TexShare Mission
Statement
TexShare, a statewide consortium of academic
libraries, public libraries, and libraries of
clinical medicine administered by the Texas State
Library and Archives Commission, employs traditional
and innovative strategies to resource sharing.
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. TexShare maximizes the effectiveness
of library expenditures by enabling libraries
to:
 share
staff expertise.
share
library resources in print and electronic formats,
including books, journals, technical reports,
and databases.
pursue
joint purchasing agreements for information services.
encourage
cooperative development and deployment of information
resources and technologies.
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.
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History
Texas academic library directors first proposed
an academic statewide resource sharing project
in 1988, which was first funded in FY94 under
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
(THECB). The 53 publicly supported four year
academic and medical libraries were the original
TexShare members. Selected TexShare members and
Amigos Library Services administered TexShare
under contract to the THECB. The first biennium
was devoted to planning and starting programs
such as funding for Internet connectivity and
Ariel workstations. Between 1994 and 1996 the
online database, ILL protocol, card program, and
TexTreasures programs were begun, as well as the
TexShare web site and electronic mailing lists.
During the next biennium program development
continued, and there was a strong TLA legislative
program to increase funding and expand 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, although it continued
to be administered by contract to Amigos and UT/Austin
at this time.
The 1997-1999 biennium brought several changes.
The courier and education programs were added
to TexShare and during the 76th Session HB
1433 was passed, which brought public libraries
into TexShare. In September 1999 the State Library
assumed full administrative responsibility for
TexShare, with Amigos and UT/Austin continuing
their roles as Strategic Partners, contracting
to operate the TExpress courier service and TexShare
technical support services respectively. Today
TexShare is managing the transition from a resource
sharing program focused on academic institutions
to one that fosters resource sharing among academic
and public libraries.
On June 15, 2001, 60 databases became available
for both academic and public libraries through
funding from a Telecommunications Infrastructure
Fund Board (TIF) grant. The TIF grant provided
the opportunity to build a premier, consolidated
database program. A major goal was to deliver
full text information 24 hours a day to the citizens
of Texas.
A test project began in August 2001 which allowed
Libraries to provide log-ins and passwords for
patrons that wanted to access the databases from
outside the library. This project became know
as the Customized Gateway Program and 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.
September 2, 2001, the TexShare program expanded
eligibility by enacting HB
3591. HB 3591 allowed Libraries of Clinical
Medicine to become full members of TexShare.
Senate
Bill 483
Senate Bill 483 goes into effect on September
1, 2005. The bill gives the Texas State Library
and Archives Commission (TSLAC) the authority
to negotiate group purchasing agreements on behalf
of K-12 public school libraries. The bill does
not make public school libraries eligible for
TexShare membership. However, this legislation
is a positive first step toward accomplishing
that objective.
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Contact TexShare:
TexShare Coordinator
Texas State Library and Archives
PO Box 12927
Austin, Tx 78711-2927
512-463-0188
512-936-2306 Fax
Email: texshare@tsl.state.tx.us
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