Cengage Learning Launches Partnership with the Smithsonian Institution to Bring Smithsonian Treasures into the Library and Academic Space

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. and WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Gale, part of Cengage Learning and a leading publisher of research and reference resources for libraries, schools and businesses, and the Smithsonian Institution today announced a licensing agreement to distribute Smithsonian assets into the library and academic space.

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"We're elated to be working with the Smithsonian Institution," said Frank Menchaca, executive vice president, research solutions for Cengage Learning. "This agreement puts us closer to our goal of becoming the largest humanities research experience for the academic library. Through our extensive distribution channels throughout the world, in classrooms as well as in libraries, we'll put into the hands of students, teachers and researchers, a universe of materials that is structured for research in a way never before possible."

The Smithsonian Institution is 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 utilizing 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.

"Gale's digital research solution offers the Smithsonian a new, comprehensive way to reach the library and academic markets," said Carol LeBlanc, senior vice president, consumer and education products for Smithsonian Enterprises. "We look forward to working with Gale to create a compelling series of Smithsonian collections, enhanced by Gale's delivery system, to meet the needs of library markets worldwide."

For more information on this agreement or to request an interview, please contact Kristina Massari at [email protected].

About Cengage Learning and Gale
Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, software and services company for the academic, professional and library markets worldwide. Gale, part of Cengage Learning, serves the world's information and education needs through its vast and dynamic content pools, which are used by students and consumers in their libraries, schools and on the Internet. It is best known for the accuracy, breadth and convenience of its data, addressing all types of information needs – from homework help to health questions to business profiles – in a variety of formats. For more information, visit www.cengage.com or www.gale.cengage.com.

About The Smithsonian Institution
Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world's largest museum and research complex, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. There are 6,000 Smithsonian employees and 6,500 volunteers. Approximately 30 million people from around the world visited the Smithsonian in 2012. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at 137 million.

SOURCE Cengage Learning