CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 5, 2014 – Baker & Taylor, the premier worldwide distributor of digital and print books and entertainment products, announced today that its popular Axis 360 digital media platform is now integrated with the BiblioCommons discovery layer. This move ensures library patrons see and have access to all library materials from the online catalog – whether physical or digital – and creates a convenient experience for borrowing and enjoying ebooks and digital audiobooks in the patron's favorite reading apps and on their device of choice.
The integration of the two systems creates a simple and straightforward presentation of Axis 360 digital content alongside the library's print, movie and music holdings. From that unified and user-friendly display, patrons can discover and select from the library's entire range of materials available for borrowing. The real-time inventory display and deep API integration allows patrons to place holds when digital copies are not available, and to check out ebooks and digital audiobooks directly from a library's website. The entire experience for digital borrowing is centered in the BiblioCommons interface so that library patrons do not have to leave the library's website to access materials hosted remotely in the Axis 360 repository.
Baker & Taylor and BiblioCommons recently completed the first implementation of the new technology integration with Johnson County Library in Overland Park, Kansas. API-level integration with Axis 360 will now be available to all libraries using BiblioCommons.
"Baker & Taylor strives to improve patron and library experiences with digital services," said George Coe, Baker & Taylor's President and CEO. "Because of the close partnerships we've forged with BiblioCommons, ILS vendors and mobile technology providers, the day is coming soon when all Axis 360 libraries will be able to offer this valuable, user-friendly integration to their patrons. We would like to thank Johnson County Library for their participation with Axis 360 and the work they undertook to pioneer the integration with BiblioCommons."
"Our libraries' vision of interoperable ebook services, as outlined through ReadersFirst, gave us our direction," said Patrick Kennedy, President of BiblioCommons. "BiblioCommons was pleased to collaborate with Baker & Taylor in this important step towards realizing this goal."
BiblioCommons will make the update available to all of its library customers who use Axis 360.
With the addition of BiblioCommons, Axis 360 is now integrated with many of the leading ILS systems and discovery layers, including products from TLC, SirsiDynix and Polaris. Work is underway with other providers.
Used by many of the country's top public, K-12 school and academic libraries, Axis 360 offers a fully accessible platform for library users to find, check out and read digital titles on their phones, tablets and ereader 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 BiblioCommons
BiblioCommons first started as a non-profit youth literacy initiative and now provides online solutions to public libraries worldwide. The BiblioCore catalog service replaces all search and account management functionality of the traditional web catalog, works on top of existing Integrated Library Systems (ILSs), integrates seamlessly with the library's branding and website navigation, and delivers a robust social discovery experience. In addition to a full suite of complementary services, BiblioCommons recently released BiblioCMS, a complete solution for content and website management. Details on all services are at: www.bibliocommons.com/products.
