According to Blue Marble, the unique database-driven architecture of BeyondGeo allows map features to directly link to a corresponding database and display detailed information on that feature, which may include audio and video files. Using an intuitive, custom-built map composer, users can select from over 50 map layers (streets, water, landmarks, census data, etc.) to use separately or in combination with their own maps. Users can pan, zoom, navigate, and search anywhere within the map.

Source: Blue Marble Geographics, Gardiner, ME, 207/588-2184; http://www.bluemarblegeo.com.
 

ISI ResearchSoft Ships EndNote Version 5
ISI ResearchSoft has announced the release of an upgrade to EndNote, its bibliographic software that searches Internet libraries, organizes data, and produces bibliographies. According to the announcement, EndNote 5 achieves a new level of integration with Microsoft Word, adding Cite While You Write technology to locate citations and instantly format bibliographies. EndNote 5 also features a traveling reference library to allow collaboration between colleagues, a direct link to the ISI Web of Science, a spell-checker, and over 700 output styles.

The Cite While You Write feature lets EndNote locate and insert citations as well as produce bibliographies. According to the announcement, EndNote 5's new instant formatting delivers a finished bibliography as users cite references in the document, further streamlining the writing process. With EndNote's traveling library, documents contain complete reference data for all citations.

In addition, ISI Web of Science users can utilize a simple two-way connection between that product and EndNote 5, at no charge. Researchers can search the ISI Web of Science from EndNote 5 and drag and drop selected references to an EndNote library. EndNote 5 also maintains a link to the original reference in the ISI Web of Science. Users can even access the full text of references and link to other scholarly databases through ISI Links.

Source: ISI ResearchSoft, Berkeley, CA, 800/554-3049, 510/559-8592; http://www.isiresearchsoft.com.
 

Library Launches Internet Safety Web Site
With the help of local police departments and the North Suburban Library System, the Ela Area Public Library District in Wheeling, Illinois, has created a new Web site to raise public awareness about Internet safety.

The Web site, located at http://www.internet-safety.org, features an online question-and-answer section with experts on the police force. The site also offers tips on general Internet safety practices for all ages, online fraud awareness, protecting personal identity and information, security considerations to protect from hackers and computer viruses, as well as state and federal law relating to Internet safety, and sample investigations into Internet crime.

Ela obtained a $21,250 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant through the Illinois State Library to create the site.

Source: North Suburban Library System, Wheeling, IL, 847/459-1300; http://www.nslsilus.org.
 

H.W. Wilson Digitizes More Library Catalogs
H.W. Wilson has announced that with the release of Fiction Catalog and Public Library Catalog, the complete line of Wilson standard library catalogs is now available in digital format on WilsonWeb. Created with the input of librarians, each edition of Wilson Standard Catalogs is a guide to thousands of books and other items that deliver data for collection development and maintenance, weeding, selection and purchasing, reader's advisory, and general reference.

On WilsonWeb, Wilson Standard Catalogs offer fast searching by keyword, title, subject, publisher, author, publication year, ISBN, ISSN, Dewey Decimal Classification Number, and document type (books, book chapter, or CD-ROM). WilsonWeb versions also provide users with book review excerpts from Wilson's Book Review Digest database, the ability to instantly check library holdings (via a link to the library's OPAC), the option to retrieve records in MARC format, and simultaneous searching of multiple catalogs.

The Fiction Catalog, Electronic Edition highlights more than 7,000 established and contemporary works of fiction for adults written in (or translated into) English. Analytical entries are provided for composite works. The database reflects the content of the print resource Fiction Catalog, 14th edition (2001), and will incorporate each of the 14th edition's annual supplements as they are published in 2002, 2004, and 2005. Future print editions of Fiction Catalog will also be reflected in Fiction Catalog, Electronic Edition.

The Public Library Catalog, Electronic Edition provides entries for some 11,000 nonfiction and reference works (primarily books, but also electronic resources) for the public library. The database reflects the content of the print resource Public Library Catalog, 11th edition (1999) and its annual supplements. It will incorporate the content of new print editions as they are published.

Source: H.W. Wilson, New York, 800/367-6770, 718/588-8400; http://www.hwwilson.com.
 

Microsoft Unveils Its New Producer Tool
Microsoft Corp. has announced the release of Microsoft Producer, a tool that enables users to create, edit, and publish rich media presentations that combine the power of Windows Media audio and video, HTML, and PowerPoint.

Microsoft Producer is a companion tool for Office XP and is available for download (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia) as a technology preview for technical evaluators. The final release of Microsoft Producer is scheduled to be available for all Office XP users by the end of this year.

Users can now create external and internal digital media marketing communications, online training, on-demand organizationwide broadcasts, and published archives of live presentations. All of these can then be quickly published to intranet sites, the Internet, or a CD.

Source: Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, 425/882-8080; http://www.microsoft.com.
 

VFactO Unveils Patron Navigation Package
VFactO has announced a new electronic guidance and navigation system that helps keep visitors to large libraries and archives on the right track. VFactO's V.Find and V.Guide systems, which use touchscreen technology and wall-mounted plasma screens, are designed to direct people around any public or educational library.

The V.Find search and retrieve package allows documentation, products, or books to be easily tracked, even if they have to shift location regularly. This package can be fully customized and integrated into existing stock-management systems. Users can search for items within a vast area by means of a code or keyword description. Location maps can then be printed to direct the patron to the item's location. The software can be updated whenever the search subjects or the screens themselves change location, and the system can also be used to provide general information.

The V.Guide pointer guiding system is a simple way of displaying public address information within a busy library environment. Text, graphics, animation, video, TV, or Internet images can be flashed up on plasma screens and controlled using a flexible software system. The system can also handle sound. V.Guide can display up-to-the-minute information on everything from the time, date, and directions to scrolling news, public address announcements, and countdowns.

Source: VFactO, Lanark, Scotland, 011-44-1555-660500; Fax: 011-44-1555-660505; http://www.vfacto.com.
 

Company News

Thomson Corp. Is Set to Acquire NewsEdge
The Thomson Corp. has signed a definitive agreement under which Thomson will acquire NewsEdge. According to the press release, NewsEdge will be purchased by a newly formed Thomson subsidiary. NewsEdge is a provider of real-time news and information to approximately 1,500 corporations and professional firms worldwide.

According to the press release, Thomson says it plans to align NewsEdge with The Dialog Corporation. NewsEdge will continue to be run by its current management team. The deal is expected to be completed during the second half of this year.

Source: Thomson Corp., Stamford, CT, 203/969-8700; http://www.thomson.com.
 

MARC Link Has Bought Saztec Europe, Ltd.
MARC Link Retrospective Conversion has completed its acquisition of Saztec Europe, Ltd. MARC Link said the transaction will advance its efforts to be the premier retrospective conversion services provider in the U.K. and Europe.

Saztec has provided conversion services to libraries worldwide, primarily in the U.K. and Western Europe, from its offices in Scotland. MARC Link offers similar services, with additional capabilities in searching databases, scanning and linking images, and technical data processing.

Source: MARC Link Retrospective Conversion, Provo, UT, 800/288-1265; http://www.marclink.com.
 

Business Information

Quiver's QKS Classifier Is Now Available
Quiver, Inc., a provider of categorization software for enterprise and online content, has announced that the first product in the Quiver Knowledge Suite, QKS Classifier, is available.

QKS Classifier is a system for organizing valuable content into an intuitive directory of corporate knowledge. Unlike purely automated categorization solutions, Quiver's hybrid taxonomy platform tightly integrates advanced classification algorithms with an intuitive work flow and directory management tool set to capture human input and expertise. This combination yields a comprehensive and controllable system, according to Quiver. Each information manager has the ability to create or modify a custom taxonomy, choose appropriate training set examples to increase accuracy of content, and view and control what documents are being retrieved. Work flow memory eliminates redundant effort by remembering what actions the information manager last took relative to each document, and comparing the document to new dynamic content changes. If a small change occurs, then no additional human input is needed; the previous decisions are recalled and re-executed.

