Northwest Indiana libraries are scrambling to find new ways to procure books because of the pending closure of Baker & Taylor, a nearly 200-year-old distributor that's the largest supplier of library materials and services in the country.

Calumet Region libraries have long gotten most of their new books, DVDs and other circulating materials from Baker & Taylor, which was founded in 1828. The Charlotte-based company ran a warehouse in Momence, Illinois, that supplied local libraries.

"The whole company is closing," Crown Point Community Library Director Julie Wendorf said. "They've had some disruptions in service since the pandemic. They had a buyout deal that fell through last week. That didn't work out. As a result, they're shuttering entirely."

Northwest Indiana libraries have faced d

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