Thomson Gale is probably one of the most recognized names in library and reference resources, but the day before yesterday Thomson Corporation announced that it would be selling off it’s Thomson Learning business as of January 1st, 2007. Here’s what they say:
The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC) today announced a realignment of operations to sharpen its strategic focus on providing electronic workflow solutions to business and professional markets and better position the company for future growth. As part of the realignment, which becomes effective January 1, 2007, Thomson intends to sell its Thomson Learning businesses, including those serving the higher education, careers, library reference, corporate e-learning and e-testing markets. (From their Oct. 25th Press Release)
They’re splitting Thomson Learning into three parts, and the bidding for the higher education part has not yet started.
tags: thomson_corporation, thomson_gale, reference
I probably should have seen this development earlier this week, but now I can say I saw it here first. It seems like Thomson bought the whole world of publishing. I’m just surprised they’re selling some of their empire off, despite their shift in focus. My library spends a very substantial amount of money (I really don’t want to say how much) per year on materials from various divisions of Thomson all over the world (mostly from West, but also including Gale).
I really can’t think of anyone else Thomson has left to buy (whether in legal publishing or in other areas). One must wonder, though… with this reorganization, how will the brand names we are so familiar with (that Thomson acquired over the years) change, if they change at all? Does anyone really refer to such brands as West, Gale, Carswell, and Dialog with a Thomson in front of the name?
I wonder who will buy Gale? Will it be another library publisher? Please post more on this topic.