AOL Interactive Services, the Internet online services division of America Online Inc., signed a $4 million
research services agreement with Infonautics Inc. this week.
The deal makes Infonautics’ Electric Library service the exclusive provider of premium consumer and small business-oriented research services on AOL.
The Electric Library will be promoted through anchor spots on the main screens of AOL’s WorkPlace and Research & Learn Channels.
Under the two-year agreement, Infonautics will pay AOL $4 million and AOL will receive a share of revenues from the AOL-based Electric Library services.
Wayne, PA-based Infonautics will offer AOL members access to information from
its database of well-known publications and reference sources. These include
more than a thousand full-text newspapers and magazines; reference books;
transcripts from dozens of daily and weekly television and radio
programs; more than 50,000 photos and images; over 1,000 maps; book,
movie and software reviews; works of literature; and complete encyclopedias,
dictionaries and thesauruses.
Infonautics will offer AOL members a choice of two Electric Library services
to meet their specific research needs: the Personal Edition, the original
Electric Library service launched two years ago, offering unlimited access
at $9.95 per month or $59.95 per year; and the Business Edition, a new service to be introduced on AOL in the coming weeks. It offers
unlimited access for $14.95 per month or $99.95 per year.
The Business Edition will include specialized content focused on meeting
specifically targeted needs of small businesses and business users.
Infonautics’ research services are expected to be available on the AOL
service beginning in mid-April.