As announced in January, EBSCO Publishing acquired CommSearchÔ, the communication database created and maintained by the National Communication Association (NCA). The company acquired this database with the intent to enhance the popular collection through content additions and a close working relationship with the NCA.

In order to develop the most comprehensive communication database, EBSCO is working with key organizations and institutions. To this end, EBSCO has finalized an agreement with Penn State University to acquire their Mass Media Articles Index^TM (MMAI), which will be added seamlessly to CommSearch. Created by Jack Pontius, and maintained by the Penn State Libraries since 1984, MMAI indexes over 40,000 articles on mass media published in over 60 research journals, as well as major journalism reviews, recent encyclopedias and handbooks in the area of communications studies. The result of EBSCO's efforts will be Communication & Mass Media Index, a comprehensive source due to be released via EBSCOhost in the coming months.

Tim Collins, vice president & division general manager for EBSCO commented, "Working with both of these organizations (NCA and Penn State) has been a great experience. We believe strongly that with the help of important individuals such as Jim Gaudino from the NCA and Debora Cheney, Foster Communications Librarian for Penn State, EBSCO will have many of the resources in place to assemble the finest communication/mass media index available to libraries. We look forward to working with other important organizations and publishers to see this goal to fruition."

EBSCO is currently working to assemble an advisory board that will assist in the development and enhancement of the Communication & Mass Media Index database. Gaudino and Cheney have already agreed to participate on the advisory board, and EBSCO is currently in the process of rounding out this advisory team of field experts.

With regard to EBSCO's database development for this important area of study, Gaudino commented that he is pleased to be working closely with the company. "The NCA will be helping EBSCO to bring Communication & Mass Media Index to a greater level of content expansion and impact around the world. I am excited about the possibilities." Gaudino continued, "Furthermore, I am impressed with EBSCO's concern regarding the advancement of study in the area of communication, and their willingness to help fund various related initiatives. The company has been very gracious in support of NCA programs including substantial sponsorship of the NCA Doctoral Seminar as well as the funding designated for the database advisory board."

EBSCO Publishing, EBSCO Subscription Services and EBSCO Book Services form the EBSCO Information Services group. EBSCO is a worldwide leader in providing information access and management solutions through print and electronic journal subscription services, research database development and production, online access to more than 100 databases and thousands of e-journals, and e-commerce book procurement. EBSCO has specialized products and services for academic, medical, government, public and school libraries as well as for corporations and other organizations. EBSCO maintains a comprehensive database of more than 282,000 serial titles and upholds active relationships with more than 60,000 publishers worldwide. EBSCO has been serving the library and business communities for almost 60 years. For more information, visit www.ebsco.com.

Release Date: June 21, 2003