A formidable alliance of prominent educational, library, museum and university publishing institutions has come together to launch Fathom.com, a for-profit Web site catering to a highly educated consumer market interested in broad, continuing learning for its own sake. The site will be supported by advertising and will offer a mix of free content, e-commerce (including the online sale of books, CD-ROMs and other products) and online courses from universities around the world.
Columbia University, the London School of Economics and Political Science, Cambridge University Press, the British Library, the New York Public Library and the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum have teamed up to support Fathom.com with a wide range of validated, branded content and an equally wide range of online courses. The site is slated to add still more as yet unnamed, educational and cultural institutions later this year. The site is aggregating an impressive array of free content to attract consumers who will be able to pursue free online information--and buy related products--on everything from ballet, literature, science and public policy to history, performing arts and much more.
Ann Kirschner, president and CEO of Fathom.com, told PW that although Cambridge University Press is Fathom's initial publishing partner, Columbia University Press and its various online projects will also be involved. "We'll be working with other publishers over time. Cambridge is important to us, because we're after a global audience." Kirschner also said that the company plans to work with a variety of online retailers to handle book and product sales. "We'll know exactly who in a few more weeks," she added. She declined to give a firm startup date. She also noted that decisions about accreditation and admission to online courses would be made by Fathom's university partners.
Kirschner emphasized that Fathom.com is not out to sell the latest Grisham novel. "We're after readers who want specialized books, journals and documents and, of course, courses. We're going to promote the scholarly books of faculty members as well as other knowledge products." Kirschner explained that the venture was "more than another distance-learning site. We are creating a vibrant 'main street' for knowledge and education."
Michael Holsworth, director of business development at Cambridge University Press, told PW that all CUP content will be branded. "Fathom.com will be classy and slightly elitist. We're after an audience that is interested in news, culture, research, academic stuff. People interested in deep, lifelong learning."
