TexShare Advisory Board Meeting
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
1201 Brazos, Room 314
October 31, 2002
TexShare Advisory Board Beverley Shirley, LRS Division Director,
convened the meeting and welcomed guests.
Introduction of New members - Peggy Rudd
Election of Chair and Vice Chair - Eva Poole, Vice Chair
Eva Poole elected as chair by acclamation. JJ Baskin was nominated
as vice chair by acclamation.
Minutes
The minutes of the August 26, 2002 meeting were accepted.
Public Comment
None
Schedule Future Meetings - Eva Poole
Meetings were scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2003; April 25,
2003, Wednesday, July 9, 2003; and Friday, October 10, 2003. This
meeting schedule can be adjusted during the upcoming year if necessary.
Update on Hidalgo Meeting - Peggy Rudd
The Task Force on TexShare Expansion recommended that Texas State
Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) embark on a model program
to demonstrate how K-12 school libraries could be successfully incorporated
into TexShare. TSLAC looked at a variety of formal and informal
consortiums throughout the state. Hidalgo County posed an excellent
opportunity.
Staff of TSLAC and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) attended a meeting
of the Hidalgo County Library System on October 17, 2002. Attendees
at that meeting included librarians from high school libraries,
the public libraries, representatives from the Education Service
Center, the South Texas Library System, UT - Pan Am , Southwest
Texas Community College. The group was receptive to the idea of
a model project and expressed willingness to be used as a test to
determine the costs, political concerns, and the practical challenges
involved in bringing schools into TexShare.
The Cooperation Grant program is a logical funding source for the
project. Cooperation Grant application packets will be issued in
November with a due date in March. Project funding begins September
1, 2003. Peggy Rudd will disseminate a report from the meeting at
a later date. Ms Rudd asked the County System to form a working
group of representatives from the high schools, education service
centers, SWTCC, UT-Pan Am, public libraries, and support organizations.
TexTreasure - Ellen Safley
Two of the grant proposals for FY03 TexTreasures grants had not
clearly indicated Texas-related content. At the July 29, 2002 and
September 23, 2002 Texas State Library and Archives Commission meetings,
the Commission discussed TexTreasures collection content. Ellen
Safley, chair of Texas Collections Working Group, presented background
information on the grant program at the September meeting. At the
end of her presentation, the Commission asked that a proposal regarding
the importance of Texas content be submitted to them at the November
15, 2002 Commission meeting.
Ms. Safley engaged the Texas Collections Working Group in a lively
e-mail discussion of three issues:
- Whether to include a section to award points for projects that
deal with Texas materials. The working group thought it should
not be included based upon the current Administrative Code. The
working group looks at how the grant will support the citizens
of Texas and how well the materials will be used by the citizens.
- How the working group insures grants are given to both small
and large libraries. The working group feels that grants are given
based on merit not on size of the library. The working group chooses
the best project to go forward.
- Should libraries be awarded money for continuation of projects.
TexTreasure grants provide seed money for one year projects. The
working group does not want multiple grants to be given for the
same projects.
After considerable discussion, the TexShare Advisory Board concluded
that there are many valuable collections in Texas libraries and
that the TexTreasures grants should fund enhanced access to collections
that are either Texas-related or of significance to Texans. The
TexShare Advisory Board recommends changes should be made to the
grant application packet and procedures rather than in the rules
themselves.
Maurice Fortin moved that "The TexShare Advisory Board reaffirms
the guidelines of the Access to Local Holding (TexTreasure) grants
as they currently appear in 13 TAC §8.6. To clarify expectations
regarding collection content, the grant application packet is to
include instructions that grant applications must specify the importance
of the collection to Texas or Texans. In June 2003, the Texas Collections
Working Group is to submit to the TexShare Advisory Board their
evaluation of the effect of this change in the grant packet on the
nature and quality of grant proposals received.
Glenda Swink seconded the motion. The board passed the motion with
one abstention from Peggy Rudd.
In order to ensure grant applications received are for projects
related to Texas or Texans and that the applications received clearly
articulate this connection, the following actions will be taken:
- TSLAC will continue to offer training to library staff on effective
grant writing and will publicize the availability of training
to potential TexTreasures applicants.
- TSLAC will include information in the grant application packets
regarding consulting services to library staff who are working
on grant applications. The Library Development Division makes
these services available to all Texas libraries.
- The Texas Collections Working Group will offer a program at
the Texas Library Association conference discussing the TexTreasure
grant application process and showcasing successfully completed
TexTreasure projects.
