Library of Texas
by Olivia Reinauer and Sara Albert
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http://www.libraryoftexas.org/
What is Library of Texas?
It is...
- an online search interface that allows users to search multiple library catalogs and databases at the same time
- offered by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission – offered by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission - the same organization that administers the TexShare program
It includes...
- 76 public library, 52 academic library, and 4 unique library catalogs
- 17 TexShare commercial databases
Some definitions:
Online (electronic) database – a collection of searchable records; includes articles from magazines, journals, newspapers, encyclopedias, and other sources; may include full text or citations and abstracts only; typically requires a subscription
TexShare – a statewide consortium of academic, public, and medical libraries intended for resource sharing; the database component of TexShare provides a selection of electronic subscription databases to member libraries at a reduced cost
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It offers...
- grouping of library catalogs by region - and lets you define your own group of favorites
- grouping of resources by 9 subject areas (including Spanish materials)
- a "get it" button to provide easy ILL requests, online resource availability, and even places to purchase items online
Why do certain libraries show up on the Search screen?
LOT rates libraries on a scale of 1 to 5, with those who have the strongest collections in a subject area getting a 5. The LOT entry page displays any library patron's five closest public and academic libraries with a strength of at least a 3, and automatically checks those with scores of 4 or better.
How does my Library join?
- Any willing TexShare library with a Z39.50 server can give the State Library
permission to share its catalog on LOT
- Your library's logo and links to your library home page and web catalog can
be included as well
How do I search Library of Texas?
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Here's a look at the easy LOT interface:
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Suppose you woke up one morning feeling like something has stung your foot.
You noticed a spider scurrying across the floor. You might want to find out more
about spider bites.
- Select Medicine and Health from the subject list on the left
- Check some nearby libraries and online databases from the list offered below
the search box
- Type "spider bite " in the search box
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EBSCO's Health Source Database returned 206 possible items. The first 10 are
listed on the search page.
The icon  indicates this resource is available online.
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Click on "Common Spider Bites" and you'll get a citation, a summary, and
sometimes, a link to the article itself.
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If your article isn't readily available, there will be a citation, often a summary, and this  "get it" button at the bottom
"Get it" will take anyone to either:
- Online source for the article
- Online place to purchase the item
When should I recommend it to patrons?
It might be useful when a patron...
- is looking for both books and articles on a single topic
- wants to search more than one database for the same topic
- wants to search other Texas libraries’ collections
For more help:
- At any time in your search process, click HELP in the upper-right hand corner. The Help topic will open in a new window.
If you want more help, click “ Help” to get more detailed information about Library of Texas.
This page was revised by Lisa Charbonnet in Spring 2007.
This page was revised by Miranda Murray in Spring 2006.
INF 382S: Library Instruction and Information Literacy, taught by Dr. Loriene Roy
School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin |
