Baker & Taylor Announces Axis 360 API integration Now Available for Innovative's Polaris ILS

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker & Taylor, the premier worldwide distributor of digital and print books and entertainment products, announced today that API integration between its Axis 360 digital media platform and Innovative's Polaris ILS has been completed, achieving a new milestone in simplified patron experience and digital library administration benefits.

The integration brings the robust digital capabilities of Axis 360 into the Polaris ILS WebPAC, creating fully-integrated access to print and digital materials within the library's website. Patrons of libraries using the Polaris ILS will be able to discover ebooks and digital audiobooks in the online catalog and see real-time inventory availability in the item record display. Item check outs and holds are accomplished without having to navigate away from the library website. Patrons then open their favorite reading application and directly download borrowed material to their device. And, all digital borrowing for Axis 360 will also populate the patron account, allowing unified activity display and holds management for all material formats.

Baker & Taylor and Innovative have completed the first instance of their sophisticated and user-friendly platform integration at Howard County Library System, MD, LJ's 2013 Library of the Year. Axis 360 API integration with WebPAC is now available to all Polaris ILS customers.

"Completing the integration of Axis 360 and Polaris ILS is an important moment that will improve the library experience for our customers and their patrons," said George Coe, Baker & Taylor's President and CEO. "Baker & Taylor and Innovative strongly support ReadersFirst principles, and by working together, we are making sure the technologies libraries rely on run seamlessly and are easy to use. We would like to extend our thanks to Howard County Library System for their help in our first implementation of the integration with Polaris ILS."

"The collaboration between Baker & Taylor and Innovative provides libraries with the technology and tools they need to offer an exceptional patron experience," said Bill Schickling, Vice President of Public Library Products, Innovative. "With Axis 360, patrons will be able to peruse econtent without ever having to leave the library catalog; an important feature our customers often request."

Cindy Jones, Howard County Library System's Head of Materials Management, said, "We are thrilled to offer the additional functionality to our customers, and are pleased with the product."

Libraries that want to add API integration between Polaris ILS and Axis 360 should contact their representatives from Innovative and Baker & Taylor.

API integration with Polaris ILS is another successful expansion of Baker & Taylor's interoperability with ILS systems, Discovery Layer and Mobile Library app vendors. The full suite of Axis 360 APIs is available to qualified library service providers interested to create digital ease of use for libraries and the communities they serve.

Axis 360 is the fastest-growing new digital service used by many of the country's top public, K-12 school and academic libraries. Axis 360 offers a fully-accessible platform for library patrons to find, check out and enjoy digital titles on their phones, tablets and ereader devices. Axis 360 also offers digital audiobooks for direct download to devices.

About Baker & Taylor
Baker & Taylor, Inc. is the premier worldwide distributor of books, digital content and entertainment products. The company offers cutting-edge digital media services and innovative technology platforms to thousands of publishers, libraries, schools and retailers worldwide. Baker & Taylor also offers industry-leading customized library services and retail merchandising solutions. 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.

About Innovative
Innovative (www.iii.com) is dedicated to providing leading technology solutions and services that empower libraries and enrich their users worldwide. Innovative offers one of the broadest and most complete portfolio of library automation products on the market today. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, Innovative serves thousands of libraries in 66 countries and has offices around the world.

About Howard County Library System
Named Library of the Year by Gale/Library Journal in 2013, Howard County Library System (HCLS) delivers high-quality public education for all ages. A major component of Howard County's strong education system, HCLS advances the economy, enhancing quality of life. Learn about HCLS' signature events and innovative curriculum at www.hclibrary.org.   

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SOURCE Baker & Taylor, Inc.