- TSLAC will place a selection of successful grant applications
on the TexShare web site as an example for potential applicants
to emulate.
- TSLAC will include instructions that grant applications must
specify the importance of the collection to Texas or Texans in
the grant application packets.
- The Texas Collections Working Group will evaluate the effect
of these changes on the nature and quality of grant proposals
received.
Should the recommended changes not be adequate to meet the expectations
of the Commission, the working group suggested that five points
could be taken from the "availability" category and moved
to the "sustainability" category to awarded to projects
that have Texas content. This would require a change in the Administrative
Rules.
Working Group reports
Card Program working group - Jay Clark
Suzanne McAnna was introduced as the new chair. Mr. Clark will take
over as the liaison for the working group.
The TexShare Card Program significantly increased access to information
resources across the state.
- Book use has more than doubled since last year. 215,645 volumes
were circulated last year, up 186% from the previous year and
700% since the program's inception five years ago.
- The loss rate has dropped over the past five years from 11 cents
per volume circulated to 5 cents per volume circulated.
- Public libraries reported issuing, 407 cards and circulating
37,264 volumes this year. This is more than the entire Card Program
five years ago.
The Loan Star program, offering incentives to libraries that participate
in the Card program, has helped to bring more public libraries into
the card program. Mr. Clark extended his thanks and that of the
Working group to Peggy for connecting Loan Star with the card program.
Other advancements in FY02 included the addition of libraries of
clinical medicine, a redefinition of Card Program statistics, and
an improvement in the method of collecting annual statistics.
Courier working group (Jo Anne Hawkins)
Ms. Hawkins provided FY02 statistics for the courier service, sorted
from high use to low use.
The sent and received columns represent packages sent and received
to show level of activity. Use of the service this fiscal year is
down from what was reported last calendar year. 30 libraries have
not reported their statistics which is a concern to the working
group. These are subsidized sites and we need to know if they are
using the services and to what extent. Courier Express Gazette reported
top 10 users.
Statistics for this fiscal year are reported on web by use and
alphabetically by library. Figures for past years are reported by
calendar year but will be converted to fiscal year so that comparisons
can be made.
Four working group members have terms expired. Three are re-committing.
Members should be recognized for service. The group will take nominations
to help fill the remaining opening.
Amigos will be sending a disk on how to label packages. This is
a problem that affects the courier's ability to accurately deliver
packages.
Education working group - No Report
Electronic Information working group (Tommie Wingfield)
Ms. Wingfield reported on the FY02 expenditures for databases. 58%
of the funds for databases came from the TIF grant. $9 m has been
spent for database renewal from last year and the addition of two
medical databases and of TDnet. Usage statistics are on TexShare
web site.
The TIF library working group reported spending over $6 m worth
for databases and actual cost $11 m. Beverley Shirley reported $11
m was spent from July 2001 to June 2002. The cost avoidance figures
are based on vender prices with no discounts. For subscriptions
running July 2002 to June 2003, TSLAC spent about $1 m less and
bought fewer ebooks. The cost avoidance figures are down from the
past report. Ms. Shirley will forward the new numbers to the board.
Interlibrary Loan working group - No Report
Texas Collections working group (Ellen Safley)
Kathy Hoffman has arranged for a program on TexTreasures for the
Texas Library Association Conference in Houston, Wednesday, April
2 from 2:00-3:50 pm. The College and University Libraries Division
and the Archives and Local History Round Table are cosponsoring
the program. Ms. Hoffman will give an overview of the grant process.
Three previous grantees will showcase their collections:
Victoria, Crossroads of Immigration, 1824-1944 (Victoria College/UH
Victoria Library)
Murphy & Bolanz Maps, Dallas Public Library
Texas Constitutions, UT Tarlton Law Library
Strategic Partner reports
Amigos Library Services (Bonnie Juergens)
Reported by JoAnn Hawkins with Courier Working Group report.
University of Texas at Austin (Sue Phillips)
UTAustin maintains the TexShare web site to ensure it is operational
and updated regularly. UT staff has worked with the TSLAC staff
to redesign database pages for academic libraries on the notification
and announcements for the upcoming ILL workshop.
UT-Austin received a TIF Discovery grant in 2001 to produce collaborative
distance education implementing various kinds of streaming video
in a Web environment. As part of the grant, UT General Libraries
is creating training on a variety of library services. One module
covers TexShare. The overview of TexShare, including pictures and
audio will be the first component of the module to be mounted. The
complete module will include an introduction to TexShare, information
on the research databases and piece on the TexShare card.
