Britannica, Rosen Partner to Target Schools, Libraries
RSSBy SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 05/15/2009
Educational publishers Facts On File and ABC-CLIO better watch out—Britannica Educational Publishing is about to enter the same marketplace, with a focus on high schools.
The new joint venture between Encyclopaedia Britannica and Rosen Educational Services will give Rosen’s editors complete access to Britannica’s “full content base” to create and distribute a range of curriculum-correlated material, as well as individual titles and e-books, for the K-12 school and library market, says Ken Katula, Rosen’s director of library sales and business development.
Encyclopaedia Britannica plans to publish its first 80 titles in 2010, followed by 100 titles in 2011, for students in grade 7–12 in the areas of science, social studies, history, and current events. The first books to roll out in January 2010 will include subjects such as great inventors, space travel, and the human body, Katula says.
Why enter this highly competitive market during a severe economic downturn? Katula says Rosen, which has spent 50 years as an educational publisher, is “confident that it can compete” in this marketplace, and besides, the high school market for educational publishing is less crowded than for elementary schools, he adds.
Rosen Publishing Groups' new distribution company, Rosen Educational Services, will handle all aspects of publishing and distributing to the educational market.
“The Britannica brand signifies editorial excellence,” says Roger Rosen, president of Rosen Educational Services. “In an age of subjective information and spin, Encyclopaedia Britannica’s authoritative material will be a vital addition to student resources.”
Although it’s still too early for pricing details, Katula says, books will range from $35 to $75, with discounts available for schools.
