Bloomington, Ind.-Based 1stBooks Poised for Growth.

Byline: Brian Werth

Nov. 18--1stBooks Library, the Internet and print-on-demand publisher, founded in Bloomington in 1997, has been rapidly growing.

The company has 115 employees busily working behind computer workstations perched on folding tables inside a large office at 2595 W. Vernal Pike on Bloomington's northwest side.

Just two years ago, the firm had 30 employees.

Now, with its founders Timothy E. Jacobs and H. David Hilliard gone and new investors on board, the business is poised for expansion.

Sales for 2002 are expected to be $10 million. 1stBooks President Robert McCormack forecasts annual sales of $40 million to $50 million within four or five years.

While the initial idea was to publish books online, the area that …