ALA calls for library participation on RoweCom creditor committee

Contact: Larra Clark


312-280-5043

For Immediate Release


February 5, 2003

ALA calls for library participation on RoweCom creditor committee

The American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) have undertaken steps to ensure that library interests are well-represented in the RoweCom bankruptcy proceedings. The ALA today filed to join a creditor's committee established by the Eastern Division of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, where subscription agency RoweCom has filed for Chapter 11 status. In its application, the ALA seeks to represent the interests of smaller libraries nationwide affected by RoweCom's failure. ACRL, the ALA's largest division, has taken the lead in encouraging academic and research libraries, a number of whom are among the 40 libraries with the largest exposure, to apply to join the committee.

"The ALA is committed to seeking the greatest possible representation for libraries as we struggle to recover from millions of dollars in loss among libraries of all types," said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels. "At the same time, we will make every effort to ensure that our publications reach subscribers."

Last month the ALA announced it would extend subscriptions for RoweCom customers to ensure there would be no disruption of service.
CHOICE, Booklist, Book Links, American Libraries, Library Technology Reports and
Smart Libraries (formerly
Libraries Systems Newsletter) are among the ALA and affiliated publications affected by RoweCom's collapse.

The ALA and its divisions and offices have extended existing subscriptions until March 1, 2003, pending further analysis and the receipt of additional information on the number of subscribers affected.

If subscribers have questions or concerns, they may contact the appropriate staff at the following publications:
Book Links and
Booklist, Bill Ott, 800-545-2433 x5717,
bott@ala.org


CHOICE and other ACRL journals,
CHOICE/ACRL Subscriptions, 240-646-7027,
choicesubscriptions@pmds.com


For all other subscriptions, including
American Libraries, Smart Libraries and
Library Technology Reports, please call 800-545-2433 and press 5 or select extension 4290 for Vicki Williams in ALA Customer Service. Subscribers may also email to
subscriptions@ala.org.

For more information on this issue, please visit
https://cs.ala.org/faq/faq.cfm#topfive.