Future Plans
Since 1998 this project has provided a suite of resources to Washington libraries, including an aggregated periodical collection, with as much full text as possible (currently about 70% of the database is available in full text), a
collection of full-text Washington and national newspapers, and a research
database aimed at the K-12 audience, with a search interface specifically designed for younger researchers.
The Statewide Database Licensing Project is gearing up for a new procurement round, which will plan to release an RFP sometime in 2010. The current contract with ProQuest expires June 30, 2011. Prior to writing and releasing an RFP, the project plans to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment in the Washington library community. Have libraries' basic needs changed since the last procurement round in 2004? Should the focus of the project remain the same, or should it change to reflect changing needs in libraries?
The cooperation and participation of all types of libraries throughout the state will be crucial to this endeavor. Your suggestions and comments are welcomed. Contact project manager, Will Stuivenga (contact information to the right on this page).
New ProQuest Content for Washington Libraries
ProQuest and the WSL Statewide Database Licensing Project announced new content to the statewide database package to compensate libraries for the loss of The Seattle Times. Starting in January, 2009, ProQuest added to all Washington SDL accounts the complete ProQuest Newsstand (over 500 newspaper titles, with more than 350 in full text) and World Conflicts Today (an “add-on” to CultureGrams that provides in-depth profiles of ten conflicts).
The ProQuest Newsstand has been added to all Washington library accounts, and should show up in the "Databases Selected" link when you log on. For access to World Conflicts Today, use this link: www.worldconflictstoday.com. Authentication is the same as for CultureGrams (whatever form of authentication you use for CultureGrams should also work for World Conflicts Today).
The two products run on the same platform, but are considered to be separate databases by ProQuest. There should be links from each product to the other.
For more information on the ProQuest Newsstand, including a complete title list, visit www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/newsstand. For more information on World Conflicts Today, visit www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/conflicts. If you have questions about this announcement, please contact Will Stuivenga or Ahniwa Ferrari.
Training
Want to learn more about ProQuest? Sign up for an online class. Special online training for K-12 libraries is also available.
Other training materials, such as Quick Reference or Quick Start Guides, are available on the Proquest Training page: http://www.il.proquest.com/en-US/support/training/. Training materials for K-12 are here: http://www.proquestk12.com/trainingsupport.shtml.
ProQuest trainers are also available to provide hands-on in-person training at no cost to Washington Libraries.
For K-12 training, contact Jeff Cutler at jeff.cutler@proquest.com or by phone: (800) 521-0600 x 7330 or (801) 455-9775.
For public, academic or special libraries interested in ProQuest training, contact Karen Hinton at Karen.Hinton@proquest.com or (865) 712-5440.
Training for products from other vendors available through group purchases sponsored by the State Library is generally available by contacting the vendor directly. Or Will Stuivenga can provide contact information.
Marketing
ProQuest has created a marketing toolkit for libraries, to assist them in marketing subscription databases to their patrons. ProQuest has also provids resources on Library Advocacy.
Product promotional brochures are also available for many ProQuest databases on the ProQuest Training materials page: http://www.il.proquest.com/en-US/support/training/materials.shtml
SDL Mission Statement
Through Washington libraries, all Washingtonians will have access to a range of electronic database products with which to address their informational and educational needs. And, Washington libraries will be able to leverage their resources to gain more cost effective access to database products.
adopted 1998
SDL is a project coordinated by the Washington State Library to give Washington state citizens access to online commercial databases through their local libraries at a discounted cost.
With guidance from the project's steering committee, the project uses federal LTSA grant funds to underwrite expensive licenses to full-text magazine and newspaper databases. Initiated in 1998, this project pays one half the annual costs. Libraries' local funds pay the rest. Local library shares are determined by the statewide advisory committee.
Libraries participating in SDL include:
- 23 Four-year academic libraries
- 34 Community and technical colleges
- 63 Public libraries and library systems
- 29 Medical and special libraries
- 23 Tribal libraries
- Approximately 2,200 K-12 libraries
The basic database package includes:
- Access to nine Washington daily newspapers, and over 350 national and international newspapers as well as over 4000 magazines, periodicals and journals, of which over 3000 are available in full-text.
- Customized database packages for different audiences including eLibrary and eLibrary Elementary for the K-12 audience as well as packages designed for public library audiences and academic research purposes.
- Remote access from homes or businesses.
SDL also coordinates group purchases of other databases purchased and funded with local library funds.
We encourage your feedback. If you have comments or suggestions, please use our
feedback form.
Funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
