Texas vast rural areas.
A growing and increasingly diverse population.
High poverty rates.
Increasing reliance on electronic information.
These trends present special challenges for library services. TexShare
provides a valuable solution through its program of resource sharing
among Texas libraries. The program stretches local budgets, erases
distance barriers and levels the playing field so that all Texans
have access to the information they want and need.
The TexShare Database Program (TexShare) provides a wealth of electronic
database resources to over 600 libraries in the state. In the following
pages, you will find a Communication Plan (CommPlan) outlined for
the TexShare databases. Many stakeholders ideas are represented
in this document. The CommPlan identifies stakeholder roles and
responsibilities, and sets goals and strategies for building greater
public awareness of the databases. It is also designed to increase
utilization of the databases so that TexShare more fully reaches
its potential.
Public and academic library directors (50 in total) polled in a
telephone survey conducted between July 8 and July 19, 2002 (see
Exhibit A); and
the CommPlan contractor, Center for Media Training, Inc. of Austin.
Libraries fulfill an important role in society. They link us to
vast amounts of high quality, useful information and provide books,
music, periodicals, journals, tapes, videos, and electronic databases.
Libraries are critical to an educated populace, not only for youngsters
during years of schooling, but for life long learners as well.
When researching topics, finding too much information can be as
bad as too little. People looking for reference material can be
overwhelmed by the amount of data. Librarians are navigators
they help people find the right information when they cant
on their own. And then they teach these folks how to do it for themselves
the next time.
The proliferation of Internet sites makes it increasingly important
to locate reference sources that are accurate, relevant and timely.
Libraries, and especially librarians, are critical links in connecting
computer users to age-appropriate and well-researched information.
TexShare exists as a cooperative program for improving library
service to Texans. Members include public libraries that belong
to regional library systems, academic libraries, and libraries of
clinical medicine. TexShare enables these libraries to offer a broader
range of materials and services than any single library could provide.
Specifically, the TexShare electronic databases provide some of
the more powerful research tools available today. Theyre available
24 hours a day in the homes or offices of registered patrons of
participating libraries. Sixty databases are included; they provide
full-text articles from encyclopedias, almanacs, journals and newspapers.
Entire books can even be read while on-line. Database topics include
homework help for students, health information, business information,
biography and genealogy, as well as literature and archival information.
The idea that electronic resources could be shared among hundreds
of library institutions -- at significant cost savings -- was recognized
over fourteen years ago.
Texas academic library directors first proposed an academic statewide
resource-sharing project in 1988. TexShare was funded in Fiscal
Year 1994 under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
TexShare members Texas A&M University and the University of
Houston administered the new program while under contract with THECB.
These two institutions, along with Amigos Library Services, provided
the initial vision and dedication needed to manage the new program
during the following two years. The 53 publicly supported four-year
academic and medical libraries were the original TexShare members.
The online database program was a cornerstone of the TexShare consortium
and included access to five databases (ABI Inform, Periodicals Abstracts,
ERIC, Commerce Business Daily and the Federal Register). A database
access fee was assessed to members that elected to participate in
the database program. The fee was based on library size. Member
assessments accounted for 25% of the database subscription costs;
the remaining 75% of the costs were paid for with state funding.
Additional database offerings were available through the TexSelect
program. Libraries paid the full subscription costs of TexSelect
databases, but benefited from discounts that were available because
of consortial pricing.
During the 1995-1997 biennium, program development continued. Administration
duties were transferred over to the University of Texas at Austin
in Fiscal Year 1996, and Amigos Library Services continued to provide
support. The Texas Library Associations legislative program
promoted increased funding and expanded membership. This effort
culminated in HB 2721 (75th Session) that expanded TexShare membership
to independent academic institutions and community colleges. In
addition, TexShare was established as a program of the Texas State
Library and Archives Commission in Fiscal Year 1998, although it
continued to be administered by contract to Amigos and UT/Austin
at this time. Another round of legislation allowed for the merger
of the TexShare funds with the TSLAC database funds for collective
purchasing. At the time the funds were merged (FY 2000/2001), the
state was spending approximately $2.9 million annually for database
subscriptions.
Meanwhile, public libraries were provided database access through
a separate program, the Texas State Electronic Library (TSEL). Public
libraries had access to many more databases, including all of the
databases available through OCLC's First Search and the Encyclopedia
Britannica. Due to less proliferation of Internet and database access
technologies in public libraries, use was not as widespread as in
the academic libraries and remote use was not implemented at all.
Over time, the number and variety of public library databases also
grew, and joint agreements with the academic libraries of TexShare
were negotiated. Participating libraries paid no fees for the databases.
The 1997-1999 biennium brought several changes. During the 76th
Session, HB 1433 was passed. This brought public libraries into
the TexShare fold. In Fiscal Year 2000, the State Library assumed
full administrative responsibility for TexShare with Amigos and
UT/Austin continuing their roles as Strategic Partners. These partners
contracted to operate the TExpress courier service and TexShare
technical Web support services, respectively.
With the influx of an extra $7 million in funding from a Telecommunications
Infrastructure Fund Board (TIF) grant, the opportunity to build
a premier, consolidated database program presented itself. The TexShare
Electronic Information Working Group (EIWG) was charged with making
database recommendations to the TSLAC. TSLAC surveyed member libraries
for the content categories desired. Survey results were tabulated
by type of library (public, four-year, community college, medical)
and as a TexShare-wide total.
EIWG met to determine factors important to include on a Request
for Information (RFI) for databases. A major goal was to deliver
full text information 24 hours a day to the citizens of Texas. On
June 15, 2001, 60 databases became available for both academic and
public libraries.
A demonstration remote access project was begun in August of 2001.
Libraries were able to provide log-ins and passwords for patrons
that wanted to access the databases from outside of the library.
The Customized Gateway program is currently replacing this demonstration
project. It was begun on April 2002 after three months of testing
with a select group of libraries. The Customized Gateway Program
provides libraries with a unique Web address, unique login and password,
and unique Web page that includes the library's name, address, and
reference desk telephone number.
Most recently, TexShare informational materials were added to the
Texas State Library's Press Pass page in June 2002.A listing of
the databases with descriptions are found at Exhibit
B.
Over 70% of the public librarians in our July telephone survey
and all of the academic librarians rated access to the databases
from important to critical for their patrons.
Similarly, nearly 60% of the public libraries and all of the academic
libraries reported they actually use the databases either frequently
or all the time.
In the first year of the expanded database program, July 1, 2001
to June 30, 2002,
estimates reveal that the 634 libraries participating in the Program
would have paid $602,022,000 to purchase the database subscriptions
and e-book collection that were purchased by TSLAC (through a grant
from TIF) for under $11,000,000.
The database subscriptions, if purchased individually, would have
cost participating libraries over $129 million. The e-book collection
would have cost these libraries more than $473 million. Additional
cost avoidance figures for 2001-2002 by size and type of library
are shown on Exhibit C.
Database and e-book costs are expected to increase each year. Stakeholders
should be aware that the reported levels of cost avoidance can only
be retained if funding for the Program increases proportionately.
Challenges for Accomplishing
Plan Goals
Texans have a wealth of information at their fingertips through
access to TexShare databases, but not all Texans know about it.
In addition, not all libraries are making full use of these resources.
