The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc. (RLPG) announced today that it has acquired the publishing division of Government Institutes from ABS Consulting. The acquisition continues RLPG’s strong growth and diversification. Government Institutes is a leading provider of U.S. Government regulatory information, including commentary, reference books, textbooks, and guides. It is particularly strong in the areas of environment, health, safety, food and drug, and more recently, homeland security. GI’s electronic products include its Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), Food and Drug, and Shipping regulatory monitoring services, available online and on CD-ROM. GI also distributes the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs). ABS Consulting was represented in the transaction by Whitestone Communications.
Jed Lyons, President and CEO of Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc. noted “We have long published professional books and reference books, and tools for understanding government information. We have served the corporate and professional markets through our longstanding relationship with special libraries. GI enhances our presence in these areas.” Government Institutes publications are also widely held by academic and public libraries.
Founded in 1973 in Rockville, MD, Government Institutes achieved early success with its Environmental Law Handbook. Now in its 17th edition, the Environmental Law Handbook has become a standard reference work in the field and is used extensively as a college and law school textbook. As Lyons noted, “RLPG’s college textbook business has grown significantly in recent years and this acquisition adds some very solid titles.”
Edward Kurdyla, Vice President and Publisher of RLPG’s Scarecrow Press, Inc. under which Government Institutes will reside, said, “One of the qualities that most impressed us about Government Institutes is its outstanding roster of authors, including several of the most respected attorneys and law firms in the country as well as top engineers and other professionals in the regulatory areas.”
Government Institutes will retain its own imprint and identity and will continue to use the ISBN prefixes 0-86587 and 1-59191. Operations have been transferred to RLPG’s offices in Lanham, MD, and Blue Ridge Summit, PA. Orders for Government Institutes books should be directed to the Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc. service and distribution center at 15200 NBN Way, Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, 17214, or by phone (800) 462-6420, or by fax at (800) 338-4550.
Government Institutes returns should be directed to: The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc., Building B – Returns Dept., 15200 NBN Way, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214.
