ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 17, 2007 - ProQuest CSA is partnering with The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) to make key state and local newspapers available throughout the state beginning July 1, 2007. All residents of the Commonwealth and member libraries of the six Massachusetts Regional Library Systems (Boston, Central, Metrowest, Northeast, Southeastern and Western) will have access to these online resources.

"We envision broad uses of the new Massachusetts newspaper collection," said Rod Gauvin, senior vice president for ProQuest CSA.  "Scholars can use it as a source of primary research across multiple disciplines.  In the public library setting, it's expected to be a sought-after resource for genealogical and local historical research.   In schools, it provides an intuitive, convenient way to address the increased emphasis on the use of primary resource documents in the teaching of American history."

ProQuest CSA will be providing a suite of full text newspapers, called Massachusetts Newsstand, that includes the Boston Globe (1980+), Boston Herald (1991+), Worcester Telegram & Gazette (1989+), The Berkshire Eagle ((2005+), The Patriot Ledger (Quincy) (1991+) and seven other local papers from across the Commonwealth.  The newspapers are cross-searchable on the award winning ProQuest® platform.

The contract between ProQuest CSA and the MBLC will run for two years and can be renewed for up to five years,, and was the result of a rigorous procurement process. Multiple opportunities for input and evaluation with library staff from the regions, automated resource sharing networks, and Massachusetts librarians representing all types of libraries had the opportunity to conduct online trials and evaluate the products.

Providing more local, regional, and national content is part of the ProQuest CSA strategy to create a total newspaper solution for libraries, serving all their news needs through a single source. ProQuest CSA is the exclusive provider of the highly regarded ProQuest Historical Newspapers that contains14 million digital pages of archives of major U.S. dailies, including The Boston Globe (1872-1923) and The New York Times (1851-2003).  Its extensive current collection includes more than 450 full-text newspapers from around the world.  ProQuest CSA's newspaper solutions also include such unique delivery systems as NewspaperDirect, which allows libraries to get direct access to more than 400 international and domestic dailies in full-page format. 

To learn more about ProQuest CSA's news and other products, visit on the Web at www.il.proquest.com or call 1-800-521-0600.

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.

 

About The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC)
The Board of Library Commissioners is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth.  The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation.  It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing networks.  It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.