ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, July 7, 2005 -- ProQuest Information and Learning released today a unique new online resource for the study of the 20th century. SIRS Decades combines thousands of primary- and secondary-source documents in a student-friendly framework that provides immediacy without sacrificing context. ProQuest Information and Learning is an electronic publisher of content for libraries and educational institutions worldwide.

"SIRS Decades' format sets a new standard for the study of decades. We've placed primary and secondary sources into a curriculum-oriented framework that builds a relevant context for understanding, enriching the content and students' experience with the material," said Al DeSeta, president of K-12, ProQuest Information and Learning. "This collection brings together hard-to-find original material, making this an exceptional resource for understanding the 20th century."

SIRS Decades' organization--by decades and topics--correlates to typical K-12 coursework assignments as well as the scope and sequence of textbooks. Each decade features an overview essay, spotlighted images and a list of related topics. When students select a topic, they are guided to relevant historic documents. Each is accompanied by a summary that provides context and background. That framework helps students find information and then use it. SIRS Decades' colorful interface allows browsing by decade, topic and timeline. Search options include keyword, subject and advanced features for targeted research. Educator-written, document-based questions and "So What?" call-outs for every topic help students work with the sources and better understand the modern implications of historical events.

SIRS Decades includes more than 5,000 hand-selected articles, highlighting key events, movements, people and places in 20th Century America. Documents span a wide range of formats--letters and memos, editorial cartoons, illustrations, ads and articles--with some being released from the UMI vault for the first time in digital format. Streaming video and weblinks connect students to the 21st-century technology that brings full-text to life.

For more information about SIRS Decades or any ProQuest K-12 product visit on the Web at www.proquestk12.com or call 1.800.521.0600.

About ProQuest Information and Learning

ProQuest Information and Learning is a world leader in collecting, organizing, and publishing information worldwide for 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-Healey™ electronic and microform resources, UMI® microform and print reference products, eLibrary®, SIRS® and Voyager Expanded Learning educational resources, and XanEdu® online faculty and student resources. For more information about ProQuest Information and Learning, visit www.il.proquest.com.

ProQuest Information and Learning is a business unit of ProQuest Company (http://www.proquestcompany.com), which was recently named one of the top 100 fastest growing technology companies in the United States by Business 2.0 and one of the 200 best small companies by Forbes.