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Social sciences publisher strengthens ProQuest offerings for K-12
ANN ARBOR, MI, July 25, 2003 – ProQuest Information and Learning has acquired SIRS Publishing, Inc. (SIRS), the highly respected publisher of SIRS Researcher®, SIRS Discoverer®, SIRS Enduring IssuesTM and other databases. ProQuest Information and Learning, a unit of ProQuest Company, is a leading provider of online information services to libraries and educational institutions worldwide.
SIRS, based in Boca Raton , FL, provides online, CD-ROM and print reference databases to more than 50,000 libraries worldwide. SIRS' proprietary published products are designed to address curriculum-oriented, research-based information needs that arise as students study social problems, science, health, controversial current issues, legal issues, ethics and more. SIRS' databases place their editorial emphasis on balanced coverage of both current and enduring social topics.
"With the acquisition of SIRS, we have reinforced our commitment to provide a comprehensive catalog of high-value information to students using K-12 and public libraries," said Ron Klausner, president of ProQuest Information & Learning. "SIRS has a clear understanding of users’ needs for balanced information on all sides of current and enduring issues, and translates this understanding into effective products. We look forward to integrating these excellent products into ProQuest to continue to grow our business."
SIRS products are sold by subscription to libraries, school districts, and consortia worldwide. They are highly complementary to ProQuest's existing product suite of K-12 student resources. The acquisition enhances ProQuest's leadership in the K-12 library market and diversifies its offerings with strong topic-specific content. >SIRS products join the recently acquired bigchalkTM and eLibraryTM offerings to create a product suite that will provide ProQuest customers with a rich range of choices.
"ProQuest is elated and proud to welcome SIRS to our family of products created for student researchers. SIRS' editorial quality and 30-year history of excellence, service, and innovation will strengthen our publishing program. We look forward to bringing together resources that will create clear benefits for our customers and users," said Barbara Beach, Vice President, K-12 Publishing, ProQuest Information and Learning.
The acquisition was finalized on July 21, 2003. SIRS co-founder Eleanor Goldstein will remain with ProQuest as Founding Publisher, reporting to Barbara Beach. SIRS offices will remain in Boca Raton, Fla.
Libraries may receive more information by contacting their ProQuest 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 or contact SIRS Customer Service at 1-800-232-7477 (press "1") or custserv@sirs.com. Editors may call 1-800-521-0600, ext 6489 or email pr@il.proquest.com or media@sirs.com.
About SIRS Publishing, Inc.
With headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida , SIRS Publishing is a leading provider of online, CD-ROM and print reference databases to more than 50,000 libraries worldwide. SIRS is an acronym for Social Issues Resources Series and its proprietary published products have been designed to address curriculum-related, assignment-driven information needs that arise as students study social problems, controversies, legal issues, and ethics. SIRS Publishing products are sold by subscription to libraries, school districts, and consortia worldwide.
About ProQuest Company
ProQuest Company (NYSE:PQE) is based in Ann Arbor, Mich., and is a leading provider of value-added information and content to the library, classroom, automotive and powersports markets. We provide products and services to our customers through two business segments: Information & Learning and Business Solutions. Through our Information & Learning segment, which primarily serves the library and classroom markets, we aggregate and publish value-added content from a wide range of sources including newspapers, periodicals and books. Our Business Solutions segment is primarily engaged in the delivery in electronic form of comprehensive parts and service information to the automotive market. It also provides dealers in the powersports (motorcycle, marine, RV and outdoor power) markets with management systems that enable them to manage their inventory, customer service and other aspects of their businesses.
ProQuest Information and Learning is a world leader in collecting, organizing, and distributing information worldwide to researchers, faculty, and students in libraries and schools. Known widely for its strength in business and economics, general-reference, humanities, social sciences, and STM content, the company develops premium databases comprising periodicals, newspapers, dissertations, out-of-print books, and other scholarly information from more than 8,500 publishers worldwide. Users access the information through the ProQuest® Web-based online information system, Chadwyck-HealeyTM electronic and microform resources, UMI® microform and print reference products, eLibraryTM educational resources, and XanEduTM online faculty and student resources. For more information about ProQuest Information and Learning, visit www.il.proquest.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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SIRS Products
SIRS Knowledge Source® (SKS) is a comprehensive database portal which is comprised of several distinct reference databases including SIRS Researcher®, SIRS Government Reporter®, SIRS Renaissance® and SKS WebSelectTM with available links to SIRS Interactive Citizenship®, SIRS Discoverer® and Discoverer WebFindTM.
SIRS Researcher® is a general reference database containing thousands of full-text articles exploring social, scientific, health, historic, economic, political and global issues. Articles and graphics are carefully selected from 1,500 domestic and international publications according to strict criteria with regard to content and age appropriateness.
SIRS Government Reporter® delivers thousands of full-text documents and graphics concerning a wide variety of topics: health, science, economics, environment, politics, foreign affairs, business and industry.
SIRS Renaissance® - 'Current Perspectives on the Arts & Humanities', a reference database, provides dynamic information on Architecture & Design, Culture, Literature, Multimedia, Music, Performing Arts, Philosophy & Religion and Visual Arts.
SKS WebSelectTM(formerly SIRS NetSelect) is an online database of carefully selected, reliable and credible Internet resources on vital issues and topics. SIRS continuously updates WebSelect to include new sites originating from around the globe and continuously monitors each site to ensure quality and accessibility.
SIRS Discoverer® is an award-winning, general reference database for children in grades 1-9 which promotes research, reading, writing and computer skills. Full-text articles and images are carefully selected from 1,600 domestic and international publications.
Discoverer WebFindTM is an online database of carefully chosen, reliable and credible Internet resources on almost any subject appropriate for researchers in grades 1-9. Each site contains content from well-documented sources relevant for younger researchers.
SIRS Interactive Citizenship® is an online program that combines cutting-edge content with state-of-the-art technology, creating an educational resource that emphasizes reading, writing and critical thinking skills. Utilizing interactive books, which can stand-alone or supplement textbooks, it dynamically links to relevant Web sites, articles and documents on SIRS databases.
SIRS Enduring IssuesTM is an eight-volume, 32-topic reference set showcasing the best articles published during the preceding year. Available in a loose-leaf format for classroom and library use, Enduring Issues is an excellent research tool.
News Media Contact:
Constance Crump
Manager, Public Relations
ProQuest Information and Learning
1-800-521-0600, ext. 6489
734-761-4700, ext. 6489
pr@il.proquest.com |
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