New career skills training courses within the Axis 360 digital platform provides library patrons access to invaluable career training. Baker & Taylor’s online courses, powered by Penn Foster, prepare online learners for in-demand jobs and ensure industry advancement and career mobility.

The career field has changed in America—digital skills are in high demand and computer literacy is necessary. For more than 128 years, Penn Foster, an accredited online school, has empowered millions of students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the workplace of today. These courses are an extension of that mission, and a way for libraries to offer patrons more.

Mid-Continent Public Library is one of the first customers to launch the program within their library system, which reaches more than 800,000 citizens in the Greater Kansas City area. “Library customers are increasingly turning to the library as a resource to ‘upskill’ and gain the tools to compete in the ever-changing economy,” said Steven V. Potter, executive director of Mid-Continent.

Libraries play a critical role in fostering a community of lifelong learners, and Baker & Taylor helps libraries achieve greater engagement through programs like this. “As our customers increasingly pursue self-driven employment opportunities, including gig economy work and even traditional skilled labor expertise,” Potter added, “this new partnership will provide unprecedented access to mobile-friendly, self-paced learning opportunities designed for working learners and focused on today’s most in-demand skills.”

These courses, provided on the Axis 360 digital platform (also home to ebooks and audiobooks), are self-paced and designed for nontraditional learners; they include digital literacy, career-oriented math, and adult literacy, and offer more than 700 full-time proctors, teaching assistants and academic coaches.

“By helping public libraries provide seamless access to skills training for the most in-demand jobs, we are creating new opportunities for career mobility that can be accessed by the individuals who need it most,” said Amandeep Kochar, executive vice president of Public Library Sales and Technology at Baker & Taylor. “One of the primary goals of our library partners is to help patrons succeed in their careers by fostering an environment of lifelong learning.”

We’re excited to work with you! For more information contact your sales consultant, email btinfo@baker-taylor.com or call 800-775-1800.

 

One book has the power to positively change someone’s life. Now imagine hundreds of books, delivered to readers anywhere with no barriers. That’s the power of Pop Up Library, Baker & Taylor’s newest tools for getting more books to more readers.

Pop Up Library is a small network device with one dedicated purpose—to instantly deliver ebooks to readers wherever libraries choose. Libraries that use Pop Up Library are able to extend the reach of their digital collection across the community so material is accessible to all. By working with community partners, businesses, government offices, and more, Pop Up Library creates a space for readers anywhere.

“This is brand new technology in the library market space,” says Michael Bills, director of sales and marketing for Baker & Taylor’s digital products. “Every library wants to engage with more of their community, but libraries don’t have limitless funding. Pop Up Library is a low cost way to achieve greater engagement and create a larger presence in a library’s community.”

For years, libraries have come up with inventive ideas to reach more individuals within their communities. Bookmobiles, temporary branch locations, and book vending machines have all been employed with great success, but each requires significant capital investment. No other remote library program is as affordable and spotlights a library’s digital collection quite like Pop Up Library.

A group of libraries around the world worked with Baker & Taylor as early adopters of the Pop Up Library program, including Atlanta-Fulton County, Broward County, and Evanston Public Library. Baker & Taylor officially launched the Pop Up Library program at the ALA’s Midwinter Conference in Seattle this January, and demand from libraries everywhere was immediate.

“One of the reasons we’re a 200-year-old company is that we listen to the customers we serve, and we provide products and services that will help them be successful,” adds Bills. “The central role that libraries play in boosting literacy is one of the greatest accomplishments of the institution. We’re proud to be helping libraries achieve this calling.”

Here are five questions (and answers) about this unique and innovative program:

1. How does it work? A library partners with a local business or government organization in its community (like a coffee shop or a hospital waiting room) and sets up an easy-to-use Wi-Fi hotspot in that location. When individuals join the free Wi-Fi network branded with the library’s logo, they’ll be given instant access to the library’s digital collection through Axis 360.
2. What’s required for users? Absolutely nothing. No no app downloading is required to access eBooks from a Pop Up Library location. Use a smart phone device or computer to connect for free and begin reading directly within the browser; readers can even save the book for later within the browser’s cache during the duration of the library’s check out period.
3. How does Pop Up Library foster awareness for the library? When browsing the Pop Up Library system, a message will appear for readers encouraging them to sign up for a library card and check out the other resources their local library has to offer. Baker & Taylor will also provide marketing materials to help inform the public about Pop Up Libraries.
4. What is the benefit for libraries? For years, libraries have tried introducing new ways of engagement, even with limited funding resources. With Pop Up Library, more patrons are introduced to the library thus increasing circulation and membership numbers. And of course, fostering a community full of lifelong readers is the ultimate goal of any library. Pop Up Library helps push that mission forward.
5. Where do I sign up? For libraries interested in getting more information, contact your sales representative through Baker & Taylor.

