ANN ARBOR, Mich., September 13, 2006 - ProQuest Information and Learning, exclusive distributor of NewspaperDirect products to libraries in North America, announces the launch of PressDisplay 3.0. The latest version of PressDisplay adds features and functionality - including cross-searching of the entire archive of titles - to the collection of more than 300 titles in the online newspaper collection.

Version 3.0 offers the following new features:

• Multi-title Searching—users can now search across all titles and the entire 60-day rolling archive.

• Front-Page News—the front page of the interface now offers categories such as Top News, Business, Sports, and the World in Pictures.

• Full-page printing for all titles—users can print page images, in addition to the text article-level printing already available in SmartNavigation titles.  SmartNavigation is NewspaperDirect’s method of displaying newspapers in an interactive format, allowing readers even greater functionality from their selected publication.

• Article Rank ─measures the interest or popularity of an article, which is determined by the length of time readers spend on that specific article and by the overall attention the article received from all users. Article Rank is continually updated to reflect the most current reading preferences as determined by PressDisplay readers.

• Related Articles are listed with SmartNavigation articles, so users can read additional articles on similar topics.

• Sound Integration—now readers can listen to an audio version of an article, while simultaneously reading other newspapers or articles or using other applications.  Readers simply choose the article they wish to listen to, select the speaker icon, and hear it in Windows Media Player.   In many cases, when using the language translation tool readers can listen to articles in the language they have chosen.

• Language Translation of Articles – Smart Navigation titles allow users to translate articles into numerous languages.

• Library Administration Tool ─ Library staff can now control the content that appears on the front page of PressDisplay 3.0 through the use of the new library administration tool.  Administrators also can pull usage reports from this tool. 

• My Newspapers—library staff can customize a page to display the newspapers their patrons use most.

• RSS feeds for SmartNavigation titles

• Personal Blogging—Users can post links to full newspapers, articles, thumbnail images, and commentary directly to their personal blog without leaving PressDisplay. PressDisplay currently supports Blogger, LiveJournal, WordPress and MSN Spaces and other major blogging systems. 

“PressDisplay is an ideal way for libraries to expand their virtual services and newspaper holdings,” said Rod Gauvin, senior vice president of ProQuest Information and Learning.  “PressDisplay enables libraries to respond instantly to patron need by delivering the value of same-day news from around the world.  The new display, navigation tools, and functionality have further improved the reading experience.”

PressDisplay provides online access to today's newspapers from more than 60 countries around the world in over 35 languages in a full-color, full-page format. The ever-expanding collection currently includes more than 300 titles. Just like reading the familiar print edition, viewers can browse articles and other key content, such as pictures, advertisements, classifieds, and notices. The service also provides a 60-day backfile and the ability to perform keyword searches across all titles and the entire archive.

About NewspaperDirect
Founded in 1999, NewspaperDirect, based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is the world leader in digital delivery and local printing of same-day newspapers from around the world. With some 400 newspaper titles, and a global network of over 800 print locations in more than 85 countries, NewspaperDirect delivers to hotels, libraries, cruise ships, corporate offices, retail outlets, home subscribers and web browsers everywhere.

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.cig.com.