ATLANTA, Georgia (March 22, 2001) - The Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) was founded in 1929 as the first graduate school, research center, and library to focus on the needs of one specific industry. Nineteen paper companies came together, days before the Great Depression, to create a facility that would conduct research to solve the technological problems facing the industry, produce Ph.D.'s in paper science, and collect valuable, industry-specific information. The Institute's early leaders and supporters recognized that the Institution was critical to meeting the needs of the paper industry in a time of transition.

Today, the paper industry has again entered a period of tumultuous change in the form of globalization, consolidations, and mergers. However, one thing has not changed, the need for relevant information that can inform decision-makers is crucial. In response, IPST has added new information services to our traditional collection and library services. This change was brought about to fulfill our IPST mission to provide customers with the information that enables them to improve job knowledge and business performance. To reflect these new services, we have changed the name of the Haselton Library to the Haselton Library and Knowledge Center.

Jim Ferris, President of IPST, says, "This reorganization is a response to our customers' needs for current and relevant information. IPST continually strives to produce value for the individuals who make up our industry, and we believe that these changes will give value-added information to all levels of the organization with greater speed and relevance to their specific needs."

The new Haselton Library and Knowledge Center is improving access to customer-driven information by delivering the results of research to answer specific customer questions. This is a major change in how information is transferred to those who need it. The Institute's Library has always been a depository for the paper industry's cumulative knowledge. Now, with the use of the internet, the Institute resources can be accessed at any time by member company personnel from anywhere in the world.

Recently, the Center incorporated the following activities:

• Maintaining the IPST Member Channel, which transfers proprietary research information and other problem solving resources to member company personnel to improve their knowledge base, creativity, and enhance process and product development.
  
  
• Delivering tailored business and technical information about the industry to Leaders within our industry.
  
  
• Improving the information provided through the IPST Website so that our customers have more convenient access to our faculty, research staff, and information resources.
  
  
• Offering over 130 IPST-reviewed links to Web sites and publications to provide answers to the specific technical and business questions of our members.
  
  
• Conducting searches of over 100 electronic journals and hundreds of online databases for industry personnel.

The title Haselton Library and Knowledge Center, incorporates both the "old" and the "new." The Library still maintains the most comprehensive collection of paper industry-related information resources as it's core. However, as the paper industry becomes more competitive, decisions become increasingly difficult and immediate, and the information available via technology expands at a furious rate.

The Library and Knowledge Center is taking advantage of the latest digital resources to provide the most relevant information for our industry members. The name change and our change of direction reflects our enhanced position to deliver customized information and build the knowledge base of industry personnel - We're not just a library anymore.

Tyler Walters, Manager of the Haselton Library and Knowledge Center, says, "The Haselton Library is more valuable than ever for our industry, and we will always draw on the library's resources as one part of our expanding universe of industry information, but new and significant information multiplies at an ever-increasing rate. Today, it is not just about putting books on the shelf, it is about assembling customer-driven information from a variety of technologically advanced sources and delivering it to customers to improve their knowledge about some specific aspect of our Industry. Our new organizational structure will help our customers access and evaluate the most relevant information as soon as it is available."

The Haselton Library and Knowledge Center looks forward to serving your need for information we will strive to improve our services and take advantage of new information resources as they become available. Please let us know how we can best serve you by accessing http://www.ipst.edu/info_ctr/index.htm.