American Library Association | Search ALA | Contact ALA | Give ALA | Join ALA | ALA FAQ | ALA Login

American Libraries

Site Navigation







Left Sidebar Items

Online Features
AL Twitter feed

Follow American Libraries news stories, videos, and blog posts on Twitter.

Encyclopaedia Britannica
Unveils Free Online Site

In a bid for financial survival, the Encyclopaedia Britannica began offering the entire contents of its 32-volume set on the Internet at no charge October 20.

The site, which is supported through advertising, also offers current information from the Washington Post news services, and 70 magazines, as well as e-mail, weather forecasts, and financial reports.

The 231-year-old company with headquarters in Chicago has struggled financially through the last decade, according to an October 19 Associated Press report. At its peak in 1989 Britannica had $650 million in revenues and a sales force of 2,300; today its work force is down to 350 and sales have dropped precipitously.

Although Britannica was the first encyclopedia on the Web in 1994, it charged an annual $85 fee, making it out-of-place among the free information sites. Its 1994 CD-ROM venture also fizzled because it couldn’t compete with Microsoft’s multimedia Encarta.

Posted October 25, 1999.

Right Sidebar

AL Joblist
ALA Store





advertisement