Baker & Taylor and Library Journal Offer Book Reviews via Axis 360

NEW ORLEANS, June 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker & Taylor, the world's largest distributor of physical and digital books, and Library Journal, the oldest and most respected publication covering the library field, announced at the American Library Association Annual Conference a partnership to deliver book reviews via Axis 360.

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Axis 360 is Baker & Taylor's new digital media circulation platform for libraries. Through Axis 360, Baker & Taylor provides libraries and their patrons a state-of-the-art system for accessing digital content -- including Blio, the world's most engaging ereading experience. Baker & Taylor and Library Journal's Axis 360 partnership will provide libraries and patrons with full-text book reviews published in Library Journal and School Library Journal – at no cost to participating libraries for one year after launch.

"We are thrilled that Library Journal, a true voice of authority for the library community, has agreed to provide its book reviews in Axis 360," said George Coe, President of Library & Education. "Having LJ/SLJ reviews and reading guidance accessible via Axis 360 is a tremendous bonus for users of this next-generation digital circulation platform."

"Library Journal and Baker & Taylor have long partnered to provide Baker & Taylor's customers with our reviews through Title Source, its collection management interface and Content Cafe, its OPAC enrichment service," said Ian Singer, LJ's Vice President and Group Publisher. "I'm pleased that we can expand this licensing agreement to provide Axis 360 customers with the same authoritative reviews to help them choose their next great read."

Libraries will find Axis 360 delivers several key benefits, most notably ease of use, intuitive search and browse and direct library system integration. Built on state-of-the-art technology, Axis 360 showcases the library's digital content on the Magic Wall and makes it quick and easy for patrons to check out and download the titles they want.

Library patrons will enjoy how easy it is to find the titles they are searching for. They will also be thrilled with Blio, the interactive, engaging and immersive ereader experience served by Axis 360. While several digital ereading environments are suited to novels and other non-illustrated works, where Blio really shines is with rich media, full-color content contained in highly illustrated, highly graphical titles. Blio presents that highly graphical content without losing the integrity or beauty of the original print layout.

And, starting this fall, Axis 360-powered libraries will be able to host and circulate EPUB and spoken word audio titles.

ALA attendees can see Axis 360 demonstrations at Baker & Taylor's ALA booth (#2049)

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About Baker & Taylor

Baker & Taylor Inc. (www.baker-taylor.com) is the world's largest distributor of books, digital content and entertainment products. The company leverages its unsurpassed worldwide distribution network to deliver rich content in multiple formats, anytime and anywhere. Baker & Taylor offers cutting-edge digital media services and innovative technology platforms to thousands of publishers, libraries and retailers worldwide.  Baker & Taylor also offers industry-leading customized library services and retail merchandising solutions. Baker & Taylor is proud to power Blio (blioreader.com), the world's most flexible, engaging and revolutionary e-reading application. Charlotte, N.C.-based 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.

Baker & Taylor and the Baker & Taylor logo are trademarks of Baker & Taylor Inc. Blio is a trademark of K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc. Other company and product names mentioned for identification purposes may be trademarks of their respective owners.

About Library Journal

In its 133rd year of publication, Library Journal (www.libraryjournal.com) is the oldest and most respected publication covering the library field. Considered to be the "Bible" of the library world, LJ is read by more than 100,000 library directors, administrators and staff in public, academic and special libraries. LJ is the single-most comprehensive publication for librarians, with groundbreaking features and analytical news reports covering technology, management, policy, and other professional concerns. Its hefty review sections evaluate nearly 7000 books annually, along with hundreds of audio books, videos, databases, web sites, and systems that libraries buy.

SOURCE Baker & Taylor