Several communication challenges were identified during the course
of our work:
- It was noted that librarians dont always inform patrons
about the existence of the databases. In our survey, respondents
mentioned the problem of having very limited time to work closely
with patrons.
- Many libraries use their own gateway pages; patrons accessing
the services are not aware they are using a component of TexShare.
- Lack of knowledge about specific databases was also mentioned
as an obstacle for librarians. As mentioned elsewhere in this
report, the need for further training at the local level is apparent.
- Signage is not in place to help advertise TexShare. Further,
in some libraries only reference librarians have access to databases
on their computers.
- Explaining TexShare in terms everyone can understand is very
difficult.
- Finally, funding is limited for public awareness activities
across the state.
Priorities for TexShare Database Program
Continued access to TexShare databases is clearly a high priority
for many in the library community. A number of needs or challenges
for TexShare have been identified as part of the planning process:
-
Stable, recurring funding with built-in annual increases. This
implies that funding will become available apart from the Telecommunications
Infrastructure Fund, or TIF.
- Greater visibility of TexShare by librarians and end users.
- Better understanding by librarians of TexShares offerings
as a result of additional training and communication at local
levels.
- Outreach strategies to garner potential users with an emphasis
on developing and distributing informational materials.
- Clear and simple communication
- Ways to make TexShare even more relevant to users.
- Effective sharing of information with legislators, especially
rural representatives, on the value of databases for their constituents.
- Method for establishing brand identity.
- Stronger partnerships with stakeholders.
- More emphasis on collecting data about usage. The current state
of technology has limited TexShares ability to collect usage
information. As an example, libraries with remote access web pages
and proxy servers can calculate their database hits.
Facilities using the generic gateway cannot figure the numbers
of users.
Timeline of the Communication Plan
Successfully executing the recommendations contained in this CommPlan
will likely take more than a year. Groups of stakeholders are invited
to participate at varying levels. The CommPlan is expected to commence
in September 2002, build momentum throughout the 78th legislative
session, and continue into the Fall 2003
Important Dates for Consideration
Fall 2002
September 3, 2002
Start Date for TexShare Communication Plan
September, 2002
Legislative Budget Board meetings
National Library Card Sign-up Month
November 6, 2002
Election results
Winter 2002-2003
January 14, 2003
Texas Legislature convenes
January, 2003
Legislative Committee meetings
February 12, 2003
TLA Legislative Day in Austin
Spring 2003
April 1April 4, 2003
TLA Annual Conference in Houston
April, 2003
Legislative Conference Committee meetings
April 6 - 12, 2003
National Library Week
Summer 2003
July 21, 2003
Annual Assembly
Roles and Responsibilities
The following roles and responsibilities are proposed in order
to achieve CommPlan goals and clarify the functions of various stakeholders:
TexShare Advisory Board
Provides oversight of CommPlan implementation
Develops goals for increasing the public awareness of TexShare
Sets priorities and task assignments
Communicates regarding roles and responsibilities to stakeholders
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Coordinates development and implementation of CommPlan
Develops written informational pieces and website pages to explain
TexShare databases
Provides information to TLA as requested for their advocacy efforts
Serves as central source of library information regarding TexShare
Issues librarian toolkits such as press releases, posters, and bookmarks
Measures/collects information on how well the CommPlan is succeeding
Delivers training to local libraries regarding TexShare
TexShare Working Groups
Serve as catalysts for developing training and promotional
materials
Recommend measurement statistics to be gathered around the CommPlan
initiatives
Identify educational material to share with library partners
10 Regional Library Systems
Serve as primary communication channels to public libraries statewide
Report on successful press relations and public awareness activities
of TexShare at regional meetings
Provide regular (four to six times in fiscal year) reports to
TSLAC about public awareness activities
Collaborate with other stakeholders to produce public awareness
program materials
Deliver training to local libraries regarding TexShare
Texas Library Association
Serves as a key communication channel to provide information
to librarians
Coordinates providing information to legislators, agencies and
committees
Promotes TexShare databases at meetings and conferences
Develops media, such as television and radio spots, to promote
databases
Publishes related articles in magazine and newsletters
Public librarians
Promote greater use of TexShare databases by patrons
Design local public education programs around TexShare database
tools
Reach out to the community through targeted media relations
Participate in continued education centered on the databases
Report summaries of communication activities to Regional Library
Systems
Academic librarians
Promote greater use of TexShare databases by faculty,
staff and students
Design educational programs around TexShare databases
Contact administrators regarding the value of the Program
Academic Library Associations
Serve as communication point for targeted email messages
Adopt suggested CommPlan tactics and promote them to members
Report summary of communication activities to TSLAC
TexShare Strategic Partners
Support TexShare communication efforts through specific channels,
such as electronic discussion lists, TexShare website, and TAE
Gazette.
Friends of Libraries and Archives of Texas
Adopt suggested CommPlan tactics and promote them to
members
Assist librarians in serving as advocates for TexShare
Medical librarians
Promote greater use of TexShare databases by health professional
Design educational programs around TexShare databases
Texas Education Agency/ Texas Library Connection
Discuss information about TexShare with school librarians
Provide tools to schools for use in annual teacher training, PTA,
and other forums
Promote the Program in its magazines and conferences
Make note of TexShare resources on its website
Collaborate with other stakeholders to produce public awareness
materials
Coordinate training materials as a joint TEA/TSLAC effort
-- for school librarians on the use of TexShare databases and the
relationship between TexShare and the Texas Library Connection
Other groups that are recommended for participation in CommPlan
activities:
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors of Texas
Association of Texas Colleges and Universities
Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas
Texas Medical Association
Texas Association of Community Colleges
Texas Association of College Teachers
Texas Junior College Teachers Association
Texas Association of School Boards
Parent Teacher Associations
Texas Distance Learning Association
Texas Computer Education Association
Texas Council of Community/Junior
College Librarians
Texas Council of State University
Librarians
Texas Municipal League
Council of Governments
Chambers of Commerce
Economic Development agencies
These organizations will be invited to help build public awareness
of TexShare through their websites, publications, and conferences.
Key Messages
The Texas Library Association is using the following phrase as
an identifying tag line in their public relations efforts relating
to the databases:
Beyond the Internet
In TLAs commercial, theyve used the line similarly:
Electronic information beyond the Internet
TLAs efforts present an opportunity for implementation in
the TexShare CommPlan. The tag line could be used in all public
awareness materials to help explain TexShare.
Participating stakeholders have created the following key messages
for use in spreading the good news about TexShare databases:
Concerning advocacy by librarians across the State:
Librarians have the know-how and commitment to help patrons learn
to use the TexShare databases. Its important to spread the
word so that these rich information resources remain available
for all Texans.
Advocate for TexShare
or lose it!
Want to take some weight off your shoulders and be a hero in
your hometown? Without spending a dime, you can immediately expand
your library resources. How? Learn to use and promote the TexShare
electronic databases.
Message directed to librarians:
With so many websites at our fingertips, its important
to offer informative, age-appropriate information people can count
on. TexShare databases expand the information found in the reference
section of your library through the power of the Internet. Electronic
information is key to library services now -- and in the future.
Messages directed to members of the public:
With so many websites available at our fingertips, its
important to find information we can count on. The Texas State
Library wants everyone to know that more than 60 electronic databases
are available free of charge at their local libraries. Whether
looking for medical information, writing school reports, or checking
stock quotes, these valuable resources have the information Texans
need.
