ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 28, 2004 - ProQuest Information and Learning will distribute NewspaperDirect newspaper products in the library and education markets. NewspaperDirect currently distributes more than 240 same-day newspaper titles, in more than 70 countries and in more than 30 different languages worldwide through a global print-on-demand network. ProQuest Information and Learning, a unit of ProQuest Company, creates and publishes databases for libraries and educational institutions worldwide.

NewspaperDirect is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  Until now, it has concentrated on reaching newspaper readers when they travel, though hotels, retail, and even aboard cruise ships. It employs two delivery formats:  Print-on-Demand and the newly released PressDisplay electronic daily newspapers.

The daily Print-on-Demand newspaper service offers more than 240 titles (35 from the U.S., the remainder international) that can be printed on 11"X17" paper in black & white.  NewspaperDirect assembles efeeds from its publishers overnight and enables a library to automatically download and print selected editions at copy stations within the library.  With this service, libraries can select the number of copies and titles they desire to print and make available in their reading rooms.  The print-on-demand product integrates with a library’s digital printer or copier via NewspaperDirect's PrintStation software.  Print-on-Demand will be available exclusively from ProQuest in the North American library and education markets, except for existing license agreements.

PressDisplay offers more than 180 titles from around the world in their original format for viewing using a standard web browser. The digital daily newspaper collection is keyword searchable, has unique, easy-to-use browsing and navigation tools, and provides limited back-issue viewing.  PressDisplay will be available exclusively from ProQuest in the North American library and education markets.

"By offering NewspaperDirect for libraries, ProQuest will break new ground in handling and managing newspaper print content.  As library budgets have tightened in the past few years, libraries have increasingly turned to reducing their costs associated with providing print subscription copies of newspapers. NewspaperDirect transforms and improves the library's operation," said Rod Gauvin, ProQuest senior vice president, marketing and publishing.

The NewspaperDirect program offers several advantages over existing newspaper delivery methods for libraries:

• Immediacy - the desired newspaper is available at once rather than waiting for postal services to deliver the publisher's newspaper copy several days later
• Additional titles - NewspaperDirect can instantly supply more than 240 titles to a library's current catalog
• Cost savings - the print on demand version typically costs 30-50% less than the publishers' annual print subscription prices

"We are excited about partnering with ProQuest to enable our products to better reach the library market. Our Print-on-Demand and PressDisplay products have had great initial response, and now with ProQuest's extensive distribution and support capabilities, we believe our service will become a standard at libraries everywhere. This will provide library patrons with more effective access to same-day newspapers than ever before," said Richard K. Miller, NewspaperDirect Vice President, Sales and Marketing.

Free trials for the electronic newspapers via PressDisplay are available. Libraries may receive more information by contacting their account representative at 1-800-521-0600, ext. 3183 or 3452 (outside the U.S., call +44-1-223-215-512) or pqsales@il.proquest.com. Editors may call 1-800-521-0600, ext. 6489 or email pr@il.proquest.com.

 

About NewspaperDirect

Founded in 1999, NewspaperDirect is the world leader in digital delivery and local printing of same-day newspapers from around the world. With over 240 newspaper titles, and a global network of over 375 print locations in more than 70 countries, NewspaperDirect delivers to hotels, libraries, cruise ships, corporate offices, retail outlets, home subscribers and web browsers everywhere. Over the last five years, the company has grown globally by establishing a partner network with 52 licensed partners operating on six continents. NewspaperDirect also provides internet users with direct access to their favorite newspaper online through PressDisplay.com, which leverages the company’s extensive content base and leading edge technology.  For more information, visit www.newspaperdirect.com.

 

About ProQuest
ProQuest creates specialized information resources and technologies that propel successful research, discovery, and lifelong learning. A global leader in serving libraries of all types, ProQuest offers the expertise of such respected brands as Chadwyck-Healey™, UMI®, SIRS®, and eLibrary®. With Serials Solutions®, Ulrich's™, RefWorks®, COS™, Dialog® and now Bowker® part of the ProQuest brand family, the company supports the breadth of the information community with innovative discovery solutions that power the business of books and the best in research experience.

More than a content provider or aggregator, ProQuest is an information partner, creating indispensable research solutions that connect people and information. Through innovative, user-centered discovery technology, ProQuest offers billions of pages of global content that includes historical newspapers, dissertations, and uniquely relevant resources for researchers of any age and sophistication—including content not likely to be digitized by others. Inspired by its customers and their end users, ProQuest is working toward a future that blends information accessibility with community to further enhance learning and encourage lifelong enrichment.

For more information, visit www.proquest.com or the ProQuest parent company website, www.cambridgeinformationgroup.com.