PARIS, FRANCE - April 14, 1999 - Only days after winning one of France's largest and most prestigious libraries, Best-Seller has announced another major success in the French Library market. The City of Montpellier Library Network has chosen Best-Seller's web-based PortFolio software to manage its multi-branch network of libraries, audiovisual centers and bookmobiles. With a collection of 750,000 items of books, periodicals, CD-ROMS, audio tapes, audiovideo tapes, etc., and serving over 40,000 patrons, the City of Montpellier's new automated library system will be completely integrated allowing patrons to access materials from all 10 branches or access points.
In addition, the Montpellier Library network has a regional vocation and boasts a collection of over 10,000 special materials pertaining to the Languedoc region of France. Users throughout the region will access the library network via the Internet while library users will access the Internet via specialised workstations at all the branches.
Todd A. Joron, Best-Seller's President and CEO says, «Best-Seller's new products developed for the Web are a winning combination. French libraries are embracing the new technologies like never before and our solid track record proves that we can handle from the small documentation centers to the multi-branch library networks like Montpellier. » Best-Seller is currently implementing the new software for full operation by the end of 1999.
This recent contract, estimated at $300,000, represents another important success for the software company who, since opening their European headquarters in Paris in 1998, have added the City of Lyon and BPI to their existing European client base. With a strategic competitor acquisition in France in April 1998, the company continues to create a strong foothold in France.
Established in 1986, Best-Seller is a leading supplier of Year 2000 compliant library automation software and services in North America and Europe. With over 110 sites, Best-Seller's distinguished clients include the City of Montreal (Canada), the Department of National Defence (Canada), the Supreme Court of Canada, Statistics Canada, the Exploratorium (USA), the French Institute (USA), MapQuest.com (USA), City of Grenoble (France), National Library of Monaco, Toulon Municipal Library and Vincennes Municipal Library (France).
For more information, please contact Normand Cardella, Manager - Communications and Business Development Support at (514) 337-3000, extension 287.
