ProQuest Strengthens Microfilm Manufacturing Prowess
ProQuest, who recently released the innovative web-based microfilm viewing service, Digital Microfilm™, has acquired assets related to the microfilming of newspapers, collections (such as groups of books, manuscripts and historical documents) and dissertations from National Archive Publishing Company (NAPC), formerly a key supplier of microfilm services to ProQuest. ProQuest expects to integrate the assets smoothly, providing full service to its customers who rely on microfilm as the definitive archive for preservation and storage of important historical documents.
“We’re committed to microfilm for the long-run and acquisition of this portion of NAPC’s assets was essential to maintain an important part of ProQuest’s business,” said Rod Gauvin, ProQuest senior vice-president of publishing. “Our focus is on continuing the service our customers expect. Microfilm is a familiar business to us; we executed this aspect of our business with precision and skill for nearly 70 years before we utilized NAPC.”
ProQuest has had a close working relationship with NAPC because of the latter’s commitment to and experience with superior microfilm manufacturing processes. NAPC was founded in 2005, when ProQuest sold its microfilm manufacturing operation to focus its efforts on digital information, which the company saw as a key growth area. While ProQuest digitization initiatives have indeed grown, the company remains committed to microfilm as the gold standard of preservation.
Microfilm is strongly valued for preservation of rare and archival materials. In fact, among archivists it is the only universally agreed-upon form of preservation because of its technology-neutral format, easy storage and immunity to alteration. In addition to its exceptional growth and innovation in the field of digital information, ProQuest continues to evolve microfilm technology. Its pioneering technology Digital Microfilm™ takes the medium to a new level of accessibility by enabling microfilm images to be viewed online, rather than just in the library.
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.