Bell Atlantic Celebrates Flushing Library On Cover of 2.3 Million Yellow and White Pages for Queens

Bell Atlantic Celebrates Flushing Library On Cover
of 2.3 Million Yellow and White Pages for Queens

Bell Atlantic Sponsors "How to Find It" Lecture Series At
Library

September 22, 1998

QUEENS, N.Y. -- Bell Atlantic today joined Queens residents and
businesses in celebrating the borough's new $34 million Flushing Library
by featuring a cover illustration of the facility on its 1998-1999 Yellow and
White Pages directories. As part of an unveiling ceremony this morning at
the library, Bell Atlantic also announced it is sponsoring a Bell Atlantic
Yellow Pages "How to Find It" lecture series to highlight the many ways
the borough's diverse population can find information in the library, from
books to the Internet.

In addition, Bell Atlantic announced several new features in the Yellow
Pages for Queens, including the Internet Guide, a "how-to" primer for
novice Internet users, as well as e-mail and Web site listings for businesses.
Bell Atlantic this week begins delivery of some 2.3 million copies of the
directories.

The Internet Guide is a 12-page primer for consumers unfamiliar with how
to use the Internet. It contains information and useful tips about the
Internet, information on hardware and software requirements, and advice
on choosing an Internet service provider. The guide also lists local,
regional and national Web sites that may be of interest to local consumers.

In support of recycling efforts in Queens, Bell Atlantic also has included
general guidelines on what and how to recycle in its Yellow Pages.

"The Flushing Library and the people of Queens represent the very best of
America, a diverse group working together to gain an education and get
ahead," said Mary Jo Howe, vice president of marketing and customer
relations for Bell Atlantic Directory Services. "We are honored to
commemorate the role Flushing Library plays in providing the resources
and spirit that bind so many Queens residents together."

"We are honored to have the Flushing Library on the cover of Bell
Atlantic's Queens directories," added Queens Borough Public Library
Director Gary Strong. "Bell Atlantic's support of Flushing Library through
sponsorship of the "How to Find It" lecture series, and as a corporate
sponsor of our upcoming gala, shows its commitment to being a good
neighbor to the people of Queens." Full details of the lecture series will be
announced by the library in October.

Strong noted that the Queens Library Foundation will hold a gala at
Flushing Library on November 7. Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages is one of the
corporate sponsors of the celebration, which will feature food and
entertainment from around the world to highlight the library's international
users and services.

The recently rebuilt Flushing Library is the busiest branch of the busiest
public library system in the United States. Opened in June of this year, the
new Flushing Library is located at the crossroads of one of the borough's
most ethnically diverse communities. The 76,000-square-foot building
houses 300,000 volumes in more than 35 languages. The library provides
programs and services that reflect the diversity of the neighborhood in
which it is located, housing an adult learning center, the largest children's
reading room in Queens, and the International Resource Center, a unique
city-wide reference center.

Bell Atlantic is the world's largest publisher of Yellow Pages shopping
directories. Its affiliate, Bell Atlantic Electronic Commerce Services, is the
creator of BigYellow^SM, a leading national online shopping service.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information
industry. With more than 41 million telephone access lines and more than
seven million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are
premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, and
market leaders in wireless services. Bell Atlantic companies are also among
the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets,
with operations and investments in 23 countries.