St. Louis, Missouri, USA - Leading client/server library automation systems provider Data Research Associates, Inc. (DRA) (Nasdaq: DRAI) today announced an agreement with netLibrary, the leading provider of eBooks and Internet-based content management services, to integrate netLibrary eBooks into DRA's Classic and Taos library automation systems. The resulting integrated system will provide easy access to eBooks by both librarians and library patrons. Hundreds of academic, public, and school libraries around the world use DRA's library automation system software.
DRA and netLibrary are working together to integrate netLibrary eBooks into the acquisitions and OPAC modules of the two DRA systems through the use of communication protocols for the transfer of machine-readable catalog (MARC) records. The integrated systems will enable librarians using DRA's Classic and Taos systems, at their discretion, to quickly search, select, and acquire eBooks for their collections. Also through the integrated DRA systems, librarians will be able to purchase eBooks from netLibrary with the simplicity of transmitting an electronic purchase order.
In addition, library patrons will be able to search for eBooks purchased by their library directly from the library's DRA-furnished online public access catalog (OPAC). Library patrons will be able to search MARC records for eBooks in a library's OPAC by author, title, subject, and ISBN. eBooks found by patrons in the OPAC can be previewed or borrowed at the click of a mouse.
"We are pleased to be working with netLibrary, a company focused on serving the needs of librarians and empowering libraries in the digital age. By combining DRA's advanced library automation technology with netLibrary's eBook infrastructure, we will be able to introduce eBooks to our library customers in the platform they have become accustomed to using," said DRA CEO Mike Mellinger. "The benefits extend to library patrons, as well, as they will be able to borrow eBooks directly from their OPAC, any time of the day or night from any computer connected to the Internet."
netLibrary President and CEO Rob Kaufman added, "DRA's Classic and Taos library automation systems are windows to the people who matter most to netLibrary, librarians and library patrons. We are excited to be working with DRA to serve our mutual customers and make our eBook infrastructure available to members of the library community."
netLibrary (www.netLibrary.com) is the leading provider of eBooks and Internet-based content management services. Hundreds of publishers of academic, professional, reference, and scholarly books have adopted netLibrary's digital rights management infrastructure. netLibrary develops, archives, hosts, and securely distributes eBooks through a variety of channels, including academic, corporate, public, and school libraries. netLibrary eBooks are full-text searchable and available for use on personal computers in online and offline formats.
Data Research Associates, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, is a leading systems integrator for libraries and other information providers, offering its own proprietary information services software; third-party software and hardware; Internet, World Wide Web and other networking services; and other related support services.
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements as to anticipated or expected results, beliefs, opinions and future financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause DRA's actual results to differ materially. Specific risk factors for the statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to continue to enhance the Taos product; customer acceptance of that product; DRA's ability to meet installation schedules; and timing of negotiations for sites who have selected Taos but have not yet signed a contract. Some of these risk factors, as well as additional risk factors, are discussed in detail in DRA's Annual Report and in Exhibit 99-1 of its Form 10-K for fiscal year 1999. DRA does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
