Baker & Taylor and Whitehots to Offer Axis 360 to Canadian Libraries

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker & Taylor, the premier worldwide distributor of digital and print books and entertainment products, today announced an expansion of its widely-adopted Axis 360 digital media services into Canadian libraries, in partnership with well-known library service provider Whitehots Inc.

With the agreement between the two companies, public and school libraries in Canada will have the convenience of being able to order print and digital materials from a single source. Baker & Taylor will provide technical expertise connected with Axis 360, while Whitehots will ensure that the ordering, billing and customer support functions are appropriate for the Canadian market.

"Baker & Taylor and Whitehots share a deep understanding of the libraries in our respective countries, so it's only natural that we should enter into a partnership that makes the best use of our expertise," said George Coe, President and CEO of Baker & Taylor. "Whitehots has a sterling reputation in Canada, and Canadian libraries can continue to count on that trusted source as readers increasingly turn to digital content. Baker & Taylor's expertise with Axis 360 will be an important asset to this exciting venture."

"As the 21^st century library evolves, we feel our exciting partnership with Baker & Taylor and the Axis 360 ebook platform opens new opportunities for all Canadian libraries," said Russ Culver, CEO of Whitehots. "We are committed to working with Baker & Taylor and the Canadian publishers to establish strong Canadian content on Axis 360. The vast resources of Baker & Taylor's technology and Whitehots' presence in the Canadian marketplace make an attractive and formidable alliance."

Canadian libraries interested in learning how Axis 360 can power their circulation of ebooks and digital audiobooks should contact their Whitehots representatives.

Axis 360 is Baker & Taylor's revolutionary digital media service. It provides libraries with a state-of-the-art and visually engaging system for circulating digital books and audiobooks, which can be downloaded directly to patrons' computers, tablets, smartphones and other 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 Whitehots
Whitehots is a major supplier of materials and services to libraries across Canada. Whitehots understands established library processes with over 25 years of experience and relationship building as a library vendor tailored to our industry. The future of public libraries in Canada is an exciting universe where traditional books and innovative digital media meet. Whitehots is an enthusiastic partner for libraries and publishers alike, and we are dedicated to exploring and advancing these new frontiers to help Canadian libraries realize new heights of success. Whitehots is a 100% Canadian-owned private corporation head-quartered in Aurora, Ontario.

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SOURCE Baker & Taylor