State Librarian Nancy Robertson sent out the following message today regarding changes to the MeL Databases:

Dear Michigan libraries,
After lengthy contract negotiations on issues unrelated to pricing, NewsBank and the State of Michigan could not reach agreement on the wording of the contract. Since the State of Michigan has boilerplate requirements that must be met for contracts, we are unable to proceed with the purchase of the Newsbank newspapers we had agreed upon for the term starting October 1, 2011.  NewsBank will keep the papers available through the end of October 2011.

We regret the inconvenience of the short notice, but we had expected to be able to reach an accord, as we have with our other vendors. MCLS is working with NewsBank to put together a group purchase of the Michigan Newspaper package for Michigan libraries. Please contact MCLS at 800-530-9019 x401 for more information, and watch the MCLS website for updates.

Sincerely yours,
Nancy

Please note that the MCLS Group Purchasing department has contacted NewsBank to discuss options for a group purchase for Michigan libraries.  We will post information on our MCLS News page and on our NewsBank page if we are able to put together a group for the removed newspapers.  Please contact us at services@mcls.org or 800-530-9019 x401 if you have questions.