CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, February 20, 2006 - ProQuest Information and Learning has been selected to work with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) on their new initiative, Reference Online, offering England's 149 public library authorities discounted prices on online resources.

Working in association with the MLA, ProQuest is now able to offer preferential pricing to the nine pre-defined MLA regions on its two top-selling public library products; KnowUK the online UK reference library, and NewsUK the online newspaper database.

"ProQuest is delighted to be working with the MLA in this collaborative venture, widening access and reducing costs to ProQuest's two most popular public library resources, KnowUK and NewsUK,” says Terry Robinson, EMEA Sales Director, ProQuest. "We view this as a tremendous opportunity for the English public libraries which will benefit from the advantageous terms that are on offer."

Traditionally, public library managers have researched the details and negotiated the costs of online resources either individually or as small regional consortia. By undertaking this work on their behalf the MLA has been able to streamline the process for both library staff and content providers.

“In order for public libraries to streamline and improve services, collaboration is essential. This national offer, Reference Online is just one of the ways that MLA is supporting libraries in becoming better businesses and helping to transform libraries for the 21 st century. Making the most of this fantastic opportunity will free up the time of library staff and release funds that can be spent on stock procurement,” says MLA Chief Executive Chris Batt.

If you would like further product information please e-mail marketing@proquest.co.uk

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.