Using electronic information FREE at your local library can enrich
your life. Whether youre looking for tips about caring for
a pet hamster, your family history or stock quotes, databases
are available there to provide accurate and timely answers. Discover
the world at your library!
Messages regarding costs and cost savings:
TexShare helps everyone obtain information needed for education,
lifelong learning, and economic development in a very cost-effective
way. Through TexShare, state government can provide huge services
to citizen for pennies per person.
Through TexShare electronic databases, you touch the lives of
over 17,900,000 public library users for only $1.63 per user per
year.
Funding is secured for TexShare through August 2003. An additional
grant through August 2004 has been requested from TIF. Its
important for the future of TexShare to secure stable funding
through August 2005 and 2006: this will take $10 million and $12
million, respectively.
Other sound bites that have been identified:
The Library without Walls!
Closing the digital divide that kept many Texans from obtaining
credible, reliable information.
Comprehensive electronic library services where, when, and
how users need them.
Outreach Strategies for Building Greater
Awareness of TexShare
There is a pressing need to share information statewide about the
benefits of the TexShare databases. The purpose of this CommPlan
is to spread the positive story of the Program to a wide variety
of stakeholders, thereby reaching a diverse group of constituents.
Communication tactics outlined below address this need while
recognizing the arena of limited staffing, short timelines, tight
budgets and government requirements.
Objective: Create an implementation task force
Task: Create a task force to help coordinate and carry out public
awareness functions outlined in this CommPlan. Volunteers will
be solicited from throughout the state -- and will represent a
variety of stakeholder groups to help energize the library
community around CommPlan objectives and goals.
To be performed by: TexShare Advisory Board with input from
TSLAC and TLA
Objective: Provide current, comprehensive information templates
and toolkits that can be easily customized to share with a wide
variety of audiences
Task: Determine priorities for developing materials for selected
audiences.
To be performed by: TSLAC and TexShare Working Groups
Task: Write an outline of talking points and facts for use in
media interviews and speech making
To be performed by: TSLAC and TLA
Task: Develop a library computer screen saver program that compares
the TIF phone bill charges and what those amounts buy in library
resources. Emphasize the business references, government services,
genealogy, healthcare, and other resources in the databases.
To be performed by: TSLAC and TLA
Task: Provide information and assistance to TLA as requested
for their advocacy efforts.
To be performed by: All stakeholder groups
Task: Prepare informational messages about the Press Pass website
a source for press releases, brochures, bookmarks, logos
and fact sheets. Develop posters for display.
To be performed by: TSLAC
Task: Design a PowerPoint presentation that explains the Program
for use in presentations to community groups.
To be performed by: TSLAC
Objective: Build greater brand awareness of TexShare electronic
databases
Task: Place more prominent icons or links on local library websites
To be coordinated by: TSLAC
Task: Organize student orientation classes and library tours
To be performed by: Academic librarians at local levels; local
public librarians with help from Regional Library Systems.
Task: Place informational articles in student newspapers
To be performed by: Academic librarians in concert with TSLAC
Task: Build stronger relationships with local school librarians
emphasizing that TexShare stakeholders recognize the importance
of TLC. Query them as to what can be done do to help both programs
get the word out to more parents.
To be performed by: School librarians, TSLAC, TEA
Task: Add signage to computer workstations in libraries
posters, flyers
To be performed by: Librarians based on toolkit from TSLAC
Task: Send informational notices to faculty members at start
of each semester
To be performed by: Academic librarians
Task: Send an electronic newsletter to patrons 2-4 times a year
To be performed by: Librarians in concert with Regional Systems
and TSLAC
Task: Provide ongoing one-on-one or small classes for library
patrons on database searching that highlights TexShare resources
To be performed by: Public librarians in concert with Regional
Systems and academic librarians
Task: Speak to community groups on topics such as genealogy,
history and business applications
To be performed by: Librarians in concert with the TexShare
Advisory Board. Several presentations with handouts should be
developed for easy use as part of the TSLAC toolkit.
Objective: Assist librarians in informing key decision makers
about the value of their services, including electronic databases
Task: Prepare informational materials for distribution to librarians.
To be performed by: TLA
Task: Send messages about TexShare needs to academic listservs
along with access links for promotional materials. Request that
academicians advocate the value of the program to school administrators.
To be performed by: Academic librarians and TLA
Task: At the fall membership meeting of the regional systems,
include an agenda item about TexShare. Have TSLAC provide toolkits,
templates and other informational material to meeting participants.
Invite members to contact libraries statewide and distribute TexShare
information to them.
To be performed by: Regional Systems with assistance from TSLAC
Task: Have a Communication Plan event in January involving 75%
of libraries. Encourage each library to talk to at least one community
group.
To be performed by: Local libraries in concert with Regional
Systems, TLA, TSLAC, and TexShare Advisory Board
Objective: Provide training opportunities that focus on the
value of the databases, best practices, mentoring and train-the-trainer.
Task: Provide one-on-one training of library staff
To be performed by: Regional library systems, academic librarians,
TEA, and TSLAC.
Task: Provide alternate means of training of library staff, to
include listservs, videoconferencing, online learning, special
training in conjunction with vendors.
To be performed by: TSLAC, Regional library systems, academic
librarians, TEA
Objective: Identify community groups that could benefit from
the services of TexShare: identify their information needs and communicate
how the databases can assist them by providing articles, illustrations,
conference programs, and exhibit booths.
Task: Prepare a flyer with graphics demonstrating the cost savings
for communities based on use of Program resources. Flyer will
be distributed as a handout to community groups.
To be performed by: TSLAC
Task: Develop messages for community network websites that target
broader populations of potential users of the databases, especially
in rural areas
To be performed by: Local librarians based on TSLAC toolkit
Task: Contact local medical societies and ask for their help
in getting the word out in the community
To be performed by: Local librarians, librarians from clinical
medicine libraries
Objective: Identify and integrate databases into specific community
uses
Task: Create subject bibliography of databases based on the needs
of various elements of the community
To be performed by: TSLAC
Task: Build awareness with city personnel and elected council
members utilizing current working relationships and Texas Municipal
League members
To be performed by: Local public librarians in concert with
TLA
Task: Investigate the value of sharing information about the
program with intergovernmental agencies such as the Public Utility
Commission
To be performed by: TLA
Task: Contact chambers of commerce to provide information regarding
business research applications
To be performed by: Local librarians
Objective: Collect and disseminate stories of how the databases
have changed lives
Task: Collect and share success stories from users by email or
on a selected website.
To be performed by: TSLAC, Regional Library Systems, TLA, and
academic library groups
Objective: Educate the staff aides of legislators on the value
of the databases for their own research needs and the needs of their
constituents
Task: Develop a template and offer customized web pages for legislative
aides
To be performed by: TSLAC
Task: Provide selected training and demonstrations to legislative
staff as requested
To be performed by: TLA and TSLAC
Task: Identify friends of TexShare who will spread the benefit
message
To be performed by: TLA, TSLAC and TexShare Advisory Board
Objective: Conduct media relations campaign
Task: Contact local media representatives (TV, radio, newspaper,
magazine) to pitch stories about how patrons are using TexShare
databases to find information about their families, health issues
and business needs
To be performed by: Local librarians based on phone scripts,
press releases and fax alerts developed by TSLAC
Task: Contact local media representatives (TV and radio) to request
guest appearances on morning/noon news or call-in talk shows
To be performed by: Local librarians based on phone script
and fax alert developed by TSLAC
Task: Edit portions of TLAs 30-second video to produce
TV and radio public service announcements (PSA)
To be performed by: TLA with distribution to interested local
librarians willing to shop the PSA to their local
stations.
