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Infobase
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Infobase is an American publisher of databases, reference book titles and textbooks geared towards the North American library, secondary school, and university-level curriculum markets. Infobase operates a number of prominent imprints, including Facts On File, Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Ferguson Publishing, Vault Law, Omnigraphics, and Chelsea House (which also serves as the imprint for the special collection series, "Bloom's Literary Criticism", under the direction of literary critic Harold Bloom).[citation needed]

Key Information

History

[edit]

Facts On File has been publishing books since 1941.[2] It was owned by CCH from 1965 to 1993.[3] The publisher publishes general reference and trade books.[4] Facts On File acquired Ferguson Publishing, which specializes in career education works, in 2003.[5]

Chelsea House was founded in 1966. It is known for multi-volume reference works.[6]

The private equity firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson bought Facts on File and Chelsea House in 2005.[7][8] Infobase bought Films for the Humanities & Sciences in 2007 and the World Almanac in 2009.[9] Infobase acquired Learn360 in 2012.[10] In 2017, Infobase acquired The Mailbox lesson plans and Learning magazine.[11] Veronis Suhler Stevenson sold Infobase to another private equity firm, Centre Lane Partners, in 2018.[12] Northlane Capital Partners became the majority owner in 2022.[13]

Infobase acquired Credo Reference in 2018.[14] The World Almanac was sold to SkyHorse Publishing in 2020. Infobase acquired careers website Firsthand (including Vault.com), in 2021.[15] Infobase acquired Omnigraphics in 2022.[16]

As well as nonfiction works in print, Infobase and its imprints publish a selection of works in digital, audiovisual and online database formats.[citation needed]

Imprints

[edit]
  • Facts On File
  • Films for the Humanities & Sciences
  • Cambridge Educational
  • Chelsea House Publishing
  • Bloom's Literary Criticism
  • Ferguson Publishing
  • Omnigraphics

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Infobase

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Infobase is an American educational publishing company founded in 1941, headquartered in Dover, Delaware, that specializes in providing databases, reference books, textbooks, eBooks, videos, and digital tools designed to enhance information literacy for K-12 schools, colleges, universities, public libraries, and corporate training programs. With over 80 years of expertise, the company has evolved from its origins with imprints like Facts On File—a reference publisher established in 1941—to a comprehensive provider of award-winning resources that support learners and educators in building critical thinking and research skills. Key offerings include Bloom’s Literature for literary analysis, Films Media Group for educational videos, Infobase eBooks for digital reading, and Vault for career guidance, all aimed at fostering informed decision-making and lifelong learning across diverse audiences. Infobase's content is trusted by millions of users and has earned recognition for its high-quality, curriculum-aligned materials that address the needs of modern education and professional development.

Overview

Company Profile

Infobase Holdings, Inc. traces its origins to Facts on File, founded in as a publisher of reference materials for schools and libraries. The company in its current form emerged through subsequent , establishing Infobase as a key player in educational publishing. Headquartered in , Infobase serves a global audience including K-12 schools, academic institutions, public libraries, and corporate training programs. With over 80 years of expertise in developing supplemental educational materials, the company employs approximately 150-200 people as of 2024. Infobase is majority owned by Capital Partners since 2022. As of December 2024, the CEO is William Rieders. Infobase has generated estimated annual revenues in the range of $35-45 million as of 2024, reflecting its established position in the sector. Over time, it has evolved from a traditional print-focused publisher to a prominent provider of solutions.

Mission and Market Focus

Infobase's mission centers on empowering learners, educators, and organizations with trusted content and tools to build skills and support . This objective emphasizes equipping individuals to navigate information confidently and make informed decisions across various contexts. The company primarily serves markets in K-12 education for curriculum support, higher education for research tools, public libraries for reference access, and corporate or employer training for . These sectors benefit from resources tailored to foster and digital skills. Infobase places strong emphasis on subjects including STEM, humanities, career readiness, and current events, integrating elements such as videos, eBooks, articles, and interactive activities to enhance . It commits to providing award-winning, curriculum-aligned resources that align with educational standards and accommodate diverse . Infobase differentiates itself through comprehensive, searchable digital libraries that offer all-in-one access to content, contrasting with more fragmented offerings from competitors by supporting seamless integration for instruction and research.

