Chicago Public Library Now Providing Remote Access to Morningstar Investment Research Center

CHICAGO, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Morningstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: MORN), a leading provider of independent investment research, announced today an agreement with the Chicago Public Library to provide unlimited remote access to the Morningstar® Investment Research Center for the library system's 1.9 million members.

The Morningstar Investment Research Center is an online investment database with information on more than 30,000 stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds. Designed specifically for libraries and other academic research institutions, it provides independent analysis, industry information, stock charts, portfolio building tools, and the Morningstar Investing Classroom(SM) series of web-based educational tutorials. The database, available at the more than 70 branches of the library across the city and now online, is part of the array of resources offered by the Chicago Public Library to promote investment education and financial literacy.

"We are honored that the Chicago Public Library is expanding access to the Morningstar Investment Research Center, providing individual investors with our data, research tools, and analysis," said Kunal Kapoor, president of individual software at Morningstar. "This agreement will provide members of the community with greater access to information about their investments, be it from their homes, their local coffee shops, or their neighborhood library branches."

"Chicago Public Library is thrilled to be able to offer patrons free access to this valuable investment information resource with the convenience and privacy of using it from home or work.  Morningstar is a trusted resource used by thousands of investors and we are proud to include it in the library's free online resources," said Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey.

Chicago Public Library patrons will be able to access the Morningstar Investment Research Center via a log-in on the CPL website using their library card number. For more information about the Morningstar Investment Research Center, please visit http://library.morningstar.com/mkt/mircdemo.htm.

About Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offers an extensive line of Internet, software, and print-based products and services for individuals, financial advisors, and institutions. Morningstar provides data on approximately 380,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 5 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. The company has operations in 26 countries.

About Chicago Public Library

The Chicago Public Library continues to encourage lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through materials, programs and cutting-edge technology.

The Chicago Public Library is comprised of the Harold Washington Library Center, two regional libraries and more than 70 neighborhood branches. All locations provide free access to a rich collection of books, DVDs, audio books and music; the Internet and WiFi; newspapers and magazines; and sophisticated research databases, many of which can be accessed from a home or office computer. Each location continues to serve as a cultural center, presenting the highest quality author discussions, exhibits, and programs for children, teens, and adults. The Harold Washington Library Center, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library and Conrad Sulzer Regional Library are open seven days a week, the branch libraries are open six days a week and patrons can access all of the library's collections online 24 hours a day.

©2011 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE Morningstar, Inc.