Subject: RLG sells the Ariel software line to Infotrieve
January 22, 2003

To the Ariel Community:

This posting is to tell you that Infotrieve, a private corporation based in Los Angeles with offices elsewhere in the US, in Australia, and in Germany, has acquired the Ariel software line from RLG.

At http://www.infotrieve.com you'll find a letter from Infotrieve's CEO, Wes Crews. He outlines their plans for working with you to sustain Ariel's steady growth and to improve its ease of use. You'll also find Ariel user support on the Infotrieve Web site -- plus some exciting offers.

As most of you already know, RLG is a nonprofit organization created and functioning for the benefit of our 160 members. The work we do with these member institutions yields many products and services -- such as Ariel -- that benefit a much wider circle of users.

In 2002, to help realize the full potential of Ariel and bring it to new kinds of users, we looked for a buyer with the right kind of mission, resources, and desire. Infotrieve is a recognized leader in document delivery and is well thought of in the academic community generally. And they were already active Ariel users before we began discussing this sale. I believe that you will find Infotrieve a direct, efficient, and honest partner to deal with on Ariel.

If you are attending the American Library Association Midwinter conference at the end of this week, please take advantage of these opportunities:

(1) come to the RLG booth (#815), where Infotrieve staff will be demonstrating Ariel and answering questions; or

(2) attend the Ariel users group meeting (7-9 p.m., Saturday January 26, room 303A of the Philadelphia Convention Center), where both Infotrieve and RLG staff will be participating.

We are very proud of Ariel and the changes it has introduced in the resource-sharing landscape since its first release in 1991. Let me extend my thanks on behalf of RLG for your work with us on Ariel over the years. You have built an amazing, worldwide community that we know will continue
to grow with Infotrieve's participation and support.

Sincerely,

Kristin Tague
Manager, Accounts and Alliances
RLG Inc.
+10650-691-2264
kristin.tague@notes.rlg.org