History

Founding and Early Years

Facts On File, the foundational entity of what would become Infobase, was established in New York in 1940 as a publisher focused on timely news digests and reference materials for educational and research purposes. Its inaugural publication, the World News Digest, launched in 1940 and provided weekly summaries of major global political, social, and economic events drawn from over 100 newspapers and news magazines worldwide. In its early years during the , Facts On File quickly expanded its portfolio to include encyclopedic yearbooks and specialized references covering , , and current events. The Facts on File Yearbook, first published in 1943 as an indexed record of world events from the prior year, became a cornerstone title, offering detailed chronologies and objective overviews valued by historians and libraries. These print-based resources emphasized factual accuracy and accessibility, establishing the company's reputation in reference publishing amid the information demands of the era. Post-World War II, Facts On File experienced significant growth by targeting educational markets with almanacs, atlases, and additional reference works tailored for schools and libraries. This expansion capitalized on the rising need for reliable, materials in postwar America, with early titles serving as precursors to broader almanac-style compilations that prioritized conceptual overviews of key topics rather than exhaustive data lists. By the late , the company's emphasis on print references had built a strong foundation in serving librarians and educators, though it later referenced acquisitions for further development.

Key Acquisitions and Expansion

Infobase's strategic growth accelerated in the early through targeted acquisitions that bolstered its and portfolio. In 2003, Facts On File, a core imprint later consolidated under Infobase, acquired , a Chicago-based specialist in resources, enhancing offerings in vocational guidance and materials. This move preceded the formal establishment of Infobase as a unified entity. By 2005, private equity firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson acquired Facts On File and Chelsea House Publishers, forming Infobase Publishing as a parent company to consolidate these assets and streamline operations across and curriculum-based titles. Chelsea House, founded in 1966 and known for its young adult reference works, brought a depth of curriculum-aligned content in history, , and social studies, marking a pivotal consolidation that positioned Infobase for broader market expansion. The company's entry into multimedia content came in 2007 with the acquisition of Films Media Group from Inc., including its Films for the Humanities & Sciences division, which provided a vast of educational videos and digital resources for academic and library use. This purchase diversified Infobase beyond print into streaming and video formats, supporting environments. In 2009, Infobase further strengthened its reference offerings by acquiring the World Almanac imprint from Weekly Reader Publishing Group, adding iconic annual compendiums of facts, statistics, and current events to its catalog. This acquisition reinforced Infobase's role as a go-to provider of authoritative, up-to-date materials for educators and researchers. Subsequent years saw continued expansion into specialized educational tools. In 2012, Infobase acquired Learn360, an interactive media-on-demand service for K-12 education, enhancing its digital multimedia resources. In 2017, Infobase purchased The Education Center, publisher of The Mailbox, a leading resource for K-8 lesson plans and classroom activities, integrating practical teaching aids into its ecosystem. By 2018, the acquisition of Credo Reference added an innovative digital platform for aggregated content, enabling enhanced search and discovery for academic users. In 2020, Infobase acquired the and training content from Hoonuit, including hundreds of courses on and pedagogy, completing a suite of educator support solutions. The early 2020s brought further diversification with the 2021 acquisition of Firsthand, encompassing the Vault.com guides and mentoring platform, which expanded Infobase's readiness resources for students and . In , Omnigraphics was acquired, adding specialized and medical reference titles to address growing demand in consumer information. These moves, up to , significantly scaled Infobase's operations, broadened its multimedia and digital capabilities, and extended its global reach through integrated platforms serving schools, libraries, and professionals; no major acquisitions have been reported since then as of November 2025.

