SAGE Preparing for E-Reference Launch

-- Library Journal, 10/30/2006

Gliding into its 41st year, SAGE Publications may have its most exciting times ahead. The shift from print to electronic has forced many publishers to do a tightrope walk while balancing print on one side and electronic databases on the other. But SAGE president/CEO Blaise Simqu, higher ed VP Alison Mudditt, and reference president Rolf Janke were all smiles at a meeting in LJ's office last month when discussing the forthcoming release of new platforms for both reference and journals, as well as partnerships. The publisher is prepping for the January 2007 soft release of SAGE E-Reference, an electronic initiative on its own platform built by Ifactory, the same outfit that constructed the online edition of Oxford's Dictionary of National Biography. The platform will allow SAGE to host all its e-reference materials in a single space for easier access by libraries and patrons. SAGE also is using a purchase model—once a library makes a buy, it permanently owns the product, which is then accessible to unlimited users. Libraries also can buy individual titles or the full suite. As an offering to the library community, SAGE will give away free access to one of its backlist encyclopedias when the platform launches. SAGE titles continue to be available through Gale, as well. (See InfoTech, LJ, November 15, for more on this story).