All, The proposed acquisition of Baker & Taylor by ReaderLink has been mutually called off. I don't know what this means for the future of B&T. My personal opinion, based on having zero insider knowledge of the company is that this does not bode well. [ https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/ar... | https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/ar... ] Jim 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 From: "Jim Flury" <jflury@tln.org> To: "all-tln" <all-tln@lists.tln.org>, "partnerscda" <partnerscda@lists.tln.org>, "michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org> Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 10:49:44 AM Subject: [all-tln] Fwd: Acquisition of Baker & Taylor, LLC by ReaderLink Distribution Services, LLC All, The below landed in my email while I was on vacation. By now everyone has probably seen this, but I thought I would share it nevertheless. Hopefully this transaction will serve to bring some stability to B&T, financially and otherwise. They are a much storied vendor and a very important player in our library world. We want to see the level of vendor competition kept at a high level, as this best serves our interests. Jim 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 From: "Baker & Taylor" <reply@e.baker-taylor.com> To: "Jim Flury" <jflury@tln.lib.mi.us> Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2025 8:32:54 AM Subject: Acquisition of Baker & Taylor, LLC by ReaderLink Distribution Services, LLC A Note from Aman Kochar, President and CEO [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__click.e.baker-2Dtaylor.com_-3Fqs-3Df4532ab328f378615a3e659af6bb4cf772d692c0bc1ac4b6f91e46f75c3bf4e18735b79c518125142dd62dc985b9bdfcf9ed94240e219c6fa3bc7cbc6ccc2804&d=DwMDaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=VZwzE-ihmVk8MWnuOKeBhdzjlCVxa_pma10LdYu6QtI&m=MpNAA-1m2q9GtKRV8hC3BEN95mcTT2awCwxzoGRLrTgx7VkRxu7YBPpooqerPmQD&s=8Z3zlIOmWyIWXhAdGh1wbDYCMFpWP3rUFcZKsYPNXAM&e= ] A Note from Aman Kochar, President and CEO We are pleased to announce that ReaderLink Distribution Services, LLC (“ReaderLink”) and Baker & Taylor, LLC (“Baker & Taylor”) have entered a Letter of Intent whereby ReaderLink will acquire the business and substantially all the assets of Baker & Taylor. The transaction, which is subject to remaining due diligence and customary conditions to closing, is expected to close on or about September 26 , 2025. ReaderLink, the largest full-service book distributor in the world, is well-capitalized and maintains over $250 million in inventory across its six geographically optimized distribution centers, which will soon augment Baker & Taylor’s existing operations centers. The transaction brings additional resources for Baker & Taylor’s customers, including best-in-class in-stock positions, faster order turnarounds, and an expanded portfolio of library-tailored products while continuing Baker & Taylor’s personalized customer service. Most of the current Baker & Taylor management team and employees are joining the ReaderLink team, and I will continue to lead the Baker & Taylor business, reporting to Dennis E. Abboud, CEO of ReaderLink. By partnering with ReaderLink, your Baker & Taylor team will continue to deliver the exceptional service, inventory, and solutions you expect. No action is required from you at this time – you can continue placing orders as usual. We will continue to provide updates as we approach the close date. Regarding the transaction, Dennis E. Abboud, ReaderLink’s president and C.E.O., said, "We believe that the Company’s talented management team, dedicated employees and world-class Library partners distinguish Baker & Taylor as an industry leader. This transaction provides both Baker & Taylor and ReaderLink with additional assets and expertise to continue both companies’ long-standing, proven commitment to customer service to better enable our Library partners to succeed in a dynamic and evolving book market.” About ReaderLink Distribution Services, LLC ReaderLink is the largest full-service book distributor in the world, supporting over 400 retail accounts with more than 100,000 storefronts. ReaderLink’s distribution customer base comprises virtually every U.S. chain retailer, including mass merchants, warehouse clubs, grocery stores, drug stores, bookstores, online sellers, specialty retailers and transportation centers. In addition, ReaderLink supplies retail partners in Canada, the UK, Japan, and Australia, and supports U.S. military installations worldwide. ReaderLink sells approximately one out of every three of the most popular books annually sold in the U.S. ReaderLink also owns Printers Row Publishing Group, a “top 10” trade publisher with thousands of proprietary and published titles. For more information go to [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__click.e.baker-2Dtaylor.com_-3Fqs-3Df4532ab328f378612100fdce2375f3bd3488d2801862a11fbcdfea83c63cc4758b6c5c0ca628b91f9b31ad7286b822d8156cb51a822e76c6&d=DwMDaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=VZwzE-ihmVk8MWnuOKeBhdzjlCVxa_pma10LdYu6QtI&m=MpNAA-1m2q9GtKRV8hC3BEN95mcTT2awCwxzoGRLrTgx7VkRxu7YBPpooqerPmQD&s=IgT_O0GxwCNx4bIXNEO1du87SPC2NvXzUUaTIlWLex4&e= | www.ReaderLink.com ] About Baker & Taylor, LLC Founded in 1828, Baker & Taylor has a long and storied history serving libraries. As a leading supplier, the company is well known and trusted for carrying the materials libraries need while innovating and bringing unique products to customers worldwide. Backed by comprehensive logistics and unparalleled customer support, Baker & Taylor empowers libraries to enrich their collections, engage patrons, and nurture literacy and lifelong learning. Learn more at [ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__click.e.baker-2Dtaylor.com_-3Fqs-3Df4532ab328f3786113fbb0fc89e4d2cd45f65750f3298b3076a934733d22b62d168348e4c1a434a3a618848e662b4044d34ea1a3a866c979&d=DwMDaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=VZwzE-ihmVk8MWnuOKeBhdzjlCVxa_pma10LdYu6QtI&m=MpNAA-1m2q9GtKRV8hC3BEN95mcTT2awCwxzoGRLrTgx7VkRxu7YBPpooqerPmQD&s=Ha-KHmbeh2q-HyIcZudtCmAzy1DYiwejjO8RifJvJUc&e= | www.baker-taylor.com ] . 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