Products and Services

Infobase's print publications encompass a range of materials, including , atlases, and annual almanacs, designed primarily for educational and use. The company's core print lines feature comprehensive such as the Encyclopedia of World History, a multi-volume set covering ancient to modern eras with detailed timelines, maps, and biographical entries, and the Encyclopedia of American History, which spans 11 volumes and has been recognized as an RUSA/ALA "Outstanding Source" for its authoritative coverage of U.S. events and figures. Atlases like the Atlas of American History provide visual and narrative explorations of and historical developments, with hardcover editions supporting classroom and research needs. Yearbooks, notably , have been published annually since under Infobase's Facts On File imprint, compiling key statistics, current events, and facts, with more than 83 million copies sold as America's top-selling book. Specialized series further diversify Infobase's print offerings, targeting career and health education. The Ferguson imprint produces career guides such as the Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, now in its 18th edition across six volumes, offering in-depth profiles of professions, job outlooks, and resume-building resources, described as the most comprehensive career reference in print. Similarly, Omnigraphics' Health Reference Series includes print volumes on syndromes, symptoms, and disorders, such as detailed guides to genetic conditions and preventive care, providing accessible medical information for patients, caregivers, and educators. In literary studies, the Bloom's Modern Critical Views series delivers analytical essays on authors like Charles Dickens and Sylvia Plath, with updated hardcover editions fostering critical thinking in literature curricula. These publications are distributed mainly through and vendors, emphasizing alignment in , , and to support educators and researchers. Selections from Infobase's print references have earned accolades, including ALA's recognition for outstanding sources, underscoring their reliability in academic settings. While Infobase has shifted emphasis toward digital formats in the , core print references like remain actively produced, with some titles adapted into online databases for broader accessibility.

Digital Databases and Multimedia Content

Infobase's digital databases provide comprehensive, searchable repositories tailored for and analysis. Credo Reference aggregates content from hundreds of leading reference publishers, offering full-text encyclopedias and reference materials across multidisciplinary topics to serve as a foundational tool for building research and skills. Polling the Nations compiles over 750,000 global poll questions from more than 1,000 polling organizations, supporting nonpartisan data analysis for in , , and current events. The History Research Center integrates primary sources, scholarly articles, and from six specialized databases, covering U.S. and world to foster information literacy and informed inquiry. Complementing these databases, Infobase's collections encompass thousands of curriculum-aligned titles in key areas such as STEM, , and , enabling 24/7 access for research and skill-building. These feature searchable text and are designed for diverse learners, including higher education students and K-12 audiences, with content drawn from trusted scholarly sources to support academic and professional growth. Infobase's multimedia offerings emphasize video-based learning through Films On Demand, a platform originating from the acquired Films Media Group, which delivers over 40,000 educational videos across more than 700 topics. These include documentaries and instructional clips in sciences, , , and , often paired with transcripts, captions, and topic-specific curation to enhance visual and contextual understanding. As of 2024, new series on and in the age of AI have been added. Within databases like the History Research Center, interactive timelines and maps further enrich this content by providing dynamic visualizations of historical events and geographical contexts. Access to these digital databases and multimedia resources operates on subscription-based models for institutions, including K-12 schools, academic libraries, and public systems, with seamless integration into learning management systems such as via LTI standards. The platforms ensure mobile compatibility for on-demand use and comply with WCAG 2.0 accessibility guidelines to support diverse user needs.

