UNM PRESS MAKES A TENNESSEE MOVE

By Richard Polese

GARNETT STOKES was sworn in as UNM’s new president on March 5. Seven days later the University’s Board of Regents approved a contract with Longleaf Services “to assume both warehousing and distribution functions for the UNM Press.” All warehouse stock and fulfillment services will be moved to a Tennessee location by July 1, 2018.

This wasn’t the happiest turn of events for many book people throughout the Southwest.

Several have deep concerns how this move may impact our long-respected book publishing realm here. Cost savings were the rationale for the move, but contract terms are also costly.

The University of New Mexico Press oversees distribution for some thirty notable publishers in our region. We were told that UNM will soon determine which publishers it will continue to work with under the Longleaf deal: “On a case-by-case basis,” according to Melissa Vargas of the Provost’s office. Cutbacks are coming for UNM Press staff and the number of titles that will appear in a given year. Richard Schuetz was named Interim Director of UNM Press last July.

---