety of topics and subjects - ranging from current events to classics and from arts and humanities to small business management. Literature Criticism Online brings together 10 of the most acclaimed literary series representing a range of modern and historical views on authors and their works across regions, eras and genres. Gale Directory Library is an online collection of cross-searchable, authoritative directories of companies, publishers, associations and more.

Public and academic libraries can purchase GVRL products from Baker & Taylor's unique and comprehensive Title Source (TM) 3 ordering system. Academic and public library customers may also continue to purchase GVRL products from their Gale representative. The new partnership simply expands customers' options for ordering and allows customers to take advantage of the numerous services Baker & Taylor provides.

Attention customers: Please note that in conjunction with this launch Title Source (TM) 3 will be down for maintenance this morning from 6:15 a.m. (EDT) to 8:30 a.m. (EDT).

About Baker & Taylor

Baker & Taylor, Inc. (www.baker-taylor.com) is a global information and entertainment services company that offers print and digital books and entertainment products along with value-added services to libraries, educational institutions and retailers. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company has been in existence for more than 180 years, developing long-term relationships with major suppliers, including book publishers, movie studios and music labels. Baker & Taylor maintains one of the largest combined in-stock book, video and music inventories in the United States, and services the broadest customer base in the industry. Baker & Taylor is majority owned by Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P., an institutional private equity fund managed by Castle Harlan Inc., a leading private equity investment firm.

About Cengage Learning and Gale

Cengage Learning delivers highly customized learning solutions for colleges, universities, professors, students, libraries, government agencies, corporations and professionals around the world. Gale, part of Cengage Learning, serves the world's information and education needs through its vast and dynamic content pools, which are used by students and consumers in their libraries, schools and on the Internet. It is best known for the accuracy, breadth and convenience of its data, addressing all types of information needs - from homework help to health questions to business profiles - in a variety of formats. Gale is based in Farmington Hills, Michigan. For more information, go to www.gale.cengage.com.

SOURCE Baker & Taylor, Inc.

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