Task: Edit portions of TLAs 30-second video to produce
b-roll (background video footage) to encourage television newsrooms
to do stories on TexShare
To be performed by: TLA with distribution to interested local
librarians willing to shop the b-roll to their local
stations.
Task: Write stock articles about TexShare and coordinate publication
of these in trade association magazines and newsletters
To be performed by: TSLAC for the larger circulation trade
magazines
Task: Write guest articles for community-based magazines. These
magazines are health-related or community-focused publications
that accept short information articles about topics related to
their region.
To be performed by: Local librarians based on TSLAC samples
Task: Write op-eds for local newspapers. Op-eds are published
on the editorial page of local papers. They typically run 600
words or less and advocate a position on a topic of social concern.
Often they are bylined by community leaders or legislators.
To be performed by: Local librarians based on TSLAC samples
Task: Seek to meet with the editorial board of the local newspaper
to promote your program ideas in hopes theyll write
an editorial about it
To be performed by: Local librarians based on TSLAC samples
Task: Hold promotional events connected to specially designated
days like National Library Card Sign-up Month
To be performed by: Local librarians
How to Track Success
In our telephone survey, librarians expressed a readiness to more
effectively promote TexShare to their patrons. Despite time constraints,
more than half of the library directors we contacted stated they
would allocate from one to 20 hours a month to do so. All agreed
they would be willing to update TSLAC by email of their promotional
activities.
It is important for the grass roots efforts encouraged in this
CommPlan to be reported on a regular basis to a central source.
One possibility for this would be a brief monthly email requesting
a listing of outreach activities performed that month and the estimated
number of impressions made for each activity.
Additional benchmarks should be considered at the outset of the
plan:
- Secure funding for TexShare for state fiscal year 2004
- 100% of academic libraries and 80% of public libraries will
provide links to the TexShare databases including the TexShare
logo from their library Web pages by August 31, 2003
- Database usage statistics will indicate over 16,322,000 sessions
in state fiscal year 2002, and over 17,000,000 sessions in state
fiscal years 2003 and 2004
- Increase the number of public libraries with populations of
25,000 or less that offer remote access to the database program
by enrolling 25% of public libraries in towns with populations
less than 25,000 in the remote access service by August 31, 2003
- Target brand impressions of 1 million by December 2003
Recommendations
Given the scope of the CommPlan and the heavy lifting
that will be required by many of the stakeholders, it is recommended
that objectives and related tasks be assigned according to priority.
We recommend the following priorities for Year One:
Quarter 1 September 1 to November 30, 2002
Create implementation task force Develop priority list for public
awareness materials Produce materials, articles, talking points,
fact sheets Provide information to TLA as needed to meet its goals
Provide short email newsletters to librarians regarding upcoming
communication plan activities (this is priming the pump); include
success stories to build motivation
Provide additional training to librarians
Invite librarians to promote TexShare databases as part of National
Library Card Sign-up Month in September; send press releases to
print media
Invite academic librarians to inform their administrators
Quarter 2 December 1, 2002 to February 28,
2003
Promote the use of the new screen icons (links to databases and
TexShare logo) at library access points
Involve academic librarians and faculty for start
of spring semester
Promote public library events showcasing TexShare across the
state during
the month of January
Place flyers/signage at library access points
Promote library tours and classes to be provided by librarians
Provide additional training to librarians
Assist in education of legislative staff about TexShare
Identify community groups that could benefit from
TexShare Disseminate more stories of how citizens have benefited
from TexShare Edit TLA video for use in PSAs and television
footage
Begin outreach efforts to local media
Quarter 3 March 1 to May 31, 2003
Plan special events for National Library Week in April; invite
the media Book speaking engagements with community groups Design
PowerPoint presentation
Develop messages for community network websites
Contact local medical societies Contact Chambers of Commerce
Educate legislative staff aides as requested Write guest articles
for periodicals Write op-ed article Continue outreach efforts
to local media
Quarter 4 June 1 to August 31, 2003
Continue outreach to local media Promote summer student classes
and additional library tours Develop articles for student newspapers
Prepare tasks for start of academic year
Develop electronic newsletter content -- for librarians to send
to patrons two to four times per year
Seek out a local editorial board visit
EXHIBIT A
Fifty interviewees were contacted randomly from the
public and academic/medical library directors whose libraries are
enrolled in the database portion of TexShare.
Telephone Survey Results from Public Libraries 34 total
responses
1. How important is access to the TexShare databases for your library/patrons?
Not at all-1
Somewhat important-9
Important-7 Very important-8
Critical-9
2. How much does your library use the TexShare databases?
Not at all-4
Rarely-2
Occasionally-7
Frequently-11
All the time-9
Not applicable-1
3. What are some ways users of your library can become more aware
of the TexShare
electronic databases? (Indicate all that apply)
Icon/link on web site-5
Library tours-2
Relationship with local schools-3
Local media-6
Signage in library (posters, flyers, bookmarks)-9
Response to requests from patrons (one-on-ones)-13
4. What can librarians (or others on the local level) do to help
get the word out? (Indicate all that apply)
Develop a relationship with local schools-5 One-on-ones with
library users-18
Publicize in local media-3
Word of mouth-2
Promote with local groups-2
Library tours and information-8
Link to web site-3
5. What roles would you, your staff -- or others on the local
level -- be willing to take to
raise awareness and use of the databases?
Respond to user requests-10
Notify local media-4
Educate and notify local school faculty and staff-3
Library tours and information-3
Publicize in general-5
Speak with local groups-5
6. What resources would you need?
Posters-16
Bookmarks-19
Press releases-25
Flyers-4
More internal training for staff-3
Ability to link to web site-1
7. What obstacles would you encounter in talking about the databases
to library users, community or school groups, the media and others
(Indicate all that apply?)
None-9
Time-9
Knowledge of specific databases (need increased internal training)-18
Connection issues-1
8. How many hours a month could you/your staff realistically set
aside to do this?
1-10 hours-23
10-20 hours-0
20-30 hours-1
30-40 hours-0
Over 40 hours-6
Dont know-4
9. Would you or a staff member be willing to update us by email
of your librarys promotional activities?
Yes-34
No-0
Selected Comments:
The databases are one of the most wonderful things libraries
have to offer. Wed hate to lose funding.
Our users are focused mainly on Internet use rather than database
use.
We were able to get rid of years worth of back issues
of periodicals. Space is a critical issue; this has been a godsend.
It saves time and space and the information is credible.
Weve lost Internet access due to a lawsuit, but we feel
its a wonderful resource and well use it again in the
future.
Its very easy to use.
I think the databases are wonderful and so helpful. We can provide
information that people need.
We appreciate access to the databases so much. Its way
beyond our budget and we wouldnt have this access without
it.
Telephone Survey Results from Academic Libraries 16 total
responses
1. How important is access to the TexShare databases for your library/patrons?
Not at all-0
Somewhat important-0
Important-0
Very important-3
Critical-13
2. How much does your library use the TexShare databases?
Not at all-0
Rarely-0
Occasionally-0
Frequently-6
All the time-10
3. What are some ways users of your library can become more aware
of the TexShare electronic databases?
