University of Missouri Press will close this year

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - After five decades of operation, the University of Missouri Press will close.

University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe said Thursday that the book publishing operation would be phased out beginning in July. Ten employees will be affected by the closing

The Columbia Daily Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/LIwc6D) Missouri Press publishes about 30 books a year, and has published about 2,000 books since it started in 1958.

Wolfe said in a statement that administrators are trying to re-evaluate how the university system uses its funds to best achieve its priorities.

Most of the books published by Missouri Press were academic works. Provost Brian Foster says a committee will explore new ways to support scholarly works in response to changes in technology.

---

Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com