SIRSI to Integrate NetLibrary eBook Infrastructure into iBistro Internet Access Center for Libraries

Alliance Enables Seamless eBook Purchasing and Access Within Libraries and Corporations

HUNTSVILLE, ALA. - Sept. 19, 2000 - Sirsi Corporation, the leader in library technology, and NetLibrary, the leading provider of eBooks and Internet-based content management services, today announced an alliance to integrate NetLibrary's eBook infrastructure into SIRSI's new iBistro Internet Access Center for public, academic, corporate, government, and other special libraries.

The integrated NetLibrary and SIRSI system will enable libraries to seamlessly incorporate NetLibrary's eBook management architecture into collection development functions. In addition, patrons in libraries served by the integrated technology will be able to preview and check out NetLibrary eBooks through SIRSI's iBistro.

"As more libraries see the value of offering NetLibrary eBooks, it is increasingly important to provide opportunities to search, preview, and buy eBooks through a proven client/server system such as SIRSI's," said Larry Smith, SIRSI COO. "From a patron's standpoint, the ability to discover and access eBooks directly from iBistro is a powerful benefit of the alliance between SIRSI and NetLibrary."

By interacting with NetLibrary's digital content management infrastructure, SIRSI's library system will be able to notify librarians as new NetLibrary eBooks become available. Libraries and corporations will be able to purchase NetLibrary eBooks electronically and provide patrons the ability to search for and access those eBooks through iBistro, which enables libraries to deliver personalized information from the library or the Web directly to users.

"NetLibrary has long recognized SIRSI as a leading innovator in the library automation system field," said Rob Kaufman, NetLibrary president and CEO. "We are pleased to work with SIRSI to provide the best possible eBook architecture and service to our public, academic, corporate, and other special library customers."

About NetLibrary and SIRSI

NetLibrary's digital rights management infrastructure has been adopted by hundreds of publishers of academic, reference, scholarly, and trade books. NetLibrary develops, archives, hosts, and securely distributes eBooks through a variety of channels, including universities, K-12 schools, and public and corporate libraries. NetLibrary eBooks are full-text searchable and readable on a variety of platforms.

SIRSI is a privately held company founded in 1979, with headquarters in Huntsville, Ala. SIRSI uses the most advanced technology available to provide easy-to-use client/server library information systems for public, academic, school, and special libraries. SIRSI maintains offices in major U.S. cities and subsidiaries in Australia, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, China, and the United Kingdom.

Contact:
Brian Bell
NetLibrary Inc.
(303) 381-8703
bbell@NetLibrary.com

Vicki Smith
Sirsi Corporation
(256) 704-7000
vickis@sirsi.com