Icon/link on website-7
Student orientation classes/library tours-15
Notification of faculty-15
Articles in college newspaper-2
Signage in library (posters, flyers)-3
Electronic newsletters-2
4. What can librarians (or others on the local level) do to help
get the word out?
Notify faculty-15
One-on-ones with library users-15
Publicize in other ways (newspaper, electronic newsletters)-3
5. What roles would you, your staff -- or others on the local level
-- be willing to take to raise awareness and use of the databases?
Respond to user requests-16
Notify college newspapers-3
Educate and notify faculty and staff-16
Library tours and orientation-16
6. What resources would you need?
Posters-7
Bookmarks-7
Press releases-6
Flyers-2
Increased internal training for staff-4
Ability to link to web site-2
7. What obstacles would you encounter in talking about the databases
to library users, community or school groups, the media and others?
None-11
Time-2
Knowledge of specific databases (need increased internal training)-2
Connection issues-1
8. How many hours a month could you/your staff realistically set
aside to do this?
1-10 hours-1
10-20 hours-3
20-30 hours-2
30-40 hours-1
Over 40 hours-5
Dont know-4
9. Would you or a staff member be willing to update us by email
of your librarys promotional activities?
Yes-16
No-0
Selected Comments:
We wouldnt have the quality of databases if we didnt
have TexShare, but people dont really know theyre TexShare.
They just see the end product.
Access has been an issue during the year due to maintenance.
We fear wed be in great trouble if we lose our access.
TexShare is one of the most important developments for Texas libraries,
but it takes time to teach people.
There is no end to the neatness of this program. Wed be
happy to do a testimonial or do a demonstration.
We need press releases before September.
One problem weve had is access only on campus.
TexShare has allowed us to provide services equal to that of
the largest colleges. We appreciate the databases so much.
EXHIBIT B
TexShare Databases
Alphabetical Listing
July 2002
Academic Search Premier Full-text database of peer-reviewed
academic journals, covering nearly all areas of study: social sciences,
humanities, education, computer sciences, engineering, language
and linguistics, arts & literature, medical sciences, ethnic
studies, etc. Full-text articles obtained from over 3,430 scholarly
publications, and abstracts and indexing for nearly 3,930 scholarly
journals.
Alternative Health Watch Covers thousands of alternative
health remedies such as kava root, saw palmetto, ginkgo biloba,
acupuncture, Chinese medicine, homeopathy, neutraceuticals, massage
therapy, and much more. The database contains over 50,000 complete
articles, quarterly updates of over 4,000 articles, and thousands
of embedded images. Includes full-text articles from more than 170
international peer-reviewed and professional journals, magazines,
reports, proceedings, association & consumer newsletters (most
from 1990 to the present), plus hundreds of pamphlets, booklets,
special reports, original research and book excerpts. Searching
for the information can be achieved by typing in a city, a state,
a collection name, or library name.
ArchivesUSA - The ArchivesUSA® database provides records
and detailed indexes about original source materials housed in over
5,400 US archival libraries, including information about materials
from over 118,000 manuscript and other special collections.
Use this database to read descriptions of each library's collection
and to find each library's contact information. Contains the contents
of National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC), National
Inventory of Documentary Sources (NIDS) and Directory of Archives
and Manuscript Depositories in the United States (DAMRUS).
Biography & Genealogy Master Index - Contains biographical
information on people from all time periods, geographical locations,
and fields of study. Find biographies on authors, scientists, sports
professionals, actors and many more. Points users to over 12 million
citations compiled from more than 1500 publications where biographies
can be found. Look up information on everyone from Alexander Hamilton
to Emilio Zapata.
Books in print.com Web access to the world's largest
book, audiobook, and video database. Find title, author, ISBN number,
subject and publisher information for over 4 million books, along
with over 600,000 full-text reviews for many titles. Advanced search
capabilities and features provide maximum flexibility, such as allowing
librarians to search their library's catalog directly, order selected
titles for their collection or place inter-library loans. Features
such as the "Children's Room" allow search by age and
reading level.
Business and Company Resource Center - Find dynamic and
up-to-date industry and company intelligence on public and private
U.S. and international companies. Displays company profiles, including
parent/sibling relationships, as well as industry rankings, products
and brands, histories and chronologies, news, articles and press
releases from over 2000 publications. Also find consumer marketing
data, emerging technology reports, current investment reports, financial
ratios and much more. Find contact information for a company in
your area using the geographic location search option.
Business Source Premier This full-text database is
designed to help people find information on all aspects of the business
world. Full-text is offered for nearly 2,500 scholarly business
journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international
business and much more. Periodicals ranging from Business Week,
Forbes, Fortune and American Banker to journals such
as Harvard Business Review, Journal of Management, Academy of
Management Review, and many more can all be found in this database.
Dun & Bradstreet's Company Directory is also included.
Also included are indicative abstracts and indexing for over 3,030
business journals, nearly 880 of which are peer reviewed. This database
also includes Country Monitor and Industry Yearbook Reports from
WEFA and 35 country reports from the Economist Intelligence Unit
(EIU).
Business Wire News Updated daily, Business Wire News
provides comprehensive full-text for 35 international newswires
and 49 regional business publications. Contains the most recent
30 days of information from each of the wire sources. This database
also provides abstracts and indexing for 14 additional regional
business publications including A&G Information, Africa News
Service, Inter Press Service, Resource News International, South
American Business, M2 Communications, PR Newswire, Business Newswire,
Canadian Corporate News, News Bytes, News Network and Phillips
Business Information Highlights.
Computer Source: Consumer Edition Contains information
about the latest trends in high technology. Includes valuable information
on such topics as computers, telecommunications, the Internet, and
electronics. Features 250 full-text periodicals, with abstract and
indexing for over 330 titles. Kept up to date with the latest in
technology trends.
EBSCO Animals A database with over 2,200 entries
about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and dinosaurs.
Ideal for elementary, junior and high school students that need
information on the class, kingdom, phylum of an animal or its habits,
habitat, or reproductive rituals.
EBSCOhost en español (interfaz en español contraduccion
de los articulos) Base de datos sobre muchos temas - incluye texto
completo. Los articulos están traducidos por un programa de la computadora
del inglés.
Electric Library (eLibrary Classic Big Chalk)
This database provides a wealth of information from such diverse
areas as books, television shows, newspapers, maps, and photograph
collections. Full-text articles from popular reference books such
as Frommer's travel guides, American History textbooks, the World
Almanac, World Encyclopedia and various international business textbooks.
Newspapers and magazines from the United States, Africa, Asia, and
Europe are also included. Transcripts from such favorite television
shows as 60 minutes, Good Morning America, CNN news, Fox News, and
several National Public Radio Stations are also included. Researchers
can type a question, phrase, or keyword using either natural language
or Boolean search strategy. Relevancy, date, reading level, publication,
or source type can display results.
Encyclopedia Americana An in depth and accurate encyclopedia
on all topics relating to the history, religion, technology, geography,
and society of the United States of America. Geared for a student
in the upper grade levels (grades 7-12). 25,000,000 words of text,
3,000 images, 830 maps, 200 flags and more than 1,000 tables and
fact boxes are contained this database. Also included are links
to over 30,000 web sites previously reviewed and indexed by the
Grolier Internet Index.