QKS Classifier is built in Java and is platform-independent. The product integrates easily with legacy applications such as content management systems, search engines, content feeds, and customer relationship management (CRM) applications.

QKS Classifier is currently available for purchase, with prices starting at $125,000 for the complete client/server platform. Pricing varies depending on the size of the taxonomy and the number of information manager seat licenses required.

Source: Quiver, Inc., San Francisco, 415/863-9945; http://www.quiver.com.
 

Factiva Offers New Content and Languages
Factiva and Knight Ridder Digital have announced an agreement that allows Factiva to include online content from 29 Knight Ridder newspapers as part of its global news and business information offering.

Through Knight Ridder Digital, full-text, daily publications from top media markets around the country, including San Jose/Silicon Valley, California; Miami; Philadelphia; Detroit; Fort Worth, Texas; and Kansas City, Missouri, as well as from state capitals and other important regional centers, will now be available on the day of publication to Factiva customers through Dow Jones Interactive and all other Factiva products. These additional publications join an existing content set of nearly 8,000 sources including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Le Monde, Financial Times, and the South China Morning Post.

In other news, Factiva announced enhancements to Factiva Search Module and Factiva Track Module. The company's global customers now have access to French- and German-language user interfaces to research and track news and business information about their customers, competitors, and markets.

Source: Factiva, Princeton, NJ, 800/369-7466, 609/627-2000; http://www.factiva.com.
 

Dialog IQ Offers Simple Search Application
The Dialog Corporation has announced the release of Dialog IQ. This desktop application is for everyday use by corporate knowledge workers looking to access key global news and business information available within DIALOG, DataStar, and Profound. Current customers may download the application for free at http://www.dialogiq.com.

According to Dialog, the IQ stands for "information quickly," and the application reaches a new audience within corporations—particularly workers who need information quickly while they are working in applications such as Word, Excel, or a customer relationship management (CRM) program. When searching with Dialog IQ, users only need to select a search module from a pull-down menu (representing DIALOG, Profound, and DataStar content areas) and enter search terms in the text box. Customers will have access to analyst reports, business news, trade journals, company profiles, and world news from DIALOG and DataStar; the entire Profound collection is also available. Customers must have an account established for each product line with which they would like to use Dialog IQ. Other benefits to using the application include desktop accessibility, single-point access, consistent searching, and constant availability.

Source: The Dialog Corporation, Cary, NC, 800/3DIALOG, 919/462-8600; http://www.dialog.com.
 

COMTEX Announces Desktop News Editor
COMTEX News Network, Inc. has announced the launch of NewsDesk, an editor's toolkit application available as part of the News Solutions product line. NewsDesk is an application created to enhance the customer's ability to perform specialized filtering, targeting, customization, and content delivery. According to the announcement, NewsDesk puts the controls in the hands of the COMTEX customer.

The NewsDesk application offers News Solutions users the following enhanced options: an "E-mail this story" hyperlink, the ability to rank the appearance of stories in order of relevance to them, the ability to select specific stories to be displayed, and a way to choose the location within the Web site where both headlines and new stories will be displayed.

According to the company, the News Solutions product line creates content communities on a Web site by cutting and pasting a few lines of News Solutions-generated code. Users are not required to develop content databases or cost-prohibitive infrastructure. News Solutions provides four different filtering and search functions that utilize COMTEX's proprietary taxonomy and metadata—including U.S. stock ticker symbols and standardized keywords—ultimately enabling end-users to receive relevant news and information.

Source: COMTEX News Network, Inc., Alexandria, VA, 703/820-2000; http://www.comtexnews.net.
 

Derwent Introduces Intellectual Property Site
Derwent Information has announced the launch of its new Intellectual Property Services Web site (http://www.derwent.com/intellectualproperty). In addition to reference material for users of patent information, the site includes a guide to selecting Derwent products and services to meet specific requirements as well as links with other suppliers of business-critical intellectual property information.

Derwent's patent information services are based on proprietary databases that contain more than 20 million patents and span technologies such as engineering, chemistry, and life sciences. Users can order patent searches, documents, and translations; browse reference information about patents; and register for free patent-searching training classes.

The Web site also incorporates IPMatters, Derwent's independent intellectual property forum. This is regularly updated with news and articles that cover a range of intellectual property issues. Users can sign up online to be notified of major site updates.

Source: Derwent Information, London, 011-44-20-7344-2800; Fax: 011-44-20-7344-2900; http://www.derwent.com.
 

Library Automation

TLC, Syndetic Ink Deal to Enhance Services
The Library Corporation (TLC) has signed an agreement with Syndetic Solutions, Inc. that will enhance services for patrons.

Syndetic Solutions is a provider of specialized bibliographic data and enrichment content to libraries. TLC's contract with Syndetic calls for the integration of seven services into the OPAC and "YouSeeMore." These are: 1) Fiction and Biography Data (brief descriptions of characters, subjects, settings, time periods, and subgenre of adult novels and biographies); 2) Summaries and Annotations (descriptions of adult and juvenile books derived from book jackets or written by the independent reviewers of Book News, Inc.); 3) CHOICE Reviews; 4) excerpts, first chapters, or forewords from more than 10,000 current titles; 5) Author Note (descriptions of an author's educational, professional, and personal background); 6) Cover Images (scanned electronic copies of the front covers of recently published books); and 7) Tables of Contents.

The enrichment content data is available immediately from TLC for Library•Solution and CARL•Solution customers.

Source: The Library Corporation, Inwood, WV, 800/325-7759, 304/229-0100; http://www.tlcdelivers.com.
 

Innovative's MAP in Beta Testing at a PL
Innovative Interfaces has announced that Millennium Access Plus (MAP) has begun its first beta tests at a public library.

According to the company, MAP is a highly integrated solution that manages access to information resources and guides patrons and staff to Internet content quickly. It is made up of three features: Web Access Management, WebBridge, and MetaFind. Web Access Management is a remote patron authentication tool that links patrons anywhere in the world to external Web servers and databases. WebBridge, a contextual resource linking tool, connects users directly from the bibliographic record display in the Web OPAC and Millennium modules to related resources such as full-text articles, book reviews, or book jacket images. Finally, MetaFind is a universal search interface that allows access to multiple resources with a single search, returning all results in a consistent interface.

Source: Innovative Interfaces, Inc., Emeryville, CA, 510/655-6200; http://www.iii.com.
 

BackTrack Keeps Track of Video and AV
The BackTrack Group, a division of StrandWare, Inc., a provider of bar code labeling and tracking software products, has added video and audiovisual (AV) equipment tracking to its online Applications Library. Available at http://www.backtrackgroup.com, the video and AV equipment usage/locator template is an add-on for the BackTrack tracking software. The add-on is offered for free to existing BackTrack customers.

According to the announcement, the video tracking application is ideal for any organization that circulates high-value, sophisticated equipment. Schools, universities, and government agencies can use BackTrack to handle equipment check-in and check-out and to manage many aspects of equipment maintenance. The customizable system has the ability to track tripods, monitors, cables, projectors, and any other physical equipment.

Bar coded labels are attached to equipment and major components. Then, administrators can monitor check-in/check-out activities, record equipment damage, and plan routine preventive maintenance by recording movement with a hand-held barcode scanner. For large installations, such as universities with several equipment locations, the equipment can stay distributed while inventory management can be consolidated. The video and AV application can also be used to schedule equipment reservations, to manage equipment rotations, to control usage hours, and to gather usage statistics.

Source: StrandWare, Inc., Eau Claire, WI, 800/552-2331; http://www.strandware.com.
 

SIRSI Unveils JurisLink Management System
SIRSI Corp. has announced the release of JurisLink, a new library management system that is tailored to the needs of law libraries.

The new JurisLink software configuration includes the iLink Electronic Library with "eSearcher" simultaneous database searching and "MyLink" selective dissemination of information (SDI). Also included are Z39.50 version 3 Server with Level 1 Bath Profile compliance, a bibliographic catalog with dynamic total keyword indexing, acquisitions and fund accounting with electronic data interchange (EDI), serials check-in and control with UDC automatic check-in, SmartPORT for Z39.50 copy cataloging with OCLC Automatic Post Holdings, and circulation control with reserves.

Source: SIRSI Corp., Huntsville, AL, 256/704-7000; http://www.sirsi.com.
 

System Components

New StatePointPlus Monitors System Security
Westinghouse Electric Co., one of the four major business units of British Nuclear Fuels, has announced the release of its StatePointPlus software suite. According to the announcement, StatePointPlus is the first proactive strategic systems integrity controller that enables secure enterprisewide monitoring, management, and repair of thousands of computers from a remote central location.

StatePointPlus controls systems integrity from inside each computer in the organization by continuously diagnosing and enforcing distributed and disparate computer configuration baselines for Windows 2000, NT, and UNIX environments. According to the press release, the product's ability to accommodate existing computer diversity permits rapid implementation in networks, even where baselines may not exist. StatePointPlus provides an innovative way to strengthen configuration control, tighten security, and streamline operations in real time. For example, StatePointPlus can remotely scan a computer in the network to determine operational abnormalities, present them to the help desk administrator, and provide remote capabilities to diagnose and repair systems, often without the user ever calling the problem in.

Westinghouse offers free trial programs of the StatePointPlus suite, supported by on-site consultation, to help users develop and implement integrity control strategies for their organizations' specific needs.

Source: Westinghouse Electric Co., Monroeville, PA, 412/374-2130; http://www.westinghouse.com.
 

MidCore Announces MidPoint 5.0—Enhanced Internet Gateway Software Package
MidCore Software, Inc., a subsidiary of NCT Group, Inc., has announced the release and immediate availability of MidPoint 5.0, the latest version of the company's Internet gateway software for small and medium-sized enterprises.

MidPoint 5.0 has been enhanced with an integrated ultra-secure firewall; SoftHost distributed Web hosting; major additions to its integrated e-mail server and management features; improved support for broadband connections; failed line detection with automatic backup; support for Microsoft's virtual private network (VPN); enhanced connection management for DSL, analog, T-1, cable, and E-1; enhanced content control/site blocking; and more.

MidPoint is available for a one-time license fee with prices starting at $79 or as a subscription service with monthly fees as low as $9.99. An evaluation version of MidPoint 5.0 is available for download from the company's Web site.

Source: MidCore Software, Inc., Westport, CT, 203/226-4447; http://www.nct-active.com.
 

Cataloging Tools

MITINET/marc Releases MARC Mechanic
MITINET/marc Software has announced the release of its new custom MARC data cleanup service, MARC Mechanic.

According to the company, the process of getting a library's database corrected and enhanced by MARC Mechanic is straightforward and user-friendly. A copy of the library's MARC database is transferred via the Internet to the MARC Mechanic site. After a thorough review of the original database by MITINET's MARC experts, customers may then select custom cleanup options best suited to their needs. New options give you the ability to update and supplement subject headings; standardize Dewey call number prefixes and cutters; spell check key fields; remove unwanted subject headings (e.g., juvenile literature); move information from one field to another; add fields and subfields; correct capitalization errors; correct material-type designations (GMD) and proper formats; and correct and update control and leader fields. After the client's custom options have been processed, the cleaned-up database is returned on a CD with easy-to-follow uploading instructions.

Prices begin at $500 per library, depending on collection size. Significant discounts are offered for users of MARC Magician and MITINET/marc software. Volume and districtwide purchase incentives are also available.

Source: MITINET/marc Software, Madison, WI, 800/824-6272; http://www.mitinet.com.
 

Balboa Software Releases Library Master 4.1
Balboa Software has announced the release of Library Master 4.1 for Windows, a bibliographic database manager that automatically formats bibliographies, citations, and bibliographic footnotes. According to the company, version 4.1 adds over 200 new features, including 130 bibliographic styles; previewing formatted records; Authority Lists; more flexible importing; new export formats; and Terms Tables that abbreviate journals, publishers, and series titles in reports.

Library Master can catalog libraries with up to 2 million books, periodicals, audiovisuals, software, and other materials. New features simplify tracking overdue items. The network version allows catalogers to edit records while users are searching the database. Library Master can also create periodical literature indexes, printed catalogs, acquisitions lists, spine labels, and customized reports.

Terms Tables let users pick items from Authority Lists to save data entry time. When abbreviations are entered in a field, they are expanded to full journal names and other standard entries. Library Master imports from hundreds of online information services, bibliographic CD-ROMs, and online library catalogs. MARC record importing and exporting are also available.

Source: Balboa Software, Willowdale, ON, Canada, 800/763-8542, 416/730-8980; http://www.balboa-software.com.
 

New/Improved Databases

Grolier Announces America the Beautiful
Grolier Educational has announced America the Beautiful—State-by-State, its latest addition to Grolier Online.

Based on the America the Beautiful book series, America the Beautiful—State-by-State is a tool for grades 4 and up that allows students to learn about the U.S. states in a fun, highly interactive way. More than 1,000 articles provide the latest information about states including history, economy, government, spotlights, teacher resources, geography, culture, cities, fast facts, Web sites, and classroom activities.

Sections include Presidents, Cities, Natural Wonders, Profiles of People Important to the State, Native American Tribes, Famous Places, College Information, and Almanac. The 60 timelines put events into historical perspective. Other features include full-text and article-title searches, and dictionary definitions.

Source: Grolier Educational, Danbury, CT, 800/243-7256; http://publishing.grolier.com.
 

GeoRef In Process Available on CSA's IDS
Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (CSA) has announced that GeoRef In Process, published by the American Geological Institute (AGI), is now available through its Internet Database Service (IDS). The database contains records that are in the process of being indexed by AGI prior to their integration into GeoRef.

GeoRef In Process mostly contains non-English-language literature, much of which was not published recently. When the database indexers complete the editing and indexing of a GeoRef In Process record, the record then appears in the next GeoRef monthly update.

The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 37 geoscientific and professional associations that represent more than 100,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists.

Source: Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, Bethesda, MD, 800/843-7751, 301/961-6700; http://www.csa.com.
 

APA Adds Cited References to PsycINFO
The American Psychological Association (APA) has announced the planned addition of a cited-references feature to the PsycINFO database.

The basis of the cited references feature is a linked list—appended to the abstract record—of all works cited in the primary document, including journal articles, books and book chapters, published conference papers, and so on. From that expanded record, users have several options. They can pull up related articles with one click, or they can click to find all the articles in that database that cited the work. Within the cited references, researchers can move forward and backward in time to track research using a specific work as a starting point. In addition, researchers will be able to link directly from the reference list to an abstract for many, if not most, of the references. From the abstract, publisher links in PsycINFO take users to the full text, ordering information, or document delivery, whichever the publisher provides.

The APA reports that it will release the new database to vendors for distribution on March 1, 2002.

Source: American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, 202/336-5500; http://www.apa.org.
 

World History FullTEXT Adds 60 Journals
ABC-CLIO and EBSCO Publishing have announced that they have added 60 journals to the World History FullTEXT scholarly database. Full-text access to the journals is available immediately, with access to nearly 200 titles expected by the end of the year.

ABC-CLIO joined with EBSCO last year to create this co-branded database for libraries with general history research needs. World History FullTEXT combines the highly specialized indexing abstracts from ABC-CLIO's America: History and Life and Historical Abstracts with the full text of appropriate journals from EBSCO's library.

Source: ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, CA, 800/368-6868; http://www.abc-clio.com.
 

TheScientificWorld, Inc. Improves Services
TheScientificWorld, Inc., a company delivering research information to the scientific community, has announced new features to its commercial Web site (http://www.thescientificworld.com) that offer integrated access to scientific information, resources, and tools designed to enhance scientific and medical research. The upgraded site now provides new content, additional linking and search capabilities, and enhanced design and navigation.

The upgraded Web site includes the following new features: sciBASE, TheScientificWorld's core scientific information retrieval service, now includes more than 200,000 additional abstract records dating back to 1984; TheScientificWorldJOURNAL, the company's online publication for scientific research, plans to publish peer-reviewed articles from over 200 fields in life and environmental sciences; and TheScientificWorld's newsLAB has been enhanced with over 200 additional news categories to allow users to create a personalized news page of scientific and world events.

Source: TheScientificWorld, Inc., Boynton Beach, FL, 561/742-0068; http://www.thescientificworld.com.
 

ebrary and Learning Network Launch Public Beta Version of ebrarian E-Content Solution
ebrary, a provider of software and services for the online delivery of copyrighted content, and Learning Network, part of Pearson, PLC, have announced the launch of the first public beta version of ebrarian, ebrary's new e-content solution for partners and customers. The co-branded site is available at http://learningnetwork.ebrary.com.

Learning Network has implemented the ebrarian solution to securely deliver high-value business and economics titles to its communities of students, consumers, and professionals. Access is provided through Learning Network's Infoplease reference site (http://www.infoplease.com). Using a model similar to photocopying, Learning Network visitors pay only to print or copy the information they need. Searching and browsing are free, and there are no membership or subscription fees. Learning Network has also customized ebrary's InfoTools to link users to relevant information on the Infoplease site.

Source: ebrary, Mountain View, CA, 650/230-0700; http://www.ebrary.com.
 

Online Collections

Questia Launches 2.0, Doubles Its Collection
Questia has announced version 2.0, which includes a collection of more than 60,000 full-text titles—nearly double the size of its version 1.0 collection launched in January. According to the announcement, version 2.0 also improves Questia's tools, which highlight online books and automatically create footnotes.

Features new to version 2.0 include an automatic view of the recently used books, a personal bookshelf for storing and retrieving favorite books, and a customizable home page; reorganization of the tools and functions around the three main areas of search, read, and work to improve the site's usability; faster search and navigation between and within books; and an America Online agreement that makes Questia available to all AOL subscribers on its Research and Learn channel.

The cost of accessing the entire Questia collection and utilizing the research tools remains $19.95 per month or $149.95 annually. Promotional pricing is offered through partners including America Online; Britannica.com; and The Princeton Review, Inc. Web site, Review.com.

Source: Questia Media, Inc., Houston, 877/QUESTIA, 617/398-8111; http://www.questia.com.
 

JSTOR Releases Arts & Sciences II Collection
JSTOR has announced the release of the first 22 titles in its new Arts & Sciences II Collection. This multidisciplinary collection will offer additional titles in subjects such as history, economics, and Asian studies that will complement JSTOR's original Arts & Sciences I Collection. In addition, Arts & Sciences II will offer journals in new disciplines, including classics; archaeology; history of science; and African, Latin American, Slavic, and Middle Eastern Studies. The list of signed titles to be included in the new collection is updated regularly and can be found on the JSTOR Web site at http://www.jstor.org/about/asII.list.html.

Source: JSTOR, New York, 212/229-3700; http://www.jstor.org.
 

CDL, UC Press to Offer Books on the Web
The California Digital Library (CDL; http://www.cdlib.org) and the University of California Press (UC Press; http://www.ucpress.edu) have announced that more than 60 UC Press books are now available for free on the Web at http://www.escholarship.cdlib.org. The 60 titles are concentrated in international studies, European history, and literature. These titles are in addition to 12 digital monographs published by the CDL's eScholarship program for students in California International and Area Studies (an eScholarship community) and the UC Press book Tobacco War: Inside the California Battles, by Stanton A. Glantz and Edith D. Balbach.

The partnership between the CDL and UC Press is a core component of the CDL's eScholarship program, which is designed to support innovation in scholarly communication.

Source: California Digital Library, San Francisco, 510/987-0425; http://www.cdlib.org.
 

New Books

ALA Publishes Manual for Online Training
ALA Editions has announced Web-Based Instruction: A Guide for Libraries, by Susan Sharpless Smith (ISBN: 0-8389-0805-5; $40, $36 for ALA members). In response to increasing numbers of tech-savvy, remote-access library patrons, this book trains librarians to offer online learning classes.

The author provides a systematic approach for librarians to advance from basic skills, such as understanding what makes an effective Web-based instruction program, to advanced applications, such as serving a large number of students with 24/7 access to interactive, self-paced, and self-directed instruction. This guide helps instructors determine how to use their Web sites to take library educational services beyond the traditional classroom.

Source: ALA Editions, American Library Association, Chicago, 800/545-2433; http://www.ala.org/editions.
 

MLA Offers Guide to Healthcare on the Web
The Medical Library Association (MLA) has published Consumer Health: A Guide to Internet Information Resources, by Cecilia Durkin ($68, $48 for MLA members), to help librarians learn to search for credible health information on the Web by providing information about search tools and resources, as well as instruction about how to use them most effectively.

The author covers a range of online healthcare resources, including medical search engines and search integrators, quality filters, subject directories, electronic libraries, subject-specific Web sites, medical news sources, and electronic journals. Readers learn to use these tools to access information about such topics as diseases and treatments, complementary and alternative medicine, mental health and substance abuse, and wellness and prevention. An accompanying disk provides links to Web sites in the book.

Source: Medical Library Association, Chicago, 312/419-9094; http://www.mlanet.org/publications.
 

Libraries Unlimited Updates Publication for Finding Government Information Online
Libraries Unlimited has announced U.S. Government on the Web: Getting the Information You Need, second edition, by Peter Hernon, Robert E. Dugan, and John A. Shuler (ISBN: 1-56308-886-X; $45). This guide tells you how to find government information through new Web sites and digital reference services, as well as how to navigate, access, and use it.

The authors have updated this title with a range of recent government developments, including information from the new administration and the 107th Congress, an analysis of information policies that manage e-government, expanded coverage of the Freedom of Information Act, and direction to sites that provide subject-specific statistics.

Source: Libraries Unlimited, Englewood, CO, 800/237-6124; http://www.lu.com.
 

Breaking News

ITI and CSA Buy Bowker from Reed Elsevier
Information Today, Inc. (ITI) announced that it has entered into a joint agreement with Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (CSA) to buy R.R. Bowker from Reed Elsevier (R-E). Cambridge Information Group (CIG) will purchase all of Bowker from R-E and form Bowker, LLC, and then ITI will purchase about 10 reference directories from Bowker, LLC. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed. Many Bowker staff members will remain in place.

Cambridge is acquiring the entire Books In Print family of products, Ulrich's Periodical Directory, Magazines for Libraries, a number of abstracts and indexes, a number of journals and newsletters, and miscellaneous other products. In addition, Cambridge retains the contract for Bowker, LLC to have the exclusive right to operate the U.S. office of the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) agency.

The directories that ITI is purchasing serve the library, publishing, and bookselling markets: Literary Market Place, International Literary Market Place, American Book Trade Directory, American Library Directory, Annual Register of Grant Support, The Bowker Annual Library and Book Trade Almanac, Library Resource Guide, AV Market Place, Directory of American Research and Technology, and American Men & Women of Science.

Source: Information Today, Inc., Medford, NJ, 609/654-6266; https://www.infotoday.com.