Baker & Taylor Strikes Deal to Make Harry Potter Available Within its eBook Platform

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker & Taylor, the world's largest distributor of books, digital content and entertainment products, announced today that it has reached an agreement with author J.K. Rowling's website, Pottermore, that will allow the entire Harry Potter book series to be available digitally to all customers of its ebook platform.  Via the Blio ebook reader, the content is live as of today on Windows-based devices, and will be rolling out on other iOS and Android devices soon. 

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Under the agreement, customers can access Harry Potter ebooks through any ecommerce book store where the Blio ereader is available.  Then readers can enjoy the content on the device of their choice, including tablets, mobile phones and computers. Blio is an engaging and innovative e-reading application that runs on devices with iOS, Android or Windows operating systems.       . 

"Millions of readers have delighted in J.K. Rowling's popular wizarding series in its printed format, and now many, many more are poised to discover that literary magic in the electronic version through Blio," said Bob Nelson, president of Baker & Taylor's Digital Group. "As Baker & Taylor expands the distribution channels for ebook content, we are always striving to bring the best content to our customers.  Our agreement with Pottermore is just another example of our mission to provide the complete package – an excellent ecommerce store, with the best content, and a great ereader to consume that content.  "

"We are very excited to have Baker & Taylor's ebook platform integrated into Pottermore.  The Blio ereader is an important and growing player in the ebook retail space – adding new distribution channels for the Harry Potter content with device manufacturers, mobile carriers and retailers," said Charlie Redmayne, CEO of Pottermore.

To learn more about Blio, go to Blio.com or to www.Baker-Taylor.com, or follow us on Twitter at @Blioreader and @BakerandTaylor.

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.

SOURCE Baker & Taylor