Over 100,000 periodical articles can be accessed from directly
within encyclopedia entries. In addition, 6 dictionaries and thesauri
from the Houghton-Mifflin Company can be accessed, including the
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th
Ed. with audio pronunciations.
ERIC - U.S. Department of Education: A bibliographic guide
to published and unpublished sources on thousands of educational
topics, with information obtained from Resources in Education
and Current Index to Journals in Education. Designed
for teachers, students, administrators, researchers and others interested
in the field of education. Coverage is from 1966 to the present.
Contains over 983,000 records from over 2,000 titles about the educational
field. ERIC records now include full-text documents from the ERIC
Digest.
Funk and Wagnalls New Encyclopedia A student,
home and general reference encyclopedia containing 25,000 articles
that meet the needs of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Users are able to search by keyword or subject within entry.
GPO Monthly Catalog Consists of records published
by the Government Printing Office since July 1976. Coverage of all
types of U.S. government documents, including congressional reports,
hearings, debates, judiciary materials and much more. Includes references
for documents to congressional committee hearings and debates, as
well as documents from executive departments such as Defense, State,
Labor, Office of the President, etc. 522,000 records covering the
period 1976 to the present.
Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia The online version
of the Academic American Encyclopedia, written for ages 12
to adult. Offers 36,000 articles, an atlas containing 830 maps,
a gallery of 6,000 pictures, 150 national anthems that can be heard
on our computer, and a Timelines section with links to a Yearbook
section that provides details of that year's events. Also included
are links to over 30,000 web sites previously reviewed and indexed
by the Grolier Internet Index. Over 100,000 periodical articles
can be accessed from directly within encyclopedia entries. In addition,
6 dictionaries and thesauri from the Houghton-Mifflin Company can
be accessed, including the American Heritage Dictionary
of the English Language, 4th Ed. with audio pronunciations.
Health and Wellness Resource Center Instant access
to carefully compiled and trusted medical reference resources such
as Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood
and Adolescence, Harvard Special Health Reports, and PDR
Family Guide to Health and Nutrition. Key health web sites are
also listed here, as well as 2,200 general interest health publications,
and over 700 health and medical journals. Reliable information can
be found by searching under latest news, subject, or key words.
Also, includes medical reference sources for users with reading
levels of 6th grade and below such as CareNotes, Body By Design,
and Healthy Living.
Health Reference Center Academic Provides an integrated
collection of general interest health and fitness magazines, medical
and professional periodicals, reference books and pamphlets. Also,
includes a large collection of key medical journals for nursing
and allied health students and professionals. Topics included in
the collection include information about alcoholism, AIDS, fitness,
psychology, cancer, pediatrics, and much, much more. Records are
available in a combination of indexing, abstracts or full-text formats.
Health Source: Consumer Edition Authoritative information
on health related matters. The database includes searchable full-text
for more than 190 popular health magazines including Better Nutrition,
Consumer Reports on Health, Harvard Health Letter, Men's Health,
Prevention, Women's Health Weekly and many others. Find information
on remedies, nutritional guidelines, and treatments.
Search for information on health topics such as food, childcare,
general health, and sports medicine. Also included are indexing
and abstracts for over 200 general health journals, 20 reference
books, and thousands of essays covering eight major health related
subjects, and much more. USP Pharmacopoeia DI Volume II, Advice
for the Patient, Stedman's Medical Dictionary, and 1,060 health-related
pamphlets are also included.
Health Source: Nursing / Academic Edition Provides
more than 540 scholarly full-text journals focusing on many medical
disciplines, with particular emphasis on nursing and allied health
professions. Full-text is included from such journals as Issues
in Mental Health Nursing, Journal of Community Health Nursing, Journal
of Holistic Nursing, Nursing Forum, and many others.
Full text is also included from Clinical Nursing Research, Issues
in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, Issues in Mental Health Nursing,
Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, Journal of
Community Health Nursing, Journal of Family Nursing, Nursing Diagnosis,
Nursing Forum, Patient Care for the Nurse Practitioner, RN, Western
Journal of Nursing Research and many more. Also included is searchable
text for over 450 journals, indexing and abstracts for over 570
journals, and the reference volumes USP Pharmacopoeia DI: Volume
II Advice for the Lay Patient, and Stedman's Medical Dictionary.
HeritageQuest Online Provides a unique, continuously
expanding collection of research materials for tracing family lineage
and American culture. 25,000 family and local histories are already
online, and the complete US Federal Census from 1790-1930, the American
Revolutionary War Pension Applications & Bounty Land Warrant
Applications, the complete Freedman's Bank Records, and ProQuest
obituaries from more than 150 newspapers across America will all
be added soon. New enhanced digital images of every page and new
linked indexing provide comprehensive resources for genealogists
and local historians.
InfoTrac Custom Newspapers - Obtain full-text articles from
newspapers in the United States and around the world. Cover-to-cover
full-text coverage of over 120 newspapers including Austin-American
Statesman from 1996, Dallas Morning News from 1996, Houston
Chronicle from 1996, The Financial Times from 1996 and
The Times (London) since 1997, and New York Times.
Search articles by title, headline, date, author, section or other
assigned fields.
¡Informe! (Revistas en Español)-Diseñadas específicamente
para resolver las necesidades de la investigación de utilizadores
de habla hispanola. Esta base de datos tiene artículos completos
del texto de los compartimientos populares tales como Latina, Actual,
y Siempre!. La base de datos contiene muchos artículos sobre los
temas tales como ediciones culturales y de la forma de vida, salud
y crianza de los niños, la hospitalidad, políticas y sucesos actuales.
Las búsquedas se pueden hacer en inglés y español, con los nombres
del título mostrados en ambos lenguajes.
(Specifically designed to meet the research needs of Spanish speaking
users, this database has full-text articles from such popular magazines
as Latina, Actual, and Siempre!, The database contains many articles
on such subjects as cultural and lifestyle issues, health and parenting,
entertainment, politics and current events. Searches can be made
in both English and Spanish, with title names shown in both languages.)
Literature Resource Center - This all-inclusive database
contains information on both classical and contemporary authors
and their works. Obtain over 130,000 biographies of authors, bibliographies
of all they have written, over 40,000 critical essays and more than
6000 work overviews, plot summaries, and explications. Search by
the author's name, the title of the work, or even by the title of
the periodical or journal that is part of the database.
MasterFILE Premier Designed specifically for the
Public Library, MasterFILE Premier offers information on a broad
variety of subjects, including general interest, multi-cultural,
business, and much more. Provides full-text for over 1,900 popular
periodicals, including Consumer Reports and Business Week
and indexing and abstracts for an additional 2,510 journals. Also
included are searchable full-text for nearly 5,000 Magill's Book
Reviews, 20 reference books, nearly 1,400 journals with images,
the Essential Documents in American History database, and
over 1.7 million company records from Dun & Bradstreet, and
much more.
MAS FullTEXT Ultra : School Edition General periodicals
database that covers general reference, business, consumer health,
general health, general science and multi-cultural titles. Includes
over 5,000 Magill's Book Reviews; 140 Macmillan books; over
540 health and science-related pamphlets; Essential Documents in
American History; and coverage of the CIA World Factbook,
88,000 biographies, 60,000 Primary Source Documents, 92,000 photos,
flags, maps from Image Collection. Indexing and abstracts for the
New York Times and 528 other titles. Over 490 titles have
PDF and ASCII full-text cover-to-cover coverage for issues beginning
as early as 1975.
