Posted Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Cooperation Agreement signed between the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) and UK’s Book Industry Communication (BIC)
In an effort to improve collaboration, communication and trading efficiencies between members of both organizations, the Executive Directors of the United States’ Book Industry Study Group (BISG) and the United Kingdom’s Book Industry Communication (BIC) signed a Cooperation Agreement Wednesday in New York City. Detailing their commitment to undertake a partnership in support of standards, research and best practice operations within the US and UK book industries, the Cooperation Agreement will build on the established interests of both organizations to combine efforts and further internationally accepted book industry standards.
Many of the challenges facing the book industry are common to both countries and successful cooperation and communication between the two is a fundamental concern of each, states the agreement.
“While there has been successful informal collaboration between BISG and BIC in the past, we definitely recognized the value and benefit of formalizing and defining this collaboration and exploring opportunities for improvement,” said Jeff Abraham, BISG Executive Director. “This Cooperation Agreement is the first step in doing so.”
Another critical driver for creating the Cooperation Agreement according to Brian Green, BIC Executive Director, was the recognized desire of members from both organizations to continue the joint development of interoperable standards and systems for the US and UK book industries. "We need to build on BISG and BIC's successful collaboration on the development of ONIX and other enabling standards,” said Mr. Green. “This agreement encapsulates our commitment to shared development of global standards.”
As the book industry becomes increasingly global, both Executive Directors say they see a definite need for international organizations such as BISG and BIC to share information and resources whenever and wherever possible. This is the best way, according to Mr. Abraham, to reduce costs, avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, and provide additional benefit for members of both organizations.
The Executive Directors of BISG and BIC will meet regularly in order to focus and review the status of their joint initiatives and projects.
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About the Book Industry Study Group, Inc.
The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) is the industry’s leading trade association for policy, standards, and research. Membership consists of publishers, manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, librarians, and others engaged in the business of print and electronic media. For over 25 years, BISG has provided a forum for all industry professionals to come together and efficiently address issues and concerns to advance the book community.
The member-driven organization uniquely represents all segments of our industry from publishers and e-publishers to paper manufacturers, libraries, authors, printers, wholesalers, retailers and e-tailers, as well as organizations concerned with the book community as a whole.
Learn more about BISG at www.bisg.org.
About Book Industry Communication
Book Industry Communication (BIC) is an independent organization sponsored and part-funded by the Publishers Association, the Booksellers Association, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, and the British Library to promote increased efficiency in the book and serials supply chain – physical and electronic – through the application of standard processes and procedures and e-commerce.
Maintaining and developing established standards is a major component of their work, but they are also tasked with identifying and evaluating developing technologies: whether technical solutions to the problems of physical handling and distribution, promoting standards for web-based e-commerce, or the management of content and rights in the digital environment.
Learn more about BIC at www.bic.org.uk.
Many of the challenges facing the book industry are common to both countries and successful cooperation and communication between the two is a fundamental concern of each, states the agreement.
“While there has been successful informal collaboration between BISG and BIC in the past, we definitely recognized the value and benefit of formalizing and defining this collaboration and exploring opportunities for improvement,” said Jeff Abraham, BISG Executive Director. “This Cooperation Agreement is the first step in doing so.”
Another critical driver for creating the Cooperation Agreement according to Brian Green, BIC Executive Director, was the recognized desire of members from both organizations to continue the joint development of interoperable standards and systems for the US and UK book industries. "We need to build on BISG and BIC's successful collaboration on the development of ONIX and other enabling standards,” said Mr. Green. “This agreement encapsulates our commitment to shared development of global standards.”
As the book industry becomes increasingly global, both Executive Directors say they see a definite need for international organizations such as BISG and BIC to share information and resources whenever and wherever possible. This is the best way, according to Mr. Abraham, to reduce costs, avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, and provide additional benefit for members of both organizations.
The Executive Directors of BISG and BIC will meet regularly in order to focus and review the status of their joint initiatives and projects.
###
About the Book Industry Study Group, Inc.
The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) is the industry’s leading trade association for policy, standards, and research. Membership consists of publishers, manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, librarians, and others engaged in the business of print and electronic media. For over 25 years, BISG has provided a forum for all industry professionals to come together and efficiently address issues and concerns to advance the book community.
The member-driven organization uniquely represents all segments of our industry from publishers and e-publishers to paper manufacturers, libraries, authors, printers, wholesalers, retailers and e-tailers, as well as organizations concerned with the book community as a whole.
Learn more about BISG at www.bisg.org.
About Book Industry Communication
Book Industry Communication (BIC) is an independent organization sponsored and part-funded by the Publishers Association, the Booksellers Association, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, and the British Library to promote increased efficiency in the book and serials supply chain – physical and electronic – through the application of standard processes and procedures and e-commerce.
Maintaining and developing established standards is a major component of their work, but they are also tasked with identifying and evaluating developing technologies: whether technical solutions to the problems of physical handling and distribution, promoting standards for web-based e-commerce, or the management of content and rights in the digital environment.
Learn more about BIC at www.bic.org.uk.