---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 02 Sep 1994 14:33:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: Diana Brewer <BREWER@faxon.com>
To: tuttle@gibbs.oit.unc.edu
Cc: Diana Brewer <brewer@am.faxon.com>
Subject: Dawson/Faxon Press Release

The following is the press release which Dawson is distributing today.

For more information contact:

Vernon W. Cain, President
Dawson Subscription Services
815-732-9001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DAWSON HOLDINGS PLC PURCHASE AGREEMENT ACCEPTED BY FAXON INC; DAWSON TO BECOME
NUMBER TWO WORLDWIDE

Folkestone, U.K. -- Dawson Holdings PLC, a publicly traded worldwide supplier
of information services to the library community, jointly announced with The
Faxon Company, Inc. their agreement for Dawson to acquire The Faxon Company and
all Faxon subsidiaries.  The purchase of Faxon will make Dawson the second
largest library information services organization in the world.

Westwood, Mass.-based Faxon President Judy Davis confirmed that "Faxon has
accepted a Dawson Holdings PLC offer for the purchase of all of The Faxon
Company."

Brian Ingleby, Group Chief Executive of Dawson Holdings PLC of Folkestone, UK
says, "Dawson PLC has a record of service in the supply of information dating
back to 1807.  The acquisition of Faxon positions us for dynamic growth well
into the next century."  Collectively, sales will be in excess of a half
billion dollars.

Says President and CEO of Dawson US Operations Vernon W. Cain, "the purchase of
Faxon is an exciting move for Dawson and a strategic one.  It is the next
logical step in our drive to lead the library information services industry."
Both Dawson and Faxon are highly diversified, experienced suppliers of
information services to the international library purchasing community.

According to Cain the acquisition of Faxon will add considerable stability and
reliability to the library information services supply industry as well as
continuity of supply and services to the purchasing community.

It is anticipated that this agreement will be concluded shortly.  "Dawson will
be providing interim support to Faxon, and looks forward to meeting and working
with the Faxon clients on a one on one basis," said Cain.

9/2/1994                                # # #