From: Ann Shumelda Okerson <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 02:05:33 -0400

Dear Readers:  We appreciate the goodwill of all, especially the
publishers. who've forwarded numerous messages to liblicense-l,
carrying the Swets news.  At this point, we can't forward all of them
-- they are important and valued, but at this time all appear to be
providing the similar information:  that libraries should not be
placing 2015 orders through Swets, but choosing other options --
whether direct order or via a different agency. Publishers are
reaching out to library customers to assure them of best efforts
to provide access during this difficult period.

As soon as we receive additional "next steps" announcements,
liblicense-l will of course pass them along.

For more extensive coverage, see also Gary Price on InfoDocket:

http://www.infodocket.com/2014/09/22/netherlands-swets-files-for-bankruptcy/

Meanwhile, below is a press release issued by Swets today.  Clearly,
there is a lot of sorting out to do regarding foreign subsidiaries,
non-subscription parts of the business, and much more.  Librarians and
publishers:  Please keep sending us news as it develops and also your
strategies for going forward.  Thank you.

*******

www.swets.com/news/swets-information-services-bv-declared-bankrupt#.VCLj2H29KrV

Swets Information Services B.V. declared bankrupt.

PRESS RELEASE

Leiden, The Netherlands, 24 September 2014. Following the suspension
of payment for Swets & Zeitlinger Group BV, granted by the court in
Amsterdam on 19 September, the Management  team, together with Mr
J.L.M. Groenewegen (CMS),  the appointed administrator, have been
working tirelessly to investigate alternatives for the business.
Unfortunately, concrete alternatives to sell the business as a whole
have not materialised and due to these developments Swets Information
Services B.V. filed for bankruptcy on 23 September 2014. The court of
Amsterdam honoured this request and as per 23 September 2014 Swets
Information Services B.V. is declared bankrupt.

Mr. J.L.M. Groenewegen has now been appointed as trustee and the court
of Amsterdam has also granted a cooling off period (afkoelingsperiode)
for a duration of two months. Swets Information Services B.V. has
approximately 110 employees in the Netherlands. As a consequence of
the bankruptcy the employment contracts with these employees will be
terminated.

The bankruptcy of the Swets Information Services B.V.  does (for now)
not affect its (foreign) subsidiaries as the bankruptcy is only
related to Swets Information Services B.V. If and in which way the
bankruptcy of Swets Information Services B.V. will affect its branches
is currently under investigation by the trustee at this moment.

In the coming days the trustee and the Management team will continue
discussions with organisations and individuals who may be interested
in purchasing parts of the business and will be making every effort to
try to preserve employment, where possible. Alternative solutions for
the subsidiaries, or branches, of Swets Information Services B.V.
which could see them continue activities on a stand alone basis will
also be investigated.

During these negotiations we kindly ask any suppliers, publishers and
clients with urgent queries to contact CMS directly by e-mail, from
Friday afternoon onwards, at the following address: [log in to unmask]