NASHVILLE, TN – Ingram Content Group Inc., today announced that the Williamson County Public Library in Franklin, Tennessee has launched an innovative publishing program using IngramSpark®, Ingram's comprehensive print and digital independent publisher platform.

"The creation of our first book and the development of our publishing program has been a labor of love and illustrates how libraries of today can move forward in new and exciting ways to serve their patrons," said Dolores Greenwald, Library Director, Williamson County Public Library. "Through the tools available from Ingram, more public libraries can easily assist writers to independently publish their works to benefit the writer, readers and the communities they live in - IngramSpark is such a great program."

The Williamson County Library team used Ingram's easy-to-use publishing platform to develop and print copies of their first book, a children's book co-authored by library staff. The library has plans to expand the publishing program in 2014 with open submissions from the community.

"We've had great success using the tools of IngramSpark to launch our special library publishing program," Dolores Greenwald said. "Using IngramSpark, we were able to print stunning four-color books at great value, and all the proceeds from our book sales will go directly back into the library to fund new adult and youth programs, to maintain and increase collections, and to provide new technologies, equipment and other improvements."

The IngramSpark platform that was developed for independent publishers connects to Ingram's comprehensive print-on-demand and e-book technologies. Through the platform, libraries can easily launch publishing programs, and can set up and distribute print books and e-books simultaneously at minimal cost. The platform also provides worldwide access to leaders in online and traditional bookselling.

"Libraries have long provided an essential service by making books and other information freely available and accessible to local communities," said Dan Sheehan, Vice President and General Manager, Ingram Library Services. "We are pleased that our IngramSpark platform provided the Williamson County Public Library team with the tools to take their publishing idea from concept to reality, and we look forward to assisting them with their future plans."

Ingram associates will be discussing the IngramSpark platform at Ingram booth number 431 at the American Library Association show, January 24 - 28 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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ABOUT INGRAM
Ingram Content Group Inc. is a subsidiary of Nashville-based Ingram Industries Inc. Ingram provides books, music and media content to over 39,000 retailers, libraries, schools and distribution partners in 220 countries and territories. More than 30,000 publishers use Ingram’s fully integrated physical and digital distribution, logistics, and manufacturing solutions to access global consumer demand, and realize the full business potential of book content. Ingram’s operating units are Ingram Book Company, Lightning Source Inc., Vital Source Technologies, Inc., Ingram Periodicals Inc., Ingram International Inc., Ingram Library Services Inc., Spring Arbor Distributors Inc., Ingram Publisher Services Inc., Tennessee Book Company LLC, Coutts Information Services, and ICG Ventures Inc. For more information, visit www.ingramcontent.com