Educational Platforms and Tools

Infobase offers a suite of integrated educational platforms and tools designed to support teaching, , and skill-building for K-12 educators, higher education professionals, and corporate learners. These solutions emphasize interactive , customizable content, and assessment features to facilitate instruction in diverse settings, including classrooms, libraries, and remote environments. Learn360 serves as a comprehensive K-12 multimedia hub, providing access to over 144,000 assets such as curated videos, audio recordings, interactives, printables, and games from more than 600 trusted producers. It includes quizzes embedded within videos to assess student engagement and learning gaps, along with educator guides and tools for creating customizable playlists and topic centers aligned with standards like and the C3 Framework for . These features enable teachers to organize projects, connect content to current events, and support remote or hybrid learning by embedding resources into learning management systems like , as demonstrated in implementations at districts such as Colorado Springs School District 11. In 2025, Learn360 was named an EdTech Cool Tool Award winner. The Infobase Learning Cloud, formerly known as Hoonuit, delivers on-demand training videos and modules for educators and staff, featuring over 50,000 short tutorials on software, , and pedagogical skills. It supports customizable curricula through self-paced modules and assessments that track mastery, with tools for creating paths suitable for classroom instruction, library programs, and corporate upskilling. Updates in the 2020s, including a 2022 enhancement, introduced improved course combination and integration to foster among educators via shared resources and analytics for progress monitoring. Complementing these platforms, the Mailbox series provides print and digital s for grades PreK-6, encompassing over 54,000 standards-aligned resources including worksheets, activities, crafts, and a builder for math and skills. This tool offers customizable curricula with introductory activities, guided practice, and independent exercises, targeted at instruction and aligned with State Standards to enhance core subject engagement. For career readiness, Vault integrates modules with resume-building tools, interview preparation resources, and personalized mentoring to help students and professionals explore industries, connect with employers, and develop job-ready skills. These features support higher education and corporate applications, including virtual events and insider guides for resume customization and interview simulations, often used in career programs. Firsthand, integrated with Vault, extends this through a career engagement platform that facilitates alumni mentoring and virtual fairs, aiding educators in guiding student transitions to the workforce. Post-2020 adaptations across these tools have emphasized support for remote and hybrid learning, with features like streamable videos and asynchronous modules enabling flexible access during the shift to virtual environments. Innovations in the include adaptive elements such as paths in the Learning Cloud and collaborative playlist sharing in Learn360, enhancing educator for targeted instruction without relying solely on underlying multimedia databases.

Imprints and Brands

Core Imprints

Infobase's core imprints form the foundational pillars of its publishing identity, originating from its early years and emphasizing authoritative reference materials for educational and library use. These imprints have evolved to integrate print traditions with digital accessibility, supporting curriculum needs across K-12, academic, and public sectors. Facts On File, established in as Infobase's flagship imprint, specializes in general reference books covering , , , , and current events. Over nearly 80 years, it has provided curriculum-aligned resources, including encyclopedias, atlases, and databases that foster research and skills. Recognized as award-winning for its authoritative content, Facts On File titles have earned accolades such as the EDDIE Awards for educational digital resources derived from its collections. Chelsea House, a longstanding imprint with over 40 years of history, focuses on curriculum-based for middle and high school audiences, including biographies, , , and topics. It produces engaging, visually rich books and eBooks designed for supplemental reading and in-depth research, often featuring series on historical figures and cultural issues. Chelsea House resources are frequently cited as award-winning, contributing to collections that have received EDDIE Awards for excellence in educational eBooks. Bloom’s Literature, formerly known as and spanning over 50 years, offers in-depth literary analysis through author studies, thematic guides, and critical essays curated by scholar . It chronicles the Western literary tradition with multimedia resources, including overviews, biographies, and full-text poems, making it essential for high school and literature curricula. This imprint's contributions are highlighted in award-winning collections, underscoring its impact on literary . Each core imprint upholds editorial standards rooted in its heritage while adapting to Infobase's digital strategy, ensuring content availability in eBooks, databases, and streaming formats without compromising independence in subject expertise.

