ProQuest Celebrates National Library Week in the U.S. with Free Resources
ProQuest, an information firm central to research, is celebrating America’s National Library Week with a rich assortment of goodies for libraries and their patrons. Each day from April 8 through 14, the company will open some of its most popular databases found exclusively through library web sites and help librarians fine-tune their marketing with free access to promotional tools and demographic data on book lovers. Plus, the company is sponsoring a sweepstakes that can earn cash prizes for libraries. A trip to www.proquest.com/go/celebrate connects visitors with all the details.
"Libraries have a wealth of unique, online resources that address all sorts of questions challenging their communities. Whether people are building a family tree or completing a homework assignment, their library can help, and it's open 24/7 through any Internet connection," said Lynda James-Gilboe, ProQuest senior vice-president of marketing and customer care. "National Library Week is a perfect opportunity to take a look at the reliable information that's available online through the library."
ProQuest® databases for genealogy, history, general reference, and homework help will be open at www.proquest.com/go/celebrate. Among the resources are patron favorites such as ebrary’s Public Library and Schools Collections, ProQuest Historical Black Newspapers and Jewish Newspapers, CultureGrams, eLibrary, SIRS Issues Researcher, and SIRS Discoverer and Issues Researcher. All of the databases are filled with carefully selected content that passes ProQuest's high standards for quality and reliability. None include advertising.
Also during National Library Week, patrons can earn prizes of $250, $500 and even $1,000 for their libraries through ProQuest's Facebook page. To enter, users "Like" ProQuest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/proquest, then click the Sweepstakes tab, and fill out the entry form for a chance to win. ProQuest business unit Serials Solutions asked librarians to submit photos of their library in use and researchers in action. Each day during National Library Week, Serials Solutions will showcase a library in its blog, Words. Two winning submissions will be randomly selected on Friday, April 13th. Winners will be announced on Words and will receive an Apple iPod Nano.
For libraries eager to hone their marketing skills, ProQuest is opening access to the wealth of demographic data found in 2011 U.S. Book Consumer Demographics & Buying Behaviors Annual Review, from Bowker, an affiliated business of ProQuest, and Publishers Weekly. ProQuest continues its annual tradition of providing downloadable promotional tools. This year, the selections include a digital commercial promoting library services for inclusion on any library website.
All libraries are encouraged to add www.proquest.com/go/celebrate to their web sites during National Library Week.
About ProQuest's Commitment to Libraries
ProQuest's celebration of National Library Week is rooted in its longstanding support of libraries and librarianship. ProQuest's outreach and advocacy efforts extend deep into the library community. Among its varied programs are tools and services that help librarians connect with their communities, free database access and scholarship support for library students, and sponsorship of a range of awards that recognize outstanding library school educators and honor local efforts to protect intellectual freedom. In 2009, ProQuest initiated the Library Volunteer Program, which organized volunteer efforts to support Washtenaw County (MI) libraries and community groups. The Library Volunteer Program will kick off its fourth year this spring.
ProQuest is also a corporate member and premier partner to numerous library organizations including the American Library Association's short list of Library Champions and an active role in the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, as well as many others. Involvement with these organizations is part of ProQuest's commitment to the role of libraries as cornerstones of healthy, informed communities.
About ProQuest (www.proquest.com)
ProQuest connects people with vetted, reliable information. Key to serious research, the company has forged a 70-year reputation as a gateway to the world's knowledge — from dissertations to governmental and cultural archives to news, in all its forms. Its role is essential to libraries and other organizations whose missions depend on the delivery of complete, trustworthy information.
ProQuest's massive information pool is made accessible in research environments that accelerate productivity, empowering users to discover, create, and share knowledge.
An energetic, fast-growing organization, ProQuest includes the ProQuest®, Bowker®, Dialog®, ebrary®, and Serials Solutions® businesses and notable research tools such as the RefWorks®, and Pivot™ services, as well as its' Summon® web-scale discovery service. The company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with offices around the world.