For those who haven't seen it yet, here is a press release issued this
morning by EBSCO, confirming the company's intention to acquire RoweCom's
European business.

-------------
Rick Anderson
University of Nevada, Reno
rickand@unr.edu

 -----Original Message-----
From:   Regina Kennamer
Sent:   Friday, December 20, 2002 6:02 AM
To:     News Alerts
Subject:        EBSCO Industries Confirms Intention to Acquire Operations of
RoweCom Europe

EBSCO Industries Confirms Intention to Acquire Operations of RoweCom Europe

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., U.S.A. -  EBSCO Industries Inc. today has confirmed that
it has signed a letter of intent to acquire the European operations of
RoweCom, Inc., a subsidiary of divine, inc., a leading provider of solutions
for the extended enterprise.

EBSCO and divine are proceeding with the definitive purchase agreement. The
transaction requires French regulatory approval.

"Adding a major European agency to our existing business will enable us to
strengthen our global activities," said F. Dixon Brooke Jr., vice president
and division general manager of EBSCO Subscription Services. "EBSCO already
has a major presence in Europe and this acquisition only solidifies the
amount of customer service and support we can bring our customers
worldwide."

The European operations of RoweCom service primarily customers located in
Europe and have offices in France, the U.K. and Spain.

Also today, divine announced its intention to exit the content subscription
business as it streamlines the organization to focus on three solution
areas: Web, Content and Collaboration Solutions; Customer Interaction
Solutions; and Managed Services and Infrastructure Solutions. See the press
release, "New Organizational Alignment Strengthens divine's Ability to Offer
End-to-End Solutions for the Extended Enterprise," for additional details.

About divine, inc.
divine, inc., (Nasdaq: DVIN) is focused on extended enterprise solutions.
Through professional services, software services and managed services,
divine extends business systems beyond the edge of the enterprise throughout
the entire value chain, including suppliers, partners and customers. divine
offers single-point accountability for end-to-end solutions that enhance
profitability through increased revenue, productivity, and customer loyalty.
The company provides expertise in consulting, collaboration, interaction,
hosting and knowledge solutions that enlighten, empower and extend
enterprise systems.

Founded in 1999, divine focuses on Global 5000 and high-growth middle market
firms, government agencies and educational institutions, and currently
serves over 2,000 customers. For more information, visit the company's Web
site at www.divine.com <http://www.divine.com/>.

About EBSCO Industries, Inc.
EBSCO Industries, Inc. is a global corporation with sales, service and
manufacturing subsidiaries at work in 19 countries around the world. EBSCO's
business interests include information management services, journal and
periodical subscription services, real estate development, commercial
printing and more. EBSCO, an acronym for Elton B. Stephens Company, is based
in Birmingham, Alabama and employs 4,000 people around the world. Additional
information on EBSCO Industries is available from www.ebscoind.com.

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Released: December 20, 2002