TEXSHARE Collection Development Statement
TexShare is founded on the belief of Texas
State officials and librarians that citizen
health and well being is furthered by efficient
information exchange in all communities and
institutions where quality teaching, research
excellence, and lifelong learning are valued.
The TexShare database program seeks to help
meet the information needs of the citizens of
Texas, whether they are currently attending
the state's colleges and universities or seeking
information from their public libraries. TexShare
programs contribute to the intellectual productivity
of Texans at the participating institutions
by emphasizing access to rather than ownership
of documents and other information sources.
TexShare Core Databases
TexShare enables community colleges, universities,
libraries of clinical medicine, and public libraries
to broaden the range of materials and services
available to their patrons. TexShare’s
electronic full-text magazine and journal articles
supplement resources on the local level. Given
the diversity of Texas libraries, the program
may not meet all of the electronic information
needs of all TexShare member libraries. The
TexShare electronic resources collection will
provide access to broad multi-topic authoritative
full-text content for both advanced scholars
and the general public. When possible within
budgetary constraints, additional specialized
resources in the areas of literature, business,
current affairs, science, history, and genealogy
are selected which serve the broadest range
of citizens.
The TexShare Electronic resources are selected
through recommendations of the Electronic Information
Working Group (EIWG), which reviews products
for the TexShare program, and solicits and reviews
input from member libraries. Membership in the
Working Group is representative of TexShare
member libraries. EIWG decisions are guided
by these criteria when making decisions:
- Membership Surveys
- Usage Statistics
- Database Content
- Vendor Reliability
- Best Value
Individual Libraries can participate in the
database selection by:
- Sending comments and recommendations to
the EIWG
- Sending recommendations about databases
to TexShare staff (all comments are forwarded
to the EIWG)
- Filling out and submitting database surveys
- Sending comments throughout the statewide
database trial period to the EIWG and the
TexShare staff
Ebooks
The TexShare collection of ebooks is selected
through recommendations of the Electronic Information
Working Group (EIWG), which reviews products
for the TexShare program, and solicits and reviews
input from member libraries. Ebook purchases
are made on a subject basis and not title-by-title.
Reconsiderations are governed by local library
policy and practice. Ebook selection guidelines
are developed each year based on:
- Usage statistics
- Areas of subject need not met by other
electronic resources
- Established subject areas of collection
strength
- Titles available for consortial purchase
from publishers
TexSelect
TexShare electronic resources are supplemented
through the selection of resources to be included
as TexSelect products. TexSelect enables the
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
to utilize the aggregated purchasing power of
the state to leverage the use of local funds
to purchase databases at discounted prices.
Recommendations for TexSelect products will
be made using similar criteria and procedures
as for the TexShare Core Databases. Selection
practices for TexSelect will accommodate selections
that appeal to a smaller number of member libraries
that are highly motivated to subscribe to specialized
content. TexSelect products should be useful
in more than one type of library, or provide
unique content/indexing, and include commitment
from the vendor for renewal of TexSelect discounts
in future years. Additional criteria are:
- Significant subscription discounts
- Content that supplements what is available
in the core databases
Statement of Responsibility
The TexShare Core Databases offer access to
a wealth of material that is personally, professionally,
and culturally enriching to Texans of all ages
Professional librarians select the TexShare
core databases by a process involving a statewide
effort over an extended period of time. The
purchase of electronic databases and ebooks
by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
does not constitute an endorsement of the ideas
or opinions expressed in the content of those
databases and ebooks. Use of all library resources
is governed by local library policies and procedures.
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