PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time, libraries can affordably provide their patrons with an instant multi-disciplinary e-book library with unlimited access and the ability to leverage usage data to make strategic purchasing decisions.

ebrary®, a leading provider of digital content products and technologies, today announced that it has expanded its relationship with Baker & Taylor’s YBP Library Services to provide libraries with a completely new and effective way to acquire the widest breadth and depth of authoritative content from leading publishers.

YBP is planning to integrate ebrary’s usage statistics with its e-preferred approval plan workflow, rolling out in late summer. Utilizing past ebrary usage history coupled with YBP’s existing approval plan methodology will ensure that libraries are alerted to e-book titles with a higher likelihood of circulation.

“ebrary pioneered the subscription e-book market more than a decade ago and has always provided very detailed usage reports showing how patrons are actually using e-books, from viewing pages to copying and printing text,” said George Coe, President of Library & Education for Baker & Taylor. “By examining this data – for current and past customers – we can help guide future titles delivered via our unique approval plan process. Integrating Academic Complete with our e-preferred approval plans will change the way libraries acquire digital content.”

“We believe our initiative with Baker & Taylor solves many challenges that libraries are facing, especially in light of today’s economy,” said Kevin Sayar, President of ebrary. “Baker & Taylor’s YBP customers now have a risk-free way to subscribe to a wealth of valuable content from leading publishers and purchase individual e-books more strategically.”

About Baker & Taylor

Baker & Taylor, Inc. (www.baker-taylor.com) is a global information and entertainment services company that offers print and digital books and entertainment products along with value-added services to libraries, educational institutions and retailers. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company has been in existence for more than 180 years, developing long-term relationships with major suppliers, including book publishers, movie studios and music labels. Baker & Taylor maintains one of the largest combined in-stock book, video and music inventories in the United States, and services the broadest customer base in the industry. Baker & Taylor is majority owned by Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P., a leading private equity investment firm.

About ebrary (www.ebrary.com)

ebrary helps libraries, corporations, publishers and consumers get the most out of their digital content. The company offers a growing selection of more than 170,000 digital books, handbooks, reports, maps, journals and other valuable content from more than 350 of the world’s leading publishers under flexible subscription, purchase, and usage-based models. Additionally, ebrary offers e-publishing services for customers to cost-effectively distribute their own PDF content online on ebrary’s servers or their own.

All ebrary products and services can be integrated and delivered via a single easy-to-use interface that includes powerful tools for finding, discovering, and managing information. With ebrary InfoTools™, every word in the ebrary system is a network to other online resources of the customers’ choice, extending their value while increasing end-user knowledge and efficiencies.

Founded in 1999, ebrary is privately held and is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, USA.