It is a perfect match! Jones Library Sales merges with LFI.

We are very excited to announce the merger of two companies committed to the library market in their respective territory. Jones Library Sales and LFI share the common bond of an unwavering passion to satisfy their customers with knowledge and service. With over 60 years of library service combined, there is a lot of experience they bring to their customers today and in the future. The merger will be good for all Jones and LFI customers. New resources, expanded product lines, and a sharing of knowledge will benefit our existing and new customers. In particular, LFI will bring new product offerings and provide additional administrative and order processing services to Ken Jones. This will free him up, so he can spend more time consulting with clients and helping them improve their space with furniture and fixtures. LFI will benefit from the wisdom of Ken’s 40+ years of library service and additional product lines, too.

2017 is going to be an exciting year and we are anxious to make it a great one for you!

Ken’s Bio:
Ken Jones was raised in a library family. His father was the library director at St. Louis University, Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University. His sister is the retired library director at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas and his Niece is a librarian at the University of Houston.

Ken began his career in the library furnishings business in Cleveland, Ohio in 1975 as a direct salesman for Library Bureau. In 1976, Ken moved to Des Moines, Iowa to manage the Iowa-Nebraska territory. A few years later, Ken started his own business, Jones Library Sales and incorporated the business in 1980. In 1995, Ken purchased an office/warehouse in Carlisle, Iowa to better serve the library community. He expanded the business to Minnesota, North & South Dakota and SE Wisconsin.

He has been a lifelong supporter of the Iowa Library Association and a 26-year board member of the Iowa Library Association Foundation, serving as President for two years. He is currently the Scholarship Chair.

Jones Library Sales has furnished hundreds of libraries over the years, including the University of Iowa Library, Iowa State University Library, Grinnell College Library, Des Moines Central Public Library and Branch Libraries, Ames Public Library (twice), Dubuque Public Library, Marshalltown Public Library, Mason City Public Library, Omaha Public Library System, Grand Island Public Library, Sioux Falls Library System and Rapid City Libraries, among many others.

Jason’s Bio:
Jason Platt, in his dual role as installer and son-in-law to Ken, is continuing the Jones tradition that libraries are a family affair. He began his career with Jones Library Sales in 1999 as a way to supplement his income during the winter months. Quickly becoming a valuable member to the team, he was asked to stay during that first summer and has served as installation supervisor for 17 years.

He considers his decision to work for Ken Jones to be his smartest move of his young career and is grateful for all that he learned along the way.

Very popular with his library customers, Jason doesn’t leave a project until the customer is happy. Those who work with Jason, when confronted with an installation challenge, often defer to the thought, “Jason can do it”. A busy father and husband, Jason is excited for the career opportunity with the LFI merger. With the addition of the LFI team and resources, Ken and Jason will remain a formidable duo for their current customers for many years to come.