AUSTIN, TX and SCOTTSDALE, AZ, September 19, 1997 - Nichols Advanced Technologies Inc. and Scribe today announce Nichols' acquisition of the library automation business of Scribe, developers of the Media One and Innovation Plus library automation systems. As part of the acquisition, Nichols will take over technical support services for the Scribe user base effective December 1, 1997, and will work with customers to migrate them from Scribe's library automation systems to Nichols' award-winning Athena library automation system.

"Nichols is the ideal company for taking over Scribe's business," said Kurt Parks, president of Scribe. "Their award-winning products are among the best on the market. They have an excellent reputation for providing quality products, backed by a knowledgeable and experienced technical support staff. And their vision of the future - with an emphasis on Internet technologies - is ahead of everyone else's, in my mind. With Nichols, we know our customers are in good hands."

The acquisition will strengthen Nichols' position as one of the largest library automation providers in North America, with a customer base of over 4,000 libraries.

"This acquisition gives us greater visibility and allows us to assist Scribe users who are searching for a strong Windows-based library automation system with cross-platform capabilities, backed by the quality technical support we provide," said D. Bruce Butler, president of Nichols. "While we will continue to support Scribe users, we will make it easy for them to convert to our more powerful and user-friendly Athena system."

Athena is the best-selling library automation system for Windows. In the latest review of 36 library automation systems in Library Technology Reports (L.T.R.), published by the American Library Association (ALA), Athena was awarded the highest ratings in 10 of the 12 categories considered - and the highest ratings overall.

Austin, Texas-based Nichols Advanced Technologies, which has additional offices in La Crosse, WI and Edmonton, Alberta, provides powerful, easy-to-use library solutions for all major microcomputer systems. Founded in 1983, Nichols delivers library automation systems, retrospective conversion services, barcode readers, and automation supplies.