October 2025 – Baker & Taylor, NOLS’ longtime primary library materials vendor, is going out of business. Delivery delays of physical library materials are expected over the coming months. This includes books, DVDs, and audiobooks on CD. Wait times for new materials and hold requests may be longer than usual.
In late 2025, library patrons will begin noticing fewer cover images in NOLS’ online catalog due to the discontinuation of software provided through Baker & Taylor. NOLS is seeking a new vendor to restore this feature.
One of the largest distributors of print and audiovisual materials for libraries, Baker & Taylor served more than 4,000 institutional customers. Library staff are working hard to re-order as many materials as possible through secondary vendors to minimize delays. However, the sudden announcement has made it challenging for these vendors to keep up with increased demand.
As a taxpayer-funded institution, NOLS must follow a strict purchasing policy, which prohibits or discourages ordering from non-wholesale vendors or directly from bookstores. Library vendors provide negotiated discounts and additional key services like cataloging and processing, which support faster turnaround times for library patrons.
See this article for more information.
What you can do right now:
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Reserve titles early. Log in to your NOLS account at catalog.nols.org to place holds on titles. If you’re signed up for notifications, you’ll be alerted when your item is ready for checkout.
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Search “Available Now” options. When searching the catalog, select the Available Now filter to see items ready for immediate checkout. Materials are delivered between branches nearly every day, so you can place a hold on any item for future pickup at your local branch.
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Browse digital materials. Many new eBooks, eAudiobooks, and videos are instantly available through Libby, Kanopy, and Hoopla.
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Explore new reads. Browse the shelves to discover a new author, genre, or format. Ask staff for recommendations, or fill out the BookMatch form to receive a custom booklist based on your preferences.
We sincerely appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience.