ANN ARBOR, Mich., January 9, 2004 - ProQuest Information and Learning will soon release Literature Online Third Edition, the world's largest cross-searchable literature and criticism database. The third edition's intuitive interface is a major redesign more tailored to the needs of library users and administrators. It is based on extensive interviews conducted over the past year with librarians, faculty members, authors and researchers. ProQuest Information and Learning, a unit of ProQuest Company, creates and publishes databases for libraries and educational institutions worldwide.

Literature Online includes more than 350,000 primary texts of English and American literature, many rare and out of print, from 600 to the 21st century. Many international primary works are also included. Literature Online holds secondary resources as well: more than 80,000 articles from 120 full-text journals, links to 4,000 key literary websites and more than 2,600 author biographies. It is not just a history of literature, however: More than 130,000 of the literary works are by 20th century authors; more than 50,000 are by living authors.

Literature Online is comprised of 25 individual literature collections of primary works, all cross-searchable and ready to put in context with an outstanding selection of criticism and reference works. Among its unique features is Poets On Screen, videos of poets reading their own and other poets' works. The individual literature collections are wide-ranging, and as comprehensive as "English Poetry (600-1900)" or as focused as "Early American Fiction 1789-1875."

The new Quick Search feature – the most-often-requested enhancement – allows users to cross-search the entire contents of the database.  Other significant improvements to the interface and navigation include:

• Durable URLs for easier bookmarking, a new My Archive feature for saved searches and course-pack building, and automatic citation support insure that important records and complex searches are available for future access to support research or teaching
• Precision searching with Early Modern Typographical Variants and more flexible wildcards allows users to study literary texts with greater accuracy
• Enhanced table of contents and in-depth searches of 120 full-text journals allow users to browse through electronic TOCs or search more than 16,000 current literary works and 78,000 critical articles from an unparalleled collection of top literary journals with clearer search options for all research levels
• Email content alerts point users to the most current information about authors as it's added to the database, reflecting research as a dynamic process
• Easier results navigation
• Dedicated resource areas for librarians, academics and students, each section tailored for information and help for each type of user.  For example, librarians will be able to access usage statistics, title lists, and editorial information in their section
• Library branding
• Complete Contents link provides a listing of the entire contents of Literature Online

Premier scholarly journal titles now available include Black Scholar, Diacritics, Studies in English Literature, Yale Journal of Criticism, Modern Fiction Studies, New Literary History, and Theatre Journal, along with top literature reference books in full text. Many new author biographies cover more modern and ethnic authors: 61% American, 18% ethnic, and 28% women overall with 73% women among 20th century authors.

Literature Online is available by subscription only. The individual literature collections that make up Literature Online are available individually by subscription or by purchase of permanent access.  Free trials are available. Libraries may receive more information by contacting their account representative at 1-800-521-0600, ext. 3183 or 3452 (outside the U.S., call +44-1-223-215-512) or pqsales@il.proquest.com. Editors may call 1-800-521-0600, ext. 6489 or email pr@il.proquest.com.

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.