BRIDGEWATER - Baker & Taylor has announced plans that it will close its Route 22 book warehouse with the loss of more than 200 jobs.

The closure comes as Follett Corporation, the parent company of Baker & Taylor, announced Wednesday a shift in its business operations to allow Baker & Taylor to better "align" its operations with the parent company. Baker & Taylor will be exiting its business of distributing wholesale books to retailers.

According to a notice to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Baker & Taylor will start phased layoffs on July 3. However, according to a corporate spokesman, the facility is expected to close completely early next year.

In all 244 jobs will be lost.

In 2016, Baker & Taylor was acquired by Follett Corp., the world's largest single source of books, digital content and multi-media materials for libraries, schools and institutions. Baker & Taylor is Follett's connection to the public library market.

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"Public libraries have always been core to Baker & Taylor's business, which is why this change will help accelerate the pace of innovative solutions our teams are introducing to drive community outcomes," David Cully, president of Baker & Taylor, said in a news release. "Exiting wholesale book distribution will allow us to align our resources, technology and people to do what we do best – helping public libraries support the communities they serve."

"Baker & Taylor's public library business is critical to Follett's goals of improving the quality of life in communities through learning and education," said Pat Connolly, president and CEO of Follett. "This shift for Baker & Taylor reflects our intent to focus all of Follett's capabilities, resources and investments to helping people learn, grow and thrive in communities everywhere."

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Baker & Taylor occupies the space on Route 22 formerly occupied by a Mack Trucks factory. Before moving to Bridgewater, Baker & Taylor had a warehouse on Kirby Avenue in the southeastern corner of Somerville. That site is being redeveloped for homes.

Baker & Taylor will be "working closely with our existing customers and partners to en sure a smooth transition during this change," Cully said.

The decision to leave the retail book distribution business follow's Follett's sale of Baker & Taylor's retail entertainment products business in January.

Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com