Acquired Brands and Integration

Infobase has strategically acquired several specialized brands to bolster its educational offerings, integrating their content and expertise into its broader . One key acquisition was Ferguson Publishing in 2003, a company with roots in career dating back to the , known for producing comprehensive guides on occupations, industries, and vocational . Following the acquisition, Ferguson's resources were digitized and incorporated into Infobase's career-focused , enhancing tools for students and professionals seeking job market insights and skill development. In 2007, Infobase acquired Films Media Group (FMG), a prominent and of educational videos established in , which had built a vast library of documentary and instructional content for classrooms and libraries. This integration transformed FMG's holdings into the backbone of Infobase's streaming services, such as Films On Demand, providing over 40,000 video titles aligned with standards and accessible via subscription platforms. The 2021 acquisition of Firsthand, which included the career platform Vault—founded in 1997 to offer employer reviews, salary data, and industry rankings—introduced interactive career exploration tools to Infobase's portfolio. Vault's content was merged with Infobase's existing resources, enabling features like personalized career pathing and alumni networking within unified digital hubs, thereby expanding support for higher education and workforce readiness. Infobase further strengthened its K-8 educational resources through the 2017 purchase of The Education Center, publisher of The Mailbox magazine since 1977, renowned for printable lesson plans, worksheets, and seasonal teaching materials. Post-acquisition, The Mailbox's assets were rebranded and digitized for online access, integrating seamlessly with Infobase's teacher tools to streamline lesson planning and classroom engagement. To address professional development needs, Infobase acquired Hoonuit's training platform in 2020, incorporating hundreds of on-demand courses focused on and that Hoonuit had developed since 2005. This content was rebranded as Infobase Learning Cloud, completing a full suite of educator solutions by combining Hoonuit's delivery system with Infobase's multimedia libraries for targeted skill-building. In 2022, Infobase acquired Omnigraphics, a publisher specializing in reference books and directories since , known for comprehensive resources on diseases, disabilities, and medical conditions. The acquisition expanded Infobase's editorial capabilities in content, with Omnigraphics' titles digitized and integrated into Infobase's databases and collections to support educators, librarians, and researchers in addressing topics. The integration of these acquired brands typically involves under the Infobase umbrella, comprehensive of legacy print and media assets, and across platforms to maximize . For instance, Ferguson's career guides now feed into interactive databases, while Films Media Group's videos enhance video-on-demand services with searchable transcripts. Synergies emerge through content fusion, such as Vault's industry data supporting career modules in broader research tools, fostering a cohesive ecosystem for . These acquisitions have notably expanded Infobase's market presence, particularly in educational video following the 2007 Films Media Group deal, which solidified its leadership in multimedia content delivery, and in professional training via the 2020 Hoonuit integration, which broadened offerings for K-12 and higher education staff development.

References

  1. https://infobase.com/contact/
  2. https://infobase.com/about/
  3. https://ffusa.infobase.com/AboutUs.aspx
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  11. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infobase-announces-investment-by-northlane-capital-partners-301568102.html
  12. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/infobase-appoints-william-rieders-ceo-130300435.html
  13. https://infobase.com/
  14. https://infobase.com/k12/
  15. https://www.mcls.org/eresources-products/vendors/infobase/
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  22. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/facts-on-file-buys-chelsea-house-forms-new-company
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  24. https://infobase.com/news/infobase-publishing-announces-acquisition-of-films-media-group/
  25. https://librarytechnology.org/pr/26690/infobase-publishing-acquires-world-almanac-brand
  26. https://infobase.com/news/infobase-announces-acquisition-of-learn360/
  27. https://infobase.com/news/infobase-announces-acquisition-of-the-mailbox/
  28. https://infobase.com/news/infobase-announces-acquisition-of-credo-reference-limited/
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  30. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infobase-announces-acquisition-of-firsthand-alumni-engagement-and-mentoring-platform-301206567.html
  31. https://infobase.com/news/infobase-acquires-omnigraphics-expanding-portfolio-of-critical-health-reference-content-for-educators-and-librarians/
  32. https://ebooks.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=17221&ISBN=9781438127446
  33. https://infobasepublishing.com/Booklist.aspx?Subject=Geography%2B%2526%2BCulture&SubCat=General&Grade=Academic&Imprint=&Series=&Filter=Subject&Ebooks=0&Booktype2=&Booktype=
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  36. https://omnigraphics.com/shop/category/health-reference-library-print/
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  54. https://miamioh.edu/it-services/news/2021/03/infobase-learning-cloud.html
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  57. https://themailboxecomm.aws.infobase.com/shop/epackets/informational-text-main-topic-and-details-TEC32010
  58. https://infobase.com/solution/vault/
  59. https://infobase.com/news/vault-and-firsthand-combine-platforms-to-offer-personalized-career-discovery-and-engagement-powered-by-first-hand-perspectives/
  60. https://infobase.com/news/vault-firsthand-acquires-leading-virtual-event-platform-careereco/
  61. https://infobase.com/blog/infobase-learning-cloud/integrating-microlearning-assets-into-your-instructional-design-using-the-addie-model/
  62. https://infobase.com/news/facts-on-file-marks-its-70th-anniversary-of-serving-the-school-and-library-community/
  63. https://infobase.com/news/american-history-online-and-middle-high-school-ebook-collection-win-2015-eddie-award/
  64. https://infobase.com/product/middle-high-school-ebook-collection/
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