ProQuest

ProQuest is a global information-content and technology company that provides databases, digital archives, e-books, and related research tools for libraries, universities, and other institutions. It operates as part of Clarivate, after a history that traces back to University Microfilms International (UMI) and the Cambridge Information Group.

UMI was founded in 1938 by Eugene Power to microfilm scholarly dissertations and gradually expanded into digital publication and database services. The organization was acquired by the Cambridge Information Group (CIG) in the mid-20th century, and the ProQuest brand emerged as the company shifted toward digital content and online access. Over the years, ProQuest grew to offer a wide range of databases and content platforms used by researchers worldwide.

Key products and services include ProQuest Central, a broad multidisciplinary research database; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (PQDT), which provides access to many graduate theses; and ProQuest Ebook Central, a major platform for e-books. ProQuest also maintains archival and historical newspaper databases, such as ProQuest Historical Newspapers, along with other archival and news collections. In addition to content, the company offers digitization services, preservation projects, and library workflow and discovery tools.

Access to ProQuest content is typically provided through library subscriptions, enabling researchers to search, access, and download full-text content where rights allow. ProQuest’s resources are widely used in higher education and research to support teaching, learning, and scholarly inquiry. In 2021, Clarivate announced the acquisition of ProQuest from Cambridge Information Group, integrating its content and platforms into Clarivate’s portfolio.