ABSTRACT
One of the first and prime uses of the internet is for finding information. The ability to search across an array of online material, tap into a variety of sources, follow links to further information and ultimately pinpoint exactly what is required has been one of the central features of the rise of the internet since its inception, with the additional benefit that much of it was and is available for free. The use of the internet for reference information therefore has challenged publishers of material which was costly and time consuming to collect, organise and distribute via print. Not only can users seek answers across large databases of information at the touch of a button but users are also involved, since the rise of Web 2.0, in the creation and maintenance of more and more reference material, such as on sites like Wikipedia. General reference publishers have found it a struggle to maintain their expensive
reference information even in database form, as information can readily be accessed for free; this free information may not be especially high quality but it is reasonable enough for the general user. Publishers of dictionaries and encyclopaedias, like Britannica, targeted at the general consumer have found it difficult to maintain anything like their
previous market share. There are still markets for dictionaries and encyclopaedias, particularly those with strong brand names and a long heritage of providing highquality information created and endorsed by experts. Nevertheless a significant part of their print market has migrated to use free online sources. These businesses have had to find models to help them survive; for example, they may decide to target more niche specialist markets or license information or simply manage around tighter margins. These consumer market titles will continue to face the challenge of offering something different from the free sources available via the internet. However, in this chapter we are focusing on reference within the professional arena
as an example of the way more specialised reference material has developed complex and now well-established digital business models. Prior to the growth of the internet, reference information was mostly available within published print sources: this might be freely distributed (such as government information) or, for something more specific, bought by individuals, libraries or companies. What characterises this sort of reference material is that it is used by specialists. This chapter will be focusing on the developments in legal information as an example of professional reference: in this area publishers are finding rapid migration to online information and in some notable cases have pared their print down to only a few high-profile titles while concentrating their efforts on developing online platforms. This sort of development can be seen in other areas of specialist professional reference material, in the provision of news services and in business to business publishing. The move online is of particular importance as the logic around what reference
material is means that the online environment provides a much more effective space for it; easy, fast searching through large silos of material, together with unlimited storage and ease of access are obvious benefits. In this sector more than some, therefore, print has been viewed as having a limited life cycle. Meanwhile the relationship between the publisher and user of content has become even more embedded and this relationship with the customer is driving the future opportunities within this sector.
