Lectorum Publications, the largest independent distributor of Spanish-language books in the U.S., will close after more than 60 years in business, with its inventory of approximately 700,000 books scheduled for auction on December 4.
The Lyndhurst, N.J.-based company, which serves as a primary pipeline for Spanish-language titles to schools and libraries nationwide, cited a confluence of factors leading to its closing.
"The most critical factor for us was the shift in federal funding policies for schools, in particular regarding Title I funds, intended in part for purchases of books in Spanish," Lectorum president and CEO Alex Correa told PW. "Our sales were impacted by 30% during the year, which is hard on an industry that already works with thin margins."
In previous years, Correa reported that schools overall represented 60% of Lectorum's business, with children's books for K-8 accounting for 70%-75% of total sales. Post-pandemic revenues for the company were estimated to be $12 million annually.
In addition to its distribution business, Lectorum also served as a publisher and has a backlist of some 200 titles, including Kat DiCamillo’s Gracias a Winn-Dixie, the Spanish-language translation of the bestseller Because of Winn-Dixie. Correa said he has spoken to other publishers who will take on the publication and ensure continuity for key titles.
Lectorum also served as the sales agent for MakeMake, the Colombia-based e-book distributor that works with libraries and schools. "Their service is expected to continue without interruption and [parent company] Makina Editorial will be contacting all customers now and during FIL," Correa said, referring to the Guadalajara International Book Fair.
Despite ongoing financial pressures, Lectorum maintained its distribution contracts with major school systems into this year. Correa confirmed that all contracts, including those with New York City public schools, were renewed for 2025—a key relationship that went back to 2014 when Lectorum won a bid to become one of three companies providing trade books to New York City schools. This milestone shifted the company's focus from being almost exclusively Spanish-language to fully bilingual. The company later won contracts to supply books to schools in Chicago and Omaha, Correa told PW on the occasion of the company's 60th anniversary.
The closure marks an abrupt reversal for a company that as recently as 2023 reported sales growth of 7% for print titles and 15% for e-books. Correa attributed the company's downturn to multiple challenges beyond just the federal funding shift, including flat or decreasing library and school budgets over the past two years; a weakened U.S. dollar that increased costs for imported books; expanded competition from domestic publishers offering Spanish-language titles at low prices; and reduced distributor margins as large publishing conglomerates acquired more imprints and offered shorter discounts.
Lectorum's difficulties were compounded by the recent collapse of Baker & Taylor, which began shutting down its business earlier this year, leaving significant debt behind. "We are like all publishers—we are not sure if we will get paid," Correa said.
After seeking other solutions to shore up the business, Correa listed the company for sale with a broker in August, but admitted the decision came too late. "The possibility [of selling] was thought of recently, but those processes take months to materialize and it was late for the moment we were already in," Correa said of the unsuccessful sale effort.
A.J. Willner Auctions will conduct the December 4 liquidation sale of Lectorum's inventory. While Correa declined to discuss specific debts, he said the auction proceeds would be aimed at paying off obligations.
The company's workforce had already been reduced from 30 employees in the summer to 15 currently, with eight expected to remain through the end of December when operations close. Accounts receivable will stay open until March 2026.
The closure ends a story that began when the company first opened as a bookstore on 14th St. in Manhattan before expanding into distribution and publishing operations. Lectorum was acquired by Scholastic in 1996 and later purchased by Correa and his brother Luis Fernando in late 2009. The company built its market position by working with publishers including Anaya, Juventud, and Planeta from Spain; Ekare from Venezuela; Progreso from Mexico; Panamericana from Colombia; and V&R from Argentina.
Correa said he has no plans to restart the business. "I was thinking about getting someone to run the company in a few years, but now this is not the case," he said. "I will probably stay a couple of years consulting in some capacity, but not creating another company. I want to remain with the great memories of almost 16 years with Lectorum and forget about the last one."
In a statement to customers, Correa reflected on the company's impactful legacy, which is what he hopes will persist. "It has been over 60 years of hard and rewarding work that brought us infinite great memories helping students, teachers, librarians, and business partners," Correa said. "That's what we will always remember.”
