Baker & Taylor Named Lead Sponsor of ABA Children's Institute

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker & Taylor, the world's largest distributor of digital and print books and entertainment products, is pleased to serve as the lead sponsor of the American Booksellers Association's Children's Institute conference, to be held April 6-7 in San Antonio, Texas.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121005/CL86408LOGO)

The event offers independent booksellers an unparalleled opportunity to learn about trends in children's books and to connect with peers in the industry from around the country. The educational program will be held immediately preceding the Texas Library Association's annual conference, to be held in San Antonio beginning April 8.

"Baker & Taylor is committed to providing independent booksellers with the tools and knowledge they need to be successful," said David Cully, President of Retail Markets and Executive Vice President of Merchandising for Baker & Taylor. "By sponsoring the ABA's Children's Institute, Baker & Taylor is equipping bookstores to thrive by helping them learn important strategies to attract and retain customers and improve their businesses. We look forward to working closely with publishers, the ABA and our retail partners to make the Children's Institute a success."

Children's Institute sessions will include "Child Development & Literacy," "How to Host a Successful Teacher Night," "Selling Picture Books in the Wake of Age Compression," and "The Law of Attraction: How to Entice Publicists and Authors." The event is open to members of the ABA's ABC Children's Group.

"ABA is extremely grateful for Baker & Taylor's generous support of the Children's Institute," said ABA CEO Oren Teicher. "Their lead sponsorship of this day of intensive education will help the attending independent booksellers better serve the needs of young readers, their families, and the communities in which they live."

For more information about the Children's Institute contact Matthew Zoni at [email protected].

About Baker & Taylor
Baker & Taylor, Inc. is the world's largest 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 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 the American Booksellers Association
Founded in 1900, the American Booksellers Association (www.BookWeb.org) is a not-for-profit trade organization devoted to meeting the needs of its core members -- independently owned bookstores with storefront locations -- through education, information dissemination, business products and services, and advocacy. ABA exists to protect and promote the interests of independent retail book businesses, as well as to protect the First Amendment rights of every American. The association actively supports free speech, literacy, and programs that support local and independent retail shops. A board of 10 booksellers governs the Association. ABA is headquartered in White Plains, New York.

SOURCE Baker & Taylor