Database Program Updates; Issues Before
the Legislature
(July 1, 2005- June 30, 2006)

This FAQ informs you about the work that has been done to assure a strong TexShare database program. It also addresses questions you may have regarding issues before the Legislature. Please contact TexShare at texshare@tsl.state.tx.us or call 512-463-0188 with any questions or concerns you may have.

1. What databases will we have next year?

A. On December 6, 2004, the Electronic Information Working Group (EIWG) met in Austin to recommend the TexShare Core Database package, which will be available on July 1, 2005. The EIWG recommendation was endorsed at the TexShare Advisory Board (TSAB) meeting held on January 28, 2005. Contracts will be taken to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for approval at its April meeting. The EIWG worked very hard to determine the database package for the next year, taking into account customer comments, usage statistics, full-text title availability, and best value.

Ebsco Databases:
TexShare will retain access to 15,944 full-text publications (Excel spreadsheet- 2.6MB) accessible through the databases listed below. The databases we will retain are:

• Academic Search Premier
• Business Source Premier
• Masterfile Premier
• Medline with MESH
• Regional Business News
• Military and Government Collection

Ebsco will provide a separate interface in the Masterfile database for K-8 research to provide ease of searching for students.

Gale Databases:
We will continue to have access to:

• Literature Resource Center
• Student Resource Center Gold
• InfoTrac Newspapers
• Health and Wellness Resource Center with Health Reference Center Academic

OCLC Databases:
We will continue to have access to:

• WorldCat

NetLibrary:
We will continue to have access to:

• NetLibrary ebook collection

TDNet:
We will continue to have access to:

• TDNet - the TDNet service will be renewed. TDNet facilitates the use of the other databases and, with the cuts, may be more important than before.

2. What databases have an uncertain future?

A. HeritageQuest with Texas Sanborn Maps: Cost remains unchanged at $263,000. Renewal will depend on the success of the annual pledge drive.

ProQuest 20th Century Poetry Collections: Access to this database will be renewed if funding is available. Note: TexShare bought the information in the database but must pay an annual access fee.

3. What databases will be discontinued?

A.Subset Interfaces:
TexShare will no longer have access to special subject specific collection interfaces such as Religion and Philosophy, Sociological Collection, etc. We will retain access to all journal indexing and journal content, but the searching will be done through Academic Search Premier rather than the subject-specific interfaces. Subject-specific interfaces simplify searches performed in the larger databases, such as Masterfile Premier or Academic Search Premier.

After July 1, 2005, you will no longer have access to the following Ebsco subset interfaces, but you will retain access to the majority of the content searched via these interfaces:

• Computer Source: Consumer Edition
• Health Source: Consumer Edition
• Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition
• MAS Ultra
• Middle Search Plus
• Primary Search
• Professional Development Collection
• Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection
• Religion and Philosophy Collection
• Sociological Collection

Ebsco databases:
Access is lost to 762 full-text publications (Excel spreadsheet). Most of this content will be in books, pamphlets and TV transcripts and newspapers.

• Clinical Pharmacology
• Encyclopedia of Animals
• Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
• ERIC (available for free on the Internet; Ebsco was only providing an interface for this database.)
• Newspaper Source
• TopicSearch

Gale Databases:

• Business and Company Resource Center
• Biography and Genealogy Master Index
• Informe
• Texas Almanac
• What Do I Read Next?

OCLC Databases:

OCLC FirstSearch Base Package:

• ArticleFirst
• Ebook Cataloging Records (this is not the NetLibrary collection, which is fully retained)
• Electronic Collections Online
• PapersFirst
• Proceedings First

• Clase Periodica
• ERIC
• GPO Monthly Catalog
• Medline
• World Almanac

NOTE: TexShare member libraries may upgrade to the FirstSearch Base package as a TexSelect option. Libraries and institutions interested in upgrading to the FirstSearch Base package will be provided with individual pricing information through the TexShare office. (Do not contact Amigos or OCLC to obtain pricing.)

STAT!Ref:

• STAT!Ref - This database will not be renewed. It will be offered as a TexSelect title.

4. Why are we losing databases?

A. When we signed contracts to begin July 1, 2003, we still had money left from the TIF grant. Because we anticipated loss of funding in the next biennium, we used part of the TIF grant money to negotiate a two-year contract with OCLC for the First Search Base package at special pricing. This allowed the State Library to renew subscriptions in the Core Database package in 2004-2005 with very little loss of content. Now, as we look to renew subscriptions to begin July 1, 2005, we are no longer able to benefit from that two-year subscription. Because of this factor we will not be able to renew some interfaces and some content in the Core Database package for 2005-2006..

5. What is happening with the Heritage Quest pledge drive?

A. Last year, due to state budget cuts in the 2004-2005 biennium, TSLAC asked libraries and genealogical societies to help fund HeritageQuest Online through a pledge drive. Genealogical societies, libraries, and individual genealogy and library supporters contributed $250,000 to sustain access to HeritageQuest Online through July 31, 2005. We have recently mailed letters asking libraries and genealogical societies to renew their pledges for HeritageQuest, and offering non-pledging libraries another opportunity to pledge funding for this resource.

The state’s budget has not improved. In fact, state agencies were instructed to submit budgets for the 2006-2007 biennium that were 5% less than the previous biennium. Once again, we need your help to continue funding HeritageQuest Online from August 1, 2005, through July 31, 2006. Our goal is to raise $263,000 to extend the statewide subscription to this valuable resource.

A pledge form for libraries is available at http://www.texshare.edu/programs/academicdb/pledges/fy05/pledgeformlibrariesfy05.doc. The form for genealogy societies is at http://www.texshare.edu/programs/academicdb/pledges/fy05/pledgeformfy05.doc

6. How can I get subscriptions to the databases that have been discontinued?

A. Databases that will no longer be in the core database package will become TexSelect database options. You can get information on TexSelect databases from the TexShare Web site at: http://www.texshare.edu/programs/academicdb/selectdbinfo.html. Some of the newer TexSelect options are not available through the Web site yet, as we are still negotiating discounted pricing on these services. We expect information on these options to be available in late April. We will send an announcement to the TexShare Users electronic discussion list when information is available.

7. What is the legislature doing about TexShare funding?

A. TexShare database funding currently comes from a variety of sources – federal LSTA grants, membership fees, and state funding. The Legislative Budget Board and the governor’s office recommend TexShare funding at 95% of this year’s budget and did not recommend funding the exceptional items for databases. The budget goes through a process of hearings in which these recommendations are presented, information is provided by the agency, and interested parties from the public testify. TSLAC has already appeared before the Senate Finance Committee and the Subcommittee for General Government of the House Appropriations Committee. The Texas Library Association provides information on legislative issues (http://www.txla.org/html/govt_aff.html)

8. What is the Legislature doing about K-12 database access?

A. HB661 (in the Senate, SB 483), allowing designated public school libraries to participate in group purchasing agreements, was filed on January 28. You may read the text and follow the progress of the bill using the Legislature Online service at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us. The Texas Library Association provides information on legislative issues (http://www.txla.org/html/govt_aff.html).

9. I need more information. Who can I contact?

A. Send e-mail to texshare@tsl.state.tx.us or call 512-463-0188.