Gale, part of Cengage Learning and a publisher of research and reference resources for libraries, schools and businesses, and the Smithsonian Institution have announced a licensing agreement to distribute Smithsonian assets into the library and academic space.
The Smithsonian Institution claims to be the world's largest museum and research complex, with 19 museums, 9 research centers and more than 140 affiliate museums around the world. The complex houses nearly 137 million objects, works of art and specimens and its facilities see nearly 30 million visitors per year. Under the agreement, Cengage Learning will have access to the complete archives of Smithsonian Magazine and Air and Space magazine, as well as collections covering American history, science, world cultures and more.
As part of this partnership, Cengage Learning will have rights to develop Smithsonian branded products created for the library and academic markets utilising Smithsonian assets. Immediate plans in the library space include the creation of a digital archive of the complete back files of both Air and Space magazine and Smithsonian Magazine, and will incorporate new issues on an ongoing basis. The product will take advantage of Gale's market-leading application for digital primary sources, with tools to support new forms of discovery and use of Smithsonian content.