MEDLINE - Offers users access to information from all journals
indexed in the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE file. Gain
information about such fields as medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary
medicine, the health care system and pre-clinical sciences. Included
are abstracts and indexing for over 4,000 current biomedical journals
published in the U.S. and in 70 foreign countries, citations found
in Index Medicus, the International Nursing Index and
the Index to Dental Literature, additional table of contents
information for 2,400 titles, provided by the British Document Supply
Centre.
MEDline with MESH - Offers users access to information from
all journals indexed in the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE
file. Provides authoritative medical information on medicine, nursing,
dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, pre-clinical
services, and much more.
Links to full-text of over 350 full-text journals. Included are
abstracts and indexing for over 3,800 current biomedical journals
published in the U.S. and 70 foreign countries, and citations found
in Index Medicus, the International Nursing Index and
the Index to Dental Literature. Table of contents information
for 2,400 titles (provided by the British Document Supply Centre)
and a Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) index is also included.
Middle Search Plus- Middle Search Plus is designed to assist
middle and junior high school students in learning how to research
current events. The database includes searchable full-text from
over 295 of the most popular K-12 magazines, abstracts and indexing
for over 150 titles includes more than 1,250 full text pamphlets,
52 reference books, 88,000 biographies and 60,000 Primary Source
Documents.
Searchable full-text of the Christian Science Monitor, and
tables and graphs converted to ASCII text for a better understanding
of the written article. Also included are the reference books Encyclopedia
of Animals, Funk and Wagnall's New Encyclopedia, the CIA World Fact
Book, and Essential Documents in American History.
Military Library FullText - Military FullTEXT provides full
text from over 330 military and general interest publications. This
database also offers indexing and abstracts for over 370 magazines.
Some titles included are Military Review, Parameters, Army Times,
and Defense. Designed to bring current news to all branches
of the military. This database is updated weekly on EBSCOhost.
NetLibrary E-books - More than 19,000 eBooks are available
for browsing, searching, and virtual check-out. TexShare's eBook
collection includes titles from the world's leading business, technology,
trade, reference, academic, and scholarly publishers. Search by
title, author, keyword, publisher, publication date, or ISBN number.
New book of knowledge A full-featured encyclopedia
written especially for children in grades 3 and up. Contains facts
and figures, projects and experiments, literary selections, and
links to hundreds of other related web sites. Five current events
news stories are added weekly accompanied with a lesson plan to
help integrate the New Book of Knowledge into the lesson
plans of educators. Over 100,000 periodical articles can be accessed
from directly within encyclopedia entries. In addition, 6 dictionaries
and thesauri from the Houghton-Mifflin Company can be accessed,
including the American Heritage Dictionary of the English
Language, 4th Ed. with audio pronunciations.
Newspaper Source Contains cover-to-cover full text
coverage of the Christian Science Monitor, Los Angeles Times
and USA Today. Selected full-text business and news related
articles from 224 regional U.S. newspapers are provided by the Knight-Ridder/Tribune
Business and News Service Contributor Newspapers. Get the latest
late-breaking news from around the world with daily updates from
6 newspaper wire services, as well as coverage of 18 national and
international newspaper titles and 9 newspaper columns.
Nueva Enciclopedia Cumbre en Linea - A full-length online
encyclopedia designed for the Spanish-speaking peoples of the Americas,
and written from a Latin-American perspective. Over 15,000 entries
(updated three times a year), 300 maps, 6,500 illustrations (including
photographs). Another feature is the inclusion of Concise American
Heritage Spanish Dictionary.
OCLC ArticleFirst - Contains bibliographic citations that
describe items listed on the table of contents pages of over 12,000
journals in science, technology, medicine, social science, business,
the humanities, and popular culture. Each record describes one article,
news story, letter, or other item. Searches and browses over 12.7
million articles and journals tables of contents, all in one database!
Covers the time period 1990 to the present.
OCLC Electronic Collections Online - Access a collection
of over 4,000 journals in a variety of subject areas, all with full-image
articles available online. Articles are linked to corresponding
citations in databases throughout the OCLC FirstSearch service.
OCLC Union Lists of Periodicals Provides local library
holdings information for periodicals so that users can find magazines
and journals in libraries close to their area. Listings are linked
to over 8 million bibliographic records in WorldCat, the OCLC online
union catalog.
OCLC PapersFirst Covers every congress, symposium,
exposition, workshop, and meeting added to The British Library Document
Supply Centre's (BLDSC) vast proceedings collection since October
1993. Contains over 2.5 million records covering the period 1993
to the present. The BLDSC is a document supplier for the OCLC Interlibrary
Loan (ILL) service. The FirstSearch/OCLC ILL link is the best way
to obtain conference papers cited in PapersFirst.
OCLC ProceedingsFirst Provides tables of contents
of papers presented at conferences worldwide. Each record contains
a list of the papers presented at each conference. Contains over
80,000 records covering the period 1993 to the present. ProceedingsFirst
provides access to The British Library Document Supply Centre's
vast collection of conference proceedings.
Primary Search Designed for elementary schools and
children's reading rooms, this database contains World Almanac
of the USA and World Almanac for Kids, searchable full-text
from over 50 of the most popular K-12 magazines, abstracts and indexing
for over 180 titles and pamphlets. Also included are Funk and
Wagnall's New Encyclopedia, the Encyclopedia of Animals, World Almanac,
and many charts, tables and graphs converted to ASCII text in order
to retain the original meaning of featured articles.
Professional Development Collection - A valuable resource
aimed primarily at professional educators and others interested
in the field of education. Contains information on everything from
child development to theories and practices of different teaching
methods. The database includes full-text from 460 journals (150
with images), and abstract and index coverage for 545 well-known
professional development titles.
Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection A comprehensive
full text database with 480 full-text journals covering topics in
emotional and behavioral characteristics, psychiatry & psychology,
mental processes, anthropology, and much more. Includes an additional
430 peer reviewed journals with PDF images.
Religion and Philosophy Collection - Nearly 250 full-text
articles covering topics in world religions, major denominations,
biblical studies, religious history, epistemology, political philosophy,
philosophy of language, moral philosophy and the history of philosophy.
Salud Para Todos provides full text Spanish-language information
for a wide variety of medical and health-related topics. Salud Para
Todos is designed to make useful health information more readily
accessible for Spanish-speaking consumers and patients. It includes
a wealth of valuable information gained from federal and state agencies,
voluntary health associations, pharmaceutical companies, and other
health-related organizations. The easy-to-use interface allows the
researcher to quickly find the information via keyword search and/or
category searching.
Scribner writers series - Features biographies and critical
essays on a wide variety of writers, often from multiple viewpoints
to provide differing perspectives. The variety of writers profiled
includes African-American writers, Science Fiction writers, Latin
American writers, American Nature writers, and many more. One can
find research ideas from searching in the following categories:
literary prizes, early American writers, African-American women
writers, modern American poets, modern playwrights, and others.
Students, faculty, and researchers can also search by name, language,
genre, time period, and gender.
Searchasaurus Erupting volcanoes, a dinosaur guide
and compass make navigation fun for elementary to middle school
age users. In addition to keyword, natural language and subject
searching, users may select to search by hot topics from the Searchasaurus
map. Throughout the search process, the Searchasaurus dinosaur accompanies
users and offers a link to a new search or, via his compass, a link
back to the Searchasaurus map, making it easy for young users to
navigate through their searches. From the result list, users can
access complete articles from magazines, encyclopedias, books and
more. Citations indicate which articles are cover stories and whether
they include images.
