After 244 years the Encyclopaedia Britannica is to go out of print. Started in Scotland in 1768, the encyclopedia will continue as a digital product but the volumes of bound books will become a thing of the past after remaining stock has been sold. “Today’s announcement is not about our past, but our future – and the new ways we’re serving our customers,” said Britannica President Jorge Cauz yesterday. He was at pains to paint the end of the print version as a success rather than a failure saying, “We have completed our transition from print publisher of the Encyclopaedia Britannica to a digital provider of knowledge and e-learning solutions.”

He said the end of print does not mean the end of the company's core mission. “That mission is to be a reliable, up-to-date, and scholarly source of knowledge and learning for the general public, and I believe that 200 years from now, this mission will continue to be vital and relevant.” The point that printed versions are out of date as soon as they are printed was made and contrasted with the potential to constantly upgrade online resources.

Encyclopaedia Britannica is now based in Chicago, USA. The move to digital media is not new. The company has produced digital versions since the 90s, which have been a growing part of the business as demand for print versions has declined. Sales of the 32-volume printed version in recent years were described as “negligible.”

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com