NetLibrary to Distribute Microsoft Press Frontlist

BOULDER, COLO. — October 13, 2003 — NetLibrary, the leading provider of eBooks, today announced an agreement with Microsoft Corp. to distribute the latest Microsoft Press titles as eBooks. Over the next three months, NetLibrary will release more than 270 frontlist Microsoft titles, ranging from self-paced tutorials for first-time computer users to advanced technical references and programming guides for computer professionals.

"Working with NetLibrary supports our objective of enabling customers to access the right product, at the right time through the print or electronic resource that meets their individual learning style" said Stephen Clark, Director of Worldwide Sales for Microsoft Learning. "Having our technology book titles accessible as NetLibrary electronic books supports our goal of improving the learning experience by offering a variety and choices of Microsoft Learning content, tools and services to customers."

NetLibrary will make available the Microsoft Press complete catalog of tutorials and reference guides for end users, developers and IT professionals. Available titles include the "At a Glance" and "Running" series of desktop references, MCSE tutorials that help prepare users for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer exams, "Step by Step" tutorials for beginning and intermediate users, programmers guides for developers, and the "Inside Out" series, which provides advanced users with in-depth information on Microsoft products. More information about Microsoft Press titles can be located by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/.

"We are committed to providing libraries with a growing and dynamic collection of information technology and computer science content from the world's premier publishers," said Rich Rosy, NetLibrary's Corporate Vice President. "The addition of the latest titles from Microsoft Press contributes to that goal and ensures that the most accurate and most up-to date technical information for computer users will be available through libraries."

NetLibrary's eBooks provide users with access to library resources anywhere, anytime. Patrons can conduct full text searches across hundreds of books or within a specific book to speed research and reference projects. eBooks can be viewed online from a library, office, home, or remote location using an Internet browser, or can be downloaded to a laptop. eBooks are available for varying checkout periods and are automatically checked back into the library collection when the checkout period expires.

About NetLibrary

The NetLibrary division of OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (www.netlibrary.com) helps academic, public, corporate and special libraries create a richer, more productive learning environment for their patrons. By combining the time-honored traditions of the library system with electronic publishing, NetLibrary offers an easy-to-use information retrieval system for accessing the full text of reference, scholarly, and professional books. OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (www.oclc.org) is a nonprofit organization and leader in computer-based cataloging, reference, resource sharing and preservation service to libraries worldwide.