 

We’re excited to work with you! For more information contact your sales consultant, email btinfo@baker-taylor.com or call 800-775-1800.

 

Baker & Taylor has been empowering libraries since 1828 with the industry’s best products and services. Among many of our programs, you can also always depend on your trusted library partner for Spanish language materials and services. From collection development to leading technical services, ebooks to notification programs, we deliver Spanish language titles with services that simplify ordering and save your staff time. Take a look into our suite of services and further discover what all we have to offer!

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Selection Lists
Within our state-of-the-art collection management and acquisition platform, Title Source 360, there is a wealth of Spanish language selection lists available. With a focus on both current and forthcoming titles, it’s easy to find the titles your patrons want to read.
Auto Ship Programs Need to simplify your collection development workflow for Spanish materials? Depend on our specially-monitored automatic shipment programs to deliver the titles you need on time to your library.

Paperback Parade
Baker & Taylor’s Paperback Parade program provides a monthly shipment of new and recently published popular titles in trade paperback. Music Parade provides a monthly
shipment of new Latin music CDs.

Notification Programs                                                                                                    FirstLook™ Custom notification services from Baker & Taylor delivers individually-tailored selection carts for your Spanish Language materials needs via Title Source 360. You determine the profiles and carts you need, as well as a schedule for delivery. Depend on our team of professional librarians and merchandising specialists to deliver the high-visibility new and forthcoming Spanish language titles you need.

CHILDREN’S AND TEEN SERVICES

As a leader in Children’s and Teen Services (CATS), Baker & Taylor has robust programs designed to support Children’s Librarians and the readers they serve. Our CATS team provides collection development services designed with the young and teen reader in mind, including selection lists for Spanish and bi-lingual language titles.                                                                                                                                                                                        Kirkus Collections
Baker & Taylor is proud to partner with Kirkus Reviews for Kirkus Collections. This unique program brings the review expertise of Kirkus to selection lists exclusively available through Baker & Taylor. The editors and reviewers of the vaunted Kirkus Reviews identify diverse books that meet their rigorous standards of quality and literary
merit. They group the books in thematic lists within categories, offering rich context for recommendations. Baker & Taylor then makes the curated collections available on Title Source 360. Several featured lists include Latinx themes.

CATALOGING AND PROCESSING

Baker & Taylor offers libraries a full range of cataloging and processing options and services. We know every library has different needs so our approach is personal. We will work with you to fully understand and meet your requirements for Spanish Language and bilingual titles. We can deliver all your materials cataloged and processed — and get them into your hands quickly — improving circulation and easing staff workloads.

EBOOK AND DIGITAL AUDIO

Axis 360 Digital Media Library from Baker & Taylor is our comprehensive ebook and digital audiobook lending platform. Featuring state of the art technology and integration with Baker & Taylor’s Title Source 360 ordering platform, librarians can order digital Spanish language content with ease. And with the Axis 360 app readers can enjoy their favorite titles on the go. Users can enjoy titles across computers, laptops, tablets and
smartphones.

LEASE PROGRAMS

Convenient and economical, Baker & Taylor’s book leasing plans increase the number of titles you have in circulation and satisfy patron demand for the hottest titles. Our Spanish language lease plans offer flexibility to meet reader requests while saving time and administrative dollars.

 

We can’t wait to hear from you! For more information contact your sales consultant, email btinfo@baker-taylor.com or call 800-775-1800.

 

Baker & Taylor is a proud sponsor of Library Journal’s Best Small Library in America Award. Library Journal’s annual award for the Best Small Library in America, was founded in 2005 to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of outstanding small libraries in the country. It honors the U.S. public library that most profoundly demonstrates outstanding service to populations of 25,000 or less. This year’s winner is Madison County Public Libraries, in Madison NC.  The Madison County Public Libraries (MCPL) has fully engaged its community with partnerships, outreach, relationships, and top-notch professional service. The result is a rejuvenated three-branch system that is such an exemplary model, thus it being  as LJ’s 2018 Best Small Library in America.

Baker & Taylor has been committed to empowering librarians to lead the future of literacy and learning since 1828. Over the last 190 years we’ve been supporting our customer partners as the role of the community library has evolved. We know, regardless of community size, the library is one of the most valuable and needed community institutions.

Libraries that serve smaller and rural communities are innovators in reaching undeserved communities, creatively addressing literacy gaps and supporting community programs. Are you a small library? Baker & Taylor has resources especially for you! We are proud to offer products and services that help libraries across America, regardless of size.

Click here to learn how Baker & Taylor can help your library serve your community