All, As you know every three years TLN issues an RFP to library materials vendors, seeking proposals for discounts on book/AV materials. The current set of signed contracts covers the period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027. Baker and Taylor is one of the vendors covered by this contract. That company's current/apparent financial challenges have been well documented in our professional literature as of late, and since B&T is such a significant presence in the library materials market, their troubles have caused disruption throughout the MI library world in terms of non-fulfillment of orders and thus, service to our patrons. As the above is the case, and in an effort to try to furnish libraries with the most accurate and up to date information that we can, I decided to reach out to our reps at "The Big Three" (Baker and Taylor, Brodart, Ingram) and ask them about their current status. Our B&T rep Curt Leppert has yet to respond. Given what we have been reading/hearing about Baker & Taylor, it is possible/understandable that Curt may be limited in terms of what and how much he can say at this time. Below are the copied/pasted replies from Brandy Cain at Ingram and Kim Langenderfer at Brodart. Please feel free to reach out to these reps directly, or contact me off-list if you have any questions. Thank you, Jim Flury Hi Jim, Thank you for your email! We are currently working through a high volume of communications helping libraries during this time. We are actively onboarding new library accounts. We are not turning libraries away. Due to moving to a new cataloging system, and due to volume, full shelf ready services do have a queue. Each library is different, and we have options for some shelf ready items now like mylar jackets, laminate, and a few other options now. We are excited for the new cataloging system we hope to be working fully in by first part of 2026 which will allow our libraries more flexibility in their set ups and options, faster set ups, and change requests to profiles going forward. Please feel free to share mine and Lisa’s contact with anyone who has questions, and we can work with them for their unique needs. Have a great evening, Brandy Brandy Cain Senior Inside Sales Representative | Ingram Library Services LLC p | 615.213.5786 e | [ mailto:brandy.cain@ingramcontent.com | brandy.cain@ingramcontent.com ] Lisa Deka Senior Sales Representative | Ingram Library Services LLC p | 440.665.5977 e | [ mailto:lisa.deka@ingramcontent.com | lisa.deka@ingramcontent.com ] Ingram Content Group | [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ingramcontent.com_&d=DwMF_g&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=iJ7Qlye5mk59pQHpYKILwg&m=VaQoPFCCHYkQmcKUm9wM9XIdE9t5Zwuj0KtlAHjaHp1TxklI3f24CIVUiozw1AfI&s=AY5kExscI6JFRSKh9R0YhyPAGziyCmPbLZGvEBqc_Do&e= | ingramcontent.com ] Ingram Content Group’s operating units include Ingram Book Group LLC, Ingram Publisher Services LLC, Lightning Source LLC., Ingram Library Services LLC, Ingram Content Group UK Ltd., Ingram Content Group AU, and Tennessee Book Company LLC . Hi Jim~ Apologies for the delay. I had myself scheduled for sales calls today . In hindsight I should have cancelled since my email is blowing up. The short answer is, yes. We are onboarding customers. The complicated answer is we cannot make any guarantees for set up time since we’ve had hundreds of profiles come in since last week. In the interest of time, we are suggesting customers wanting items only look to Ingram or Amazon to bridge the time gap, which could be several weeks if not months. If a library wants cataloging and processing, they will go in the queue to be set up after a profile is completed. The inquiries I’ve been getting from Michigan are libraries only wanting items. I’ve only had one who said they would be willing to wait. Let me know if you have any questions. Best regards, Kim Kim Langenderfer | Library Services Consultant Brodart Co. | Books & Library Services 800-233-8467 , ext. 6377 | M: 570-772-2474 [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.brodart.com_&d=DwMFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=iJ7Qlye5mk59pQHpYKILwg&m=fOAj56oG6ImzUazIPqD8Wz-7C9k8ehF1dgfntsvzyCM_PclWNdv5IAFprqLwwm21&s=EKzzOPx6gGYtjKW2FWCcGkDPepzJFt5bZmwltxackgE&e= | www.brodart.com ] Jim Flury Technical Services Manager The Library Network 41365 Vincenti Court Novi, MI 48375 248-536-3100, ext 133 Note New Fax Number: 248-716-5584 Note New Email Address:jflury@tln.org