Credo Reference

Credo Reference is an American digital reference company whose services provide libraries and educational institutions with subscription access to a broad collection of reference materials. The company began in 1999 under the name Xrefer, initially offering free online access to several dozen reference works. Its early model was oriented toward making authoritative reference content easier to discover on the web. In 2002, Béla Hatvany, who had founded Computer Library Services and SilverPlatter, invested in Xrefer and supported its transition into a library-oriented online reference database business. The company established an office in Boston, Massachusetts, which later became its headquarters. Its business model centers on licensing digital versions of published reference works from multiple publishers and making them available through an online service that subscribing institutions can offer to their patrons. The customer base includes public and academic libraries, library systems, K–12 schools, and universities. These institutions use the service as a research and discovery resource for students, educators, librarians, and general patrons. In June 2007, Xrefer adopted the Credo Reference name. The rebranding accompanied a broader development of the company as a professional library-information provider rather than a free consumer reference website. That year, Credo also moved its English office from London to Oxford. Its collection has included general and subject-specific dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference titles. The reference corpus described in public materials comprises more than 3,500 full-text works from over 100 publishers, covering a range of major academic and general-interest subjects. A notable feature of the service is its use of internal linking between entries and works. This interconnected approach allows users to move from one reference article to related content in another work, supporting exploratory research and information discovery. A 2010 Library Journal review of general reference sources examined Credo alongside three comparable services and specifically noted this internal linking as a distinguishing feature. Beyond content access, Credo Reference has worked with libraries on information-literacy initiatives and on the development of library marketing plans and materials. This positions the company not only as a database supplier but also as a partner in helping libraries promote electronic resources and teach users how to evaluate and use information effectively. In 2018, Credo Reference was acquired by Infobase Publishing. The acquisition placed Credo within a larger education and information-content organization while preserving its identity as a reference-resource brand. Publicly available reference material does not provide a complete account of subsequent ownership structure, executive leadership, financial performance, or current product availability. Credo Reference is nevertheless identified as a provider of online reference content and library-oriented information-literacy services.

Credo Reference was established in 1999 as Xrefer. The original service provided free online access to several dozen reference works, reflecting the early development of web-based reference publishing and search. Rather than beginning solely as a conventional subscription database, Xrefer initially sought to make reference information broadly accessible through the internet. A significant change occurred in 2002, when Béla Hatvany invested in the company. Hatvany had previously founded Computer Library Services and SilverPlatter, businesses associated with library technology and electronic information delivery. His investment helped Xrefer move toward a library-focused commercial model based on subscriptions to an online reference database. This transition shifted the company from a primarily free-access reference site toward an institutional information service intended for libraries and educational organizations. Xrefer established an office in Boston, Massachusetts, which subsequently became its headquarters. The company also maintained an English office. In June 2007, it changed its name to Credo Reference, a rebranding that marked the development of a broader reference-content and library-services identity. At the same time, its England office moved from London to Oxford. Under the Credo Reference name, the company assembled a large digital collection of full-text reference publications licensed from many publishers. Public descriptions of the service identify more than 3,500 reference works from over 100 publishers, including general and specialized dictionaries and encyclopedias. The collection was designed for institutional users, with libraries, library systems, K–12 schools, and universities subscribing so that their patrons or students could use the materials. The platform's organization emphasized discovery across individual reference titles. Internal links connected information in one work to related material elsewhere in the collection, allowing users to follow subjects across dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference sources. This feature was noted in a 2010 Library Journal review that compared Credo with three other general reference services. Credo also developed services beyond the provision of licensed reference content. It partnered with libraries on information-literacy programs and helped institutions create library marketing plans and promotional materials. These activities supported libraries' efforts to teach research skills, increase awareness of electronic resources, and improve patron engagement. In 2018, Infobase Publishing acquired Credo Reference. The transaction represented the company’s integration into a larger education and information-content business. The available reference material does not establish a detailed post-acquisition corporate history, current executive roster, financial results, or a definitive account of all present products. The documented history nevertheless shows a progression from a free web reference project, through investment and institutional repositioning, to a subscription service for libraries and schools and ultimately an Infobase-owned reference brand.

• 2018

  Acquisition by Infobase Publishing

  [1]Credo Referenceen.wikipedia.org

  Infobase Publishing acquires Credo Reference.

• 2010

  Library Journal reviews the service

  [2]eReviews: General Reference Sources and Short Takeslibraryjournal.com

  Library Journal compares Credo Reference with other general reference services and notes the platform's cross-resource internal linking.

• 2007

  Xrefer adopts the Credo Reference name

  [1]Credo Referenceen.wikipedia.org

  The company rebrands as Credo Reference and moves its England office from London to Oxford.

• 2002

  Investment supports transition to a library database

  [1]Credo Referenceen.wikipedia.org

  Béla Hatvany invests in Xrefer and supports its shift toward an online reference database product for libraries.

• 1999

  Xrefer is founded

  [1]Credo Referenceen.wikipedia.org

  The company begins operations as Xrefer and initially offers free online access to several dozen reference works.

A library-focused digital reference provider combining licensed full-text reference works, cross-resource discovery, and support for information-literacy and library marketing programs.

• Online reference database

  Credo Reference online reference service

  Credo's principal offering is a subscription-based online service that gives institutional users access to a collection of full-text reference works. The collection has been described as containing more than 3,500 works from over 100 publishers, including general and subject dictionaries and encyclopedias. Its cross-resource linking supports browsing from one reference work to related content in another, making the service useful for both targeted lookup and exploratory research. Customers include libraries, library systems, K–12 schools, and universities, which provide access to their patrons, students, or other authorized users.

• Library and educational support

  Information-literacy programs

  Credo Reference has partnered with libraries to develop information-literacy programs. These activities extend beyond database licensing by helping institutions teach users how to find, assess, and use information. Public reference material identifies this as part of the company's library-facing service scope but does not provide a complete product catalog or detailed program specifications.

• Library marketing support

  Library marketing plans and materials

  The company has also worked with libraries to produce marketing plans and materials intended to promote library resources and improve awareness of electronic services. The offering reflects Credo's role as a library partner as well as a provider of licensed reference content. Available sources do not establish a separate branded product name or a complete description of current availability.

• 2018

  Acquisition by Infobase PublishingM&A

  Background

  Credo Reference operated as a provider of subscription reference content and library information-literacy services.

  Action taken

  Infobase Publishing acquired the company.

  Aftermath

  Credo Reference became part of Infobase Publishing's broader education and information-content portfolio. Public sources supplied here do not provide transaction terms or detailed post-acquisition operating changes.

  Source

• 2007

  Rebrand from Xrefer to Credo ReferenceStrategy

  Background

  The company had evolved from a free online reference project into a subscription database serving libraries and educational institutions.

  Action taken

  Xrefer adopted the Credo Reference name and relocated its England office from London to Oxford.

  Aftermath

  The rebrand established the Credo Reference identity used for the company's institutional reference and library-support activities.

  Source

• 2018

  Credo Reference acquired by Infobase Publishing[1]Credo Referenceen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Infobase Publishing acquired Credo Reference, bringing the online reference and information-literacy provider into Infobase's education and information-content portfolio.

• 2010

  Library Journal reviews Credo Reference and comparable general reference services[2]eReviews: General Reference Sources and Short Takeslibraryjournal.com

  Other

  A Library Journal review examined Credo Reference alongside three similar general reference services and highlighted the platform's links between content from different reference works.

1. 1Credo Referenceen.wikipedia.org
2. 2eReviews: General Reference Sources and Short Takeslibraryjournal.com