Sociological collection Nearly 580 full-text articles
covering aspects of sociology, including human behavior, human tendencies,
community development, relationships, and much more. Features more
than 500 peer-reviewed journals and many PDF images.
Student Resource Center GOLD - Aimed at middle and high
school students, this database offers award winning content based
on national curriculum standards. Information for homework assignments,
research papers and essays can be found using this database of reference
materials, primary source documents, and magazines about literature,
science, history and biography.
Included are more than 85,000 biographies, essays, and overviews,
full-text articles from more than 1,100 magazines, more than 16,000
timeline event descriptions, articles from encyclopedias and almanacs,
over 20,000 photographs, maps and graphics, 41,000 primary source
documents with explanations that includes important speeches, government
documents, and memoirs excerpts. Also included country, culture,
era, and event overviews.
Texas Almanac - Provides information about the history,
culture, politics, climate, and geography of the state of Texas.
Find the official bird, tree and song of the State of Texas, as
well as information about agriculture, former governors, state parks,
population statistics, and much, much more.
Texas Digital Sanborn Maps These digitized maps provide
detailed property and land-use records that depicts the architecture
of Texas towns and cities throughout the past one hundred years.
The maps enable researchers to trace the architectural history of
individual buildings or entire communities.
See everything from building outline, size and shape, construction
materials, height, building use, windows and doors, street and sidewalk
widths, boundaries, house numbers, and more. Symbols for stables,
garages, warehouses, and other commercial sites are also included.
Factories are often labeled with the owner's name, as well as the
products manufactured there. Also depicted are pipelines, railroads,
wells, watermains, and dumps.
TOPICsearch Find topics to discuss and research in
the TOPICsearch database. This current events database covers topics
such as politics, social and economic issues, scientific discoveries
and other popular topics. Includes 50,000 documents selected by
the publisher's staff of teachers and librarians, including 3,000
diverse sources including selected full-text articles from public
opinion polls, book reviews, pamphlets, government information and
100 U.S. newspapers. Search the database by keyword, subject, topic,
or natural language.
Twaynes Authors Series Literary critical interpretation
of over 600 authors, along with the content of 600 books taken from
the series United States Authors, World Authors, and English
Authors. The series also showcases the influence the authors
had on literary movements and the development of literary genres.
Search by name, language, genre, time period, ethnicity and gender.
Twentieth Century Poetry (American and English) A
collection of poetry written by the most important and influential
American and English poets of the 20th century. 52,000 American
poems drawn from 750 volumes of 20th century poetry are available,
including works by such poets as Adrienne Rich, Andrei Codrescu,
Ezra Pound, William Carlos Williams, Denise Levertov, Wallace Stevens,
Langston Hughes, Lucille Clifton, and Cathy Song. In addition, a
collection of 594 volumes of poetry by 282 English poets from 1900
to the present day is available. Works by such English poets as
W. B. Yeats, Rudyard Kipling, Robert Graves, A. E. Housman, John
Betjeman, Fleur Adcock, Tony Harrison, Benjamin Zephaniahand Carol
Ann Duffy are included. Includes significant translations of non-English
poetry.
Ulrichsweb.com A valuable source for identifying
more than 250,000 periodicals that are published on a regular or
irregular basis, such as consumer and trade magazines, scholarly
journals, newsletters, newspapers, monographic series, and electronic
journals. Each record is highly detailed, showing a full description
of the periodical, alternative media formats and language editions,
sources of electronic access, publisher and ordering information,
refereed status, and reviews.
Links to tables of contents, article abstracts, and full text are
available for approximately 30,000 periodicals, as well as to library
holdings and subscription databases. Records may be immediately
downloaded to a hard drive or disk, emailed or printed, or flagged
and saved to an online list for later download or distribution.
What Do I Read Next? - This database includes books that
are award winners, bestsellers, or have been included in recommended
reading lists. Books are separated into eight different genres:
Science Fiction, Inspirational, Mystery, Romance, Fantasy, Horror,
Western and historical novels, and General fiction, classic fiction,
and non-fiction. More than 100,000 highly recommended titles are
included. What do I read next also does searches in the young adult,
multicultural, and children's fiction categories. Included are more
than 550 lists.
Wilson Applied Science and Technology A bibliographical
database that covers science and technology topics, including acoustics,
aeronautics, artificial intelligence, chemistry, computers, engineering,
geology, plastics, textiles, and waste management. Abstracts date
back to 1993, and indexing dates back to 1983. Over 485 technical
and scientific journals are covered.
WorldCat (the OCLC online union catalog) The worlds
most comprehensive bibliography. Includes information on the holdings
of the worlds libraries. Over 43 million records, in over
400 languages.
World Almanac Includes the full text of all of the
following Almanac titles: The World Almanac and Book of Facts,
(providing key facts on a wide variety of subjects internationally);
The World Almanac of the U.S.A. (essential facts about the
United States-current and historical); The World Almanac of US
Politics, (guidebook to federal, state, and local governments);
The World Almanac for Kids, (covering information and facts
of interest to middle-school children and teachers); and the World
Almanac Knowledge Source (a comprehensive general encyclopedia.)
EXHIBIT C
Estimated costs avoided by local libraries due to the TexShare
Database Program*
In the first year of the expanded database program (July 1, 2001
June 30,2002):
A public library serving a population under 10,000 would have paid
- $53,792 for the subscription databases.
- $800,312 for subscription databases and e-books.
A public library serving a population between 10,000 and 25,000
would have paid
- $99,234 for the subscription databases.
- $845,754 for subscription databases and e-books.
A public library serving a population between 25,000 and 50,000
would have paid
- $180,314 for the subscription databases.
- $926,834 for subscription databases and e-books.
A public library serving a population between 50,000 and 100,000
would have paid
- $286,728 for the subscription databases.
- $1,033,248 for subscription databases and e-books.
A public library serving a population between 100,000 and 200,000
would have paid
- $474,023 for the subscription databases.
- $1,220,543 for subscription databases and e-books.
A public library serving a population over 200,000
- $1,471,444 for the subscription databases.
- $2,217,964 for subscription databases and e-books.
A community college library serving an institution with under 2,000
ftes
- $98,137 for the subscription databases.
- $844,657 for subscription databases and e-books.
A community college library serving an institution with between
2,000 and 10,000 ftes
- $209,794 for the subscription databases.
- $956,314 for subscription databases and e-books.
A community college library serving an institution with over 10,000
ftes
- $654,072 for the subscription databases.
- $1,400,592 for subscription databases and e-books.
A library serving a four-year institution with under 2,000 ftes
- $137,382 for the subscription databases.
- $883,902 for
subscription databases and e-books.
A library serving a four-year institution with between 2,000 and
10,000 ftes
- $427,434 for the subscription databases.
- $1,173,954
for subscription databases and e-books.
A library serving a four-year institution with over 10,000 ftes
- $1,337,306 for the subscription databases.
- $2,083,826 for subscription databases and e-books.
State governmental agency libraries that are adjunct users of the
databases
- $226,748 for the subscription databases.
- $973,268 for subscription databases and e-books.
*Pricing figures have been provided by vendors based on the average
population of libraries in each size range.