SDL Selects Gale
The Statewide Database Licensing (SDL) project of the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, is excited to announce a contract for a package of resources from Gale Cengage which replaced the ProQuest package that expired on June 30, 2021.
The combined proposal from Gale for periodical databases and K-12 resources scored higher for both content and interface as well as in pricing. It is hoped that the attractive, recently redesigned user interface and relevant content will help reverse the ongoing decline in usage that has characterized the SDL project in recent years.
The SDL Advisory Committee was virtually unanimous in its decision to recommend awarding the contract to Gale, with no dissenting votes. To check out the full package that will be made available to Washington libraries visit the Gale trial site. In addition, Gale will be posting information on access, training, and support tools to assist libraries in getting started.
The SDL Advisory Committee had a key role in the selection process, advising on the RFP itself, and subsequently assisting with the scoring, and making vendor recommendations. Feel free to contact members of the Advisory Committee, or SDL staff, with your comments or suggestions.
The SDL project is funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The remainder of the funding is provided by participating libraries.
To sign up for the Gale package or for more information, visit SDL News page, or contact the Cooperative Projects Librarian, Jude Guzzy
The 2025-2026 Gale renewal is expected to launch in May. For more information about the renewal, visit the SDL News page.
The new database package from Gale, available starting July 1, 2021, includes:
SDL may also coordinate group purchases of other resources purchased and funded with local library funds.
Funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).