Bob was asked where in the appropriations bill TexShare is to be found. Bob responded that TexShare is included within the TSLAC appropriations request.

Bob was asked to explain how TSLAC is helping public libraries now. He provided a brief description of the Texas Library System and the Texas State Electronic Library, which provides shared database access. Bob was asked if public libraries currently pay any fees to use the databases. His answer was no, these services are paid for by a combination of state library and federal (LSTA) funds. He reminded everyone that the program and its funding are heading towards a convergence with TexShare but the structure and delivery are to be determined.

Bob was asked if public libraries expect to participate in TexShare right away (should the bill pass), especially since the bill carries a zero fiscal note. He responded that such access is dependent on TSLAC's final funding and pointed out that Section 3 of the bill states that the expansion will be carried out "to the extent of available appropriations."

Bob was asked why language in §441.209 referring to the makeup of the advisory board was deleted. The language specifically said that two members of the board would come from four-year public universities, two would come from public community colleges, and two would come from private institutions. Bob pointed out that there are other groups (medical and law institutions) which weren't included in that list. Since increasing the size of the advisory board (currently 9) is not a satisfactory option, especially since no travel funds are available to members, it was decided to drop the language.

Bob was asked why the bill contains language that says it will "establish" TexShare when it already exists. He pointed out that the bill is a revision of existing language and incorporates additions and deletions but that much of the original language is still evident. In looking over the bill, Bob pointed out a printing error in §441.203, (2) -- a bracketed clause that reads "[at institutions of higher education]" should have been stricken through (deleted).

A question was asked about TLA's Legislative Committee and its role in lobbying for the bill. Bob replied that TLA will definitely play a role but he doesn't think that the bill will need lots of testimony. It is set to go to House Committee on State, Federal and International Relations. When asked about the current makeup of Senate Committees, Bob distributed copies of the new committee appointments (information taken from http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/Archives/p012199a.htm)

PERRY ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
AUSTIN - Lt. Governor Rick Perry announced committee chairs and membership today.

The following committees were appointed.

Administration - Chris Harris, Chair; Frank L. Madla, Vice-Chair; Florence Shapiro, Rodney Ellis, John Whitmire

Criminal Justice - Ken Armbrister, Chair; Robert Duncan, Vice-Chair; Jane Nelson, Mike Jackson, John Whitmire, Royce West, Florence Shapiro

Economic Development - David Sibley, Chair; Ken Armbrister, Vice-Chair; Frank L. Madla, John Carona, Troy Fraser, Mike Jackson, John Whitmire

Economic Development: Subcommittee on Technology & Business Growth - Troy Fraser, Chair; Frank L. Madla, Vice-Chair; Mike Jackson, John Carona, John Whitmire

Education - Teel Bivins, Chair; Gregory Luna, Vice-Chair; Jane Nelson, Steve Ogden, David Sibley, Royce West, Judith Zaffirini, Bill Ratliff, David Cain

Education: Subcommittee on Higher Education - Royce West, Chair; Steve Ogden, Vice-Chair; Bill Ratliff, Judith Zaffirini, Jane Nelson

Finance - Bill Ratliff, Chair; Carlos F. Truan, Vice-Chair; Mario Gallegos, Jon Lindsay, Royce West, Steve Ogden, Mike Moncrief, Troy Fraser, Gonzalo Barrientos, Robert Duncan, John Carona

Health Services - Jane Nelson, Chair; Mike Moncrief, Vice-Chair; Frank L. Madla, Jon Lindsay, Drew Nixon

Human Services - Judith Zaffirini, Chair; John Carona, Vice-Chair; Mario Gallegos, David Bernsen, Chris Harris

Intergovernmental Relations - Frank L. Madla, Chair; Jon Lindsay, Vice-Chair; Mike Moncrief, Rodney Ellis, Drew Nixon

Jurisprudence - Rodney Ellis, Chair; Chris Harris, Vice-Chair; J.E.'Buster' Brown, Gregory Luna, Jeff Wentworth

Natural Resources - J.E. 'Buster' Brown, Chair; Ken Armbrister, Vice-Chair; Bill Ratliff, Eddie Lucio Jr., Teel Bivins, Gonzalo Barrientos, Tom Haywood

Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Agriculture - Tom Haywood, Chair; Teel Bivins, Vice-Chair; Ken Armbrister

