A global ranking shows the growing importance of library technology in K-12 education. Infobase, an information literacy provider, secured a spot on TIME's World's Top EdTech Companies of 2026. This recognition comes as educators struggle to teach students how to evaluate complex online sources.
What Happened
On July 30, 2026, educational resource provider Infobase announced its inclusion in TIME's World's Top EdTech Companies of 2026. The global list, compiled in partnership with market research firm Statista, evaluated over 6,500 companies based on financial strength and industry impact before selecting the top 500. Infobase, which has supported schools and libraries for 85 years, ranked in the top half of the list. It is one of only two library-focused companies recognized, and the only one specifically organized around information literacy.
Infobase provides tools for schools and universities, including Facts on File, Learn360, and Credo Reference. Company CEO Bill Rieders said the technology aims to scale the expertise of school librarians. Rieders stated that digital tools can put the mastery of librarians within reach of every classroom, addressing a widespread lack of research skills in modern classrooms.
The Bigger Picture
The rise of online learning has changed what it means to be literate. A 2025 UNESCO factsheet shows that while basic reading and writing rates are rising globally, traditional metrics do not measure the digital skills required to succeed in a digital society.
Students who do not master these skills face long-term consequences. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), nearly one in three adults across major economies lacks foundational literacy or numeracy. This gap often leads to lower wages and worse health outcomes, making it harder to find work.
To address this, international organizations use broader definitions of literacy. The UNESCO Digital Competence Framework for Citizens 2.2 outlines seven dimensions of digital literacy, such as information processing and digital safety. Schools are adopting platforms to meet these standards. This shift matches other global efforts, including Rwanda designing localized EdTech and Belize expanding classroom technology to support basic instruction.
What This Means for Families
For parents and educators, the takeaway is clear. Children need more than basic phonics to succeed. They must learn "source literacy," which is the ability to evaluate whether an online publisher is credible.
School libraries historically taught these lessons, but staffing shortages mean librarians must work differently. Digital platforms are helping fill the gap. For instance, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) recently named its 2026 Best Digital Tools for Teaching & Learning. These tools, including platforms like Gale in Context: Elementary and research helpers like Sooth.fyi, allow teachers to bring library research methods directly into standard classroom lessons.
According to library integration reports from NoodleTools, tools like Sooth.fyi organize web results by publisher type, such as think tanks or government agencies, to help students analyze bias. Meanwhile, library automation engines like Monarch let students search ebooks and databases in one place, encouraging self-directed learning.
What You Can Do
Parents can support these efforts at home by teaching children to look for the origin of a claim. Curated search tools like Sooth.fyi show how different publishers present information. Parents can also ask school librarians for credentials to subscribed databases like Facts on File or Gale in Context rather than relying on basic web searches. Finally, supporting local library funding helps schools hire certified specialists who can use platforms like Monarch to teach research skills across all grade levels.