durham county library

Durham County Library: New Book Delays After Baker & Taylor Shutdown

Patrons should expect fewer new arrivals and longer wait times as the library shifts to alternate vendors following the collapse of its main supplier.

Wes Platt

Wes Platt

— 3 min read
Photo of library stacks in a Durham branch with rows of books and fluorescent ceiling lights; Southpoint Access logo in the corner.
New book orders are on pause across Durham’s libraries after a major supplier collapse.

The collapse of Baker & Taylor - long the nation’s largest wholesaler to public libraries - means Durham County Library patrons are unlikely to see many new books on shelves in the coming months.

County officials notified patrons on Thursday that Baker & Taylor, the library system’s primary supplier, is closing at the end of the year and can’t fill most outstanding orders.

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“While we are working to resolve the situation and buy what we can through other sources, it will likely take some time before our book ordering is able to return to normal levels,” the statement said. “Many public libraries across the country are facing the same circumstances, with wait times for new books taking much longer than usual.”

Baker & Taylor’s turmoil has been building. On Oct. 6, the company reportedly laid off about 520 employees, including 318 at its Illinois distribution center, after canceling publisher orders while preparing for an ultimately failed takeover by ReaderLink, according to Publishers Weekly. Librarians had already flagged delivery issues before the latest round of layoffs.

What This Means for Durham patrons

  • Fewer new arrivals: Expect limited new releases on shelves and in the catalog.
  • Longer holds queues: New-title wait times may lengthen across print and audiobooks.
  • Temporary purchasing shifts: The library is seeking alternate vendors; normal ordering could take time to resume.
  • Digital options remain: e-books and e-audiobooks from existing platforms may be less affected.

How to Stay Updated

  • Watch the library’s service alerts and social channels for vendor updates and new-title purchasing timelines.
  • Ask staff for read-alike recommendations and help placing holds on upcoming releases.
  • Explore digital collections for earlier access to popular titles.
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