R. R. Bowker
Encyclopedia
R.R. Bowker, LLC provides information support for the publishing
industry in the United States. Bowker is the official U.S.
ISBN
Agency, the publisher of Books In Print and other compilations of information about book and periodical titles, and a provider of book industry supply chain
services and analytical tools.
, a German immigrant who worked as a bookseller
and recognized the need for good bibliographic information to make the book business more efficient. The monthly “Literary Bulletin,” his first periodical, was established by him in 1868. In 1870 Leypoldt issued the first edition of his Annual American Catalogue, a precursor to Books In Print. In 1872 he published the first issue of Publishers Weekly
, and in 1876 the first issue of Library Journal
. In 1878 Leypoldt's company was acquired by Richard Rogers Bowker
. Leypoldt and Bowker also founded such standard book-industry reference sources as Literary Marketplace and Ulrich's Periodicals Directory
.
In 1967, the Xerox Corporation acquired the R. R. Bowker company, and then sold it to Reed International (now Reed Elsevier
) in 1985. In 1985 Publishers Weeekly, after 113 years as a part of R.R. Bowker, was transferred to the Cahners Publishing Company. Bowker was acquired by its present parent company, Cambridge Information Group
, in 2001.
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
industry in the United States. Bowker is the official U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ISBN
International Standard Book Number
The International Standard Book Number is a unique numeric commercial book identifier based upon the 9-digit Standard Book Numbering code created by Gordon Foster, Emeritus Professor of Statistics at Trinity College, Dublin, for the booksellers and stationers W.H...
Agency, the publisher of Books In Print and other compilations of information about book and periodical titles, and a provider of book industry supply chain
Supply chain
A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. Supply chain activities transform natural resources, raw materials and components into a finished product that is delivered to...
services and analytical tools.
History
The company was founded by Frederick LeypoldtFrederick Leypoldt
Frederick Leypoldt was a bibliographer, the founder of an ancestor company of Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, Index Medicus and other publications.-Biography:...
, a German immigrant who worked as a bookseller
Bookselling
Bookselling is the commercial trading of books, the retail and distribution end of the publishing process. People who engage in bookselling are called booksellers or bookmen.-Bookstores today:...
and recognized the need for good bibliographic information to make the book business more efficient. The monthly “Literary Bulletin,” his first periodical, was established by him in 1868. In 1870 Leypoldt issued the first edition of his Annual American Catalogue, a precursor to Books In Print. In 1872 he published the first issue of Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
, and in 1876 the first issue of Library Journal
Library Journal
Library Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
. In 1878 Leypoldt's company was acquired by Richard Rogers Bowker
Richard Rogers Bowker
Richard Rogers Bowker was a journalist, editor of Publishers Weekly and Harper's Magazine, and founder of the R.R. Bowker Company.-Early life & Education:...
. Leypoldt and Bowker also founded such standard book-industry reference sources as Literary Marketplace and Ulrich's Periodicals Directory
Ulrich's Periodicals Directory
Ulrich's Periodicals Directory is the standard library directory and database providing information about popular and academic magazines, scientific journals, newspapers and other serial publications....
.
In 1967, the Xerox Corporation acquired the R. R. Bowker company, and then sold it to Reed International (now Reed Elsevier
Reed Elsevier
Reed Elsevier is a publisher and information provider operating in the science, medical, legal, risk and business sectors. It is listed on several of the world's major stock exchanges. It is a FTSE 100 and FT500 Global company...
) in 1985. In 1985 Publishers Weeekly, after 113 years as a part of R.R. Bowker, was transferred to the Cahners Publishing Company. Bowker was acquired by its present parent company, Cambridge Information Group
Cambridge Information Group
Cambridge Information Group is a privately owned group of information services and publishing companies and educational institutions. It was founded in 1971 by Robert N. Snyder and Philip E. Hixon and is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. As of 2007, CIG’s operating companies are ProQuest, R.R....
, in 2001.