Latest Version of Axis 360 Brings Library eBooks to NOOK®, Sony Reader™ and Kobo™ Devices

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker & Taylor, the world's largest distributor of digital and physical books and entertainment, today released an upgrade to its popular Axis 360 digital media platform. New options allow library patrons to check out ebooks on ereaders compatible with EPUB and PDF formats, such as NOOK, Sony Reader and Kobo devices.

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With Axis 360, library patrons can now use virtually any of the top multi-function phones, tablets and ereader devices to find, check out and read digital titles from their local library. Patrons can select the ebook format that works best for them – EPUB or PDF formats, or Blio, the fully-accessible, free ereader app that offers rich features and content, and is available on Apple iOS, Android and Windows devices.

"The newly-enhanced Axis 360 ensures that patrons with the most popular tablets, as well as dedicated ereaders, can tap into their library's digital collection," said George Coe, President of Library & Education at Baker & Taylor. "With Axis 360, libraries know they are providing all their patrons the best and most options to access and experience ebooks."  

"Baker & Taylor has a number of other enhancements – such as spoken word audio and other features – coming soon for Axis 360, to make more content readily available to more patrons, and to help libraries boost their circulation and better serve their communities," Coe said.

Axis 360 is Baker & Taylor's new digital media circulation and management platform, used by many of the country's top public, K-12 school and academic libraries. It is a fully-accessible platform that opens a world of content to those who are visually impaired. The new upgrade was implemented for all Axis 360-enabled libraries and will serve as the platform for ongoing development and growth of Baker & Taylor's digital media library, which now has nearly 300,000 electronic titles available for library circulation.

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 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.

SOURCE Baker & Taylor