Nominations - Jeff Wentworth, Chair; Mario Gallegos, Vice-Chair; Mike Jackson, David Bernsen, J.E. 'Buster' Brown, Gonzalo Barrientos, Tom Haywood

Special Committee on Border Affairs - Eddie Lucio Jr., Chair; David Sibley, Vice-Chair; Eliot Shapleigh, Robert Duncan, Teel Bivins, Judith Zaffirini, Carlos F. Truan

Special Committee on Electric Utility Restructuring - David Sibley, Chair; David Cain, Vice-Chair; Jane Nelson, Ken Armbrister, Gonzalo Barrientos, Teel Bivins, Troy Fraser

State Affairs - Florence Shapiro, Chair; Eliot Shapleigh, Vice-Chair; Eddie Lucio Jr., David Cain, Drew Nixon, J.E. 'Buster' Brown, David Bernsen, Tom Haywood, Jeff Wentworth

State Affairs: Subcommittee on Infrastructure - David Cain, Chair; J.E. 'Buster' Brown, Vice-Chair; Eddie Lucio Jr., David Bernsen, Drew Nixon

Veteran Affairs & Military Installations - Carlos F. Truan, Chair; Gregory Luna, Vice-Chair; Troy Fraser, Eliot Shapleigh, Steve Ogden

Bob Martin told about visiting Representative Hunter, who spoke of telling his committee members that he wanted them to be more proactive about issues that the committee endorses. Bob Seal told of visiting his district's Senator, Mike Moncrief, with his university's chancellor.

- Bill Mears, Library Director of Southwest Texas State University has been reappointed as chair.

- Suzanne McAnna, University of Texas at Austin, has been appointed to the group.

- Consideration needs to be given about how statistics will be reported. Currently, these statistics are reported by library, district, or other governing body. The group will recommend that they be reported by library.

- Consideration also needs to be given about integrating public libraries into the TexShare Card program. What changes will be required in the contract?

- Are there other changes in the Card contract needed?

- There are currently 83 participants, along with 13 "other" stops that include the Texas State Library, AMIGOS, and several large public libraries.

- Total of 96 site stops.

- Previously, participants had a choice between 5-day a week service for $1,850 or 2-day service for $1,400. Most libraries chose the 5-day service with about 10 choosing 2-day.

- As the 2-day option presents difficulties for MM's couriers, for 1999, only 5-day service will be available. The decision was made to subsidize the former 2-day libraries for this year only. The full price for 5-day service is $2,100 but former 2-day users will get a temporary discount and will pay $1,600. If money is available later, TexShare will be able to subsidize TExpress and offer the service to libraries essentially at 1998 prices with a subsidy of $250-$500 per participating library.

- ARIEL training

- ILL training for new Texas Group participants (participation in the Texas Group is now a requirement of the TexShare ILL Protocol, and

- Copyright and the Internet, February 8 in Lubbock and the other is not scheduled but will be in the Valley.

News about the new server prompted a question about turnaways and whether the new machine will be capable of handling TexShare's increased user load. Mark responded with a "yes."

The Ovid update then prompted some discussion about TexShare's relationship with Ovid. TexShare currently has a three-year commitment to Ovid that includes very favorable pricing.

Mark and Sue provided some background information about resources similar to Ovid.

There was a request for further clarification of the methodology behind the tier assignments. Michael reviewed the guidelines with special emphasis on tier 3 where both criteria must be met.
Tier 1: Over 750,000 volumes or over 10,000 enrollment
Tier 2: 100,000 - 749,000 volumes or 2,001-9,999 enrollment
Tier 3: Under 100,000 volumes and 2,000 or less enrollment

Bob Martin reminded everyone t agreed and made the point that there is no membership fee to join TexShare and calling using the term "participation fee" could be confusing.

Several board members pointed out that having 23 schools move up in their tier assignments would translate into slightly more money being collected for information access. There was some discussion about whether this review of tier assignments should be revenue-neutral. This was countered by discussion about the difficulty in recalculating fees for all schools and the confusion that this could cause. The board unanimously agreed to leave the information access fee amounts as is and to review them at a later date. Any surplus money will be used to purchase more electronic resources.

Michael was questioned about which tier to assign to the few schools which have not submitted statistics. The TexShare Coordinating Council has suggested that schools not providing statistics would automatically be assigned to Tier 1. This raised some concern but should prove an adequate incentive for schools to turn in statistics.