ANN ARBOR, Mich., August 28, 2006 - The Library of Virginia is partnering with ProQuest Information and Learning on the digitization of historically significant newspapers.  The Library is one of six pilot sites to receive funds from the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP - http://www.neh.gov/projects/ndnp.html and http://www.loc.gov/ndnp ), a long-term effort by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress to develop an internet-based, searchable database of U.S. newspapers.  ProQuest is working with the Library of Virginia to digitize key titles covering the time period 1900-1910, including The Richmond Times-Dispatch.  In addition, the Library of Congress has chosen ProQuest as a partner to digitally convert 10 years of the New York Tribune to NDNP specifications for inclusion in the NDNP repository.

“ProQuest is proud to assist these renowned libraries in realizing the vision of the National Digital Newspaper Program,” said David "Skip" Prichard, president of ProQuest Information and Learning.  “ProQuest combines the best platform and services available with a nuanced understanding of libraries and patrons, to deliver accurate, searchable, smart content.  We invite other NDNP grant recipients to consider ProQuest as their partner of choice.” 

ProQuest developed its leading digitization capabilities through the creation of the world's largest digital newspaper archive, ProQuest Historical Newspapers^TM, encompassing the full runs of America's most notable newspapers totaling more than 14 million pages of  news, dating back to 1764.  ProQuest is working with the Library of Virginia to meet NDNP standards and to make these newspapers cross-searchable on the robust and well established ProQuest Historical Newspapers™ platform.

In addition, the Library of Congress will contribute to the NDNP program by digitizing the New York Tribune.  The Library of Congress has chosen ProQuest to digitally convert 10 years of the Tribune to NDNP specifications for inclusion in the NDNP repository.  The newspaper will be made available to the public as part of the Library of Congress digital collections.

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.