“The new ProQuest releases extend support for the research community and emerging library trends,” said John Law, director, product management for ProQuest.   “Dissertations and author profiles facilitate research depth and breadth while alerting services notify researchers of related new content.   The XML gateway and new local administrator further enable custom integration and presentation of ProQuest resources in library online environments, allowing librarians to tailor resource placement to best meet individual curriculum or patron needs.”

New features and functionality just added to the ProQuest® interface include:

• ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (formerly ProQuest Digital Dissertations) has been renamed and moved to the ProQuest platform. It now supports OpenURL and federated searching.  A migration information center web page available from the ProQuest home page (www.il.proquest.com) helps customers with the transition
• Author Profiles from Scholar Universe now link inside ABI/INFORM®.  The profiles are part of the web’s fastest growing collection of accurate, up-to-date and richly linked Authority Profile^TM content covering faculty members, published authors, professional researchers, and their organizational affiliations
• Improved bar code authentication makes it even easier to set-up and authenticate users to access ProQuest databases
• Durable links are shorter in article citations and My Research Summary, thanks to improved technology

Since mid-November, ProQuest users have also enjoyed these features:

• A new, more intuitive Local Administrator interface for account management with customizable search interface preferences, links to external e-resources, and more
• New email alerting services: When additional content of interest is available, when the latest issue of favorite publications are available, and when new articles matching favorite searches are available
• An XML gateway server offers an alternative to the current Z39.50 interface for better search and retrieval in federated searching of ProQuest databases in the greater library e-resource environment
• Popular ProQuest Smart Search now offers suggested topics for more cross-searchable database combinations
• Institutions can customize CrossLinks graphics and labels for links from ProQuest to external resources, graphics and “Find a copy” text on the results page
• Increased visibility of the popular My Research Summary feature makes it even easier for users to customize and email an HTML file of their selected articles, searches, and publications, with live links back to the content in ProQuest
• In ProQuest Historical Newspapers, Page Image format is now available on the results page for articles blocked due to copyright restrictions
• New OpenURL links for ProQuest MARC records fully support ProQuest Cascading Authentication for more flexible access options. The links will be automatically updated for current users

Free trials of ProQuest databases 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 Information and Learning

ProQuest Information and Learning is a world leader in collecting, organizing, and publishing information worldwide for researchers, faculty, and students in libraries and schools. Known widely for its strength in business and economics, general reference, humanities, social sciences, and STM content, the company develops premium databases comprising periodicals, newspapers, dissertations, out-of-print books, and other scholarly information from more than 8,500 publishers worldwide.  Users access the information through the ProQuest® Web-based online information system, Chadwyck-Healey^TM electronic and microform resources, UMI® microform and print reference products, eLibrary® and SIRS® educational resources, and XanEdu® online faculty and student resources.  For more information about ProQuest Information and Learning, visit www.il.proquest.com.

ProQuest Information and Learning is a business unit of ProQuest Company (www.proquestcompany.com), which was recently named one of the top 100 fastest growing technology companies in the United States by Business 2.0 and one of the 200 best small companies by Forbes Magazine.