Click here to receive your FREE subscription to Education Channel Partner

Gale Acquires HighBeam Research

By: Chris Riedel

1/5/2009

Gale, a part of Cengage Learning, has recently announced the acquisition of Web-based library and reference material provider HighBeam Research Inc.

According to the announcement, the purchase is aimed at providing customers of both organizations expanded access to "editorially selected" content from a range of sources including newspapers, magazines, journals, and reference works among others. Assets from HighBeam include the HighBeam Research Library, as well as the company's reference site, Encyclopedia.com.

"The acquisition of HighBeam is a natural extension of our user-focused strategy," said Patrick C. Sommers, President, Gale, in a prepared statement. "Gale has had a presence on the open Web for many years now, particularly with AccessMyLibrary, which brings users from search engines into a library environment to explore their vast content riches. Now, with the added expertise of HighBeam, Gale will have a greater opportunity to learn more about user behavior and research trends, and will use that information to further develop and enhance the user experience for all our products."

Operations for the HighBeam business are expected to remain in Chicago. Financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.


About the author: Chris Riedel is a freelance writer based in Florida. He can be reached here.