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Auto-Graphics First-to-Market with Book-Buying Functionality through AGent Platform Library Automation Solutions

Press Release: Auto-Graphics, Inc. [March 13, 2006]

POMONA, CA. – March 13, 2006 – Auto-Graphics, Inc. (AUGR.PK), a technology innovator providing library automation solutions for over 35 years, today announced an industry first – the ability for libraries to offer online book-buying functionality to their patrons, while sharing in the sales revenue generated through the company's AGent platform of products including VERSO ILS, Search and even the ILL Resource Sharing products. This groundbreaking program has been developed in partnership with Baker & Taylor – a worldwide distributor of books, video, music, and games – with the vision to provide public libraries a powerful revenue generating opportunity that supports the ongoing needs of their libraries, while increasing community awareness through word-of-mouth referrals and a library-branded website. This novel technology will significantly change the library market, expanding the library's role from a borrowing entity to an online destination where patrons can easily and immediately purchase items.

"We are proud to be the first vendor to offer this groundbreaking technology that changes the fundamental way that libraries provide materials to their patrons," stated Paul Cope, Auto-Graphics' President. "For the first time ever, libraries can expand their services to satisfy the purchasing needs of their patrons and share in the revenue."

Through the partnership between Baker & Taylor and Auto-Graphics, a participating library's website can immediately operate as a full-featured e-commerce site. Library patrons will have the opportunity to place an order directly through a shop icon on the library home page, or by searching the library's online catalog and choosing to purchase rather than check-out an item. All purchase transactions are seamlessly and securely conducted by Auto-Graphics and Baker & Taylor through the library's hosted website and all correspondence, shipping, and transaction notices are completely branded with the library's name and contact details. All purchased products are shipped directly to the customer by Baker & Taylor.

"We are thrilled to partner with Auto-Graphics to offer its customers the ability to be part of a revolutionary new service," said George Coe, President Institutional Markets at Baker & Taylor. "As a result of the new revenue stream of selling directly to patrons, participating libraries of Auto-Graphics' have the ability to increase their collections, offer more services to patrons, make charitable donations, and support other neighborhood programs. This is a rare opportunity where patrons, libraries, and residents as a whole can reap rewards for their local community."

Auto-Graphics has committed to sharing part of the book sales revenue with its library partners as a means of furthering their mission to serve the diverse needs of their communities. With the ability to help local libraries raise funds for enhanced services and new acquisitions, patrons can positively improve the quality of library services available and foster a strong sense of community involvement.

Auto-Graphics will demonstrate the new book-buying functionality at this month's Public Library Association show, March 22-24, in Booth #2930. Attendees that participate in a product demo will automatically be entered in a drawing for a free Appleฎ iPod MP3 player. For more information, please contact Auto-Graphics at 800.776.6939.

About Baker & Taylor, Inc.

Baker & Taylor, Inc. is a global information and entertainment services company that offers books, videos, music, games and services to libraries, educational, and medical institutions, retailers, and Internet retailers. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company has been in existence for over 178 years, developing long-term relationships with over 30,000 suppliers, including book publishers, movie studios, game producers, and music labels. Baker & Taylor maintains the largest combined in-stock book, video and music inventory in the United States, and serves the broadest customer base in the industry. Baker & Taylor is owned by Willis Stein & Partners, a leading private equity investment firm specializing in investments in profitable, well-managed, and growing businesses targeting the consumer products and services, media, business services, manufacturing, and health care industries. For more information, please visit www.btol.com.

About Auto-Graphics, Inc.

Founded in 1950, Auto-Graphics has been a technology innovator for more than five decades, providing data automation solutions to customers across multiple industries. For the past 35 years, Auto-Graphics has helped libraries of all sizes become more efficient and patron-centric. Its flagship solution, AGent, is the one of the most comprehensive library automation platforms available today, allowing to libraries of any size manage, share and search their resources. The AGent integrated product suite – currently used by more than 5,000 libraries in North America – comprises a complete ILS system for public libraries; a robust ILL solution for consortial entities and member libraries; and a powerful federated search solution for both public and academic libraries. For more information, please visit www.autographics.com.

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Publication Year:2006
Type of Material:Press Release
Language English
Issue:March 13, 2006
Publisher:Auto-Graphics, Inc.
Company: Auto-Graphics, Inc.
Subject: Product announcements
Record Number:11861
Last Update:2024-11-24 10:38:18
Date Created:0000-00-00 00:00:00
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