Five presidents of research libraries in Texas have developed a
"research road show". The presentation is a poster session
of selected items to showcase and how research at the universities
has contributed to the economy of Texas. The exhibit will be put
up in the Capital Grill. Topics include homeland security, biomedical,
and the UT online library. Dennis Dillon included information about
TexShare and the value it has brought to UT and other libraries
around the state in this presentation.
Administrative update:
TexShare Advisory Board Appointments:
Darryl Tocker, representative of the public, and Eva Poole, representative
of public libraries, were re-appointed to the TexShare Advisory
Board. Two new members were appointed to the board, Douglas Ferrier,
representing public universities, and Dennis Michaelis, representing
Community College Libraries.
Budget update:
Legislative Budget Board is reviewing the Legislative Appropriations
Request submitted by TSLAC. The LBB is interested in identifying
alternative sources of funding for the TexShare databases. TSLAC
will survey a stratified sample of TexShare members to determine
the amount we could reasonable expect libraries to pay in database
access fees in FY05.
In discussing funding with our LBB analyst, Ms. Rudd has pointed
out that no staff was provided to TSLAC when it was given authority
to administer the program. Billing libraries and processing payments
with available staff will be very difficult.
The Board suggested that the collection of data and presentation
of options include:
- Showing what the free database program has allowed libraries
to accomplish
- Showing what it will cost (services that will be cut, libraries
that will drop out of the program, persons that will lose access
to information, etc.) should libraries have to pay fees for TexShare
services.
- The effect on small and rural libraries should a fee assessment
be imposed.
- A comparison of what we would be able to collect in fees with
the total cost of the program.
Library of Texas update:
- Ebsco Publishing has offered free access to Ebsco's Legal Collection
to the Legislative Reference Library for the duration of the 78th
Legislative Session.
- The Electronic Depository Program is installed and running.
We plan to complete a full harvest of Texas state agency web-based
documents in early November.
- The ten vendor proof of concept of demonstrations for the Resource
Discovery Service are complete.
- Videoconferencing equipment has been installed at TSLAC, Austin
Public Library, and Corpus Christi Public Library.
TexShare expansion update:
- Frontera TEC: Frontera TEC is a TIF funded program to assess
and address the technology needs of the institutions in our underserved
border region in order to make their previous and future investments
in technology sustainable. TSLAC is a partner in this program.
- Link to Learn is a project to provide training and access to
resources for public librarians that will enable them to provide
good beyond-school resources to students to facilitate and support
student achievement. The program manager is accepting applications
for master trainers.
- Model Project with K-12 libraries: Per the recommendations of
the Expansion Task Force, TSLAC, in partnership with TEA, will
establish a model program of cooperation among high school libraries
and TexShare libraries.
Communication Plan update:
Activities to date include:
- TLA created templates for postcards that libraries may provide
to patrons who want to contact their legislators about the importance
of TexShare databases.
- TSLAC provided announcements regarding the plan to be distributed
at TLA District meetings and regional library system fall meetings.
- TSLAC created a Press Pass Web site with customizable brochures,
fact sheets, etc.
- TSLAC created new brochures and signage
- TSLAC is finalizing membership in the implementation task force.
- TSLAC sent mailing to libraries participating in the customized
Web page program.
TLA annual conference:
TSLAC is seeking advice on what to present at TLA during the TexShare
Program. Recommendations from the Advisory Board include:
- An update on the Legislative session and status report on bills
affecting TexShare.
- A discussion on the future of TexShare after the Legislative
session.
- Testimonials on how TexShare has helped someone's research.
Present:
TexShare Board members:
Eva Poole, Denton Public Library, Chair
J.J. Baskin, Austin Public Library Foundation, Vice-Chair
Nancy Anderson, Howard Payne University
Douglas Ferrier, University of Texas Brownsville
Rhoda Goldberg, Harris County Public Library
Maurice Fortin, Angelo State University
Eileen Shocket, St. Edwards University
Glenda Swink, Southwest Texas Junior College
Darryl Tocker, Tocker Foundation
Elaine Wells, University of Texas Health Science Center - Tyler
Dennis Michaelis, McLennan Community College
Texas State Library and Archives Commission:
Peggy Rudd , State Librarian
Michael Avila, Library Resource Sharing Division
Beverley Shirley, Library Resource Sharing Division
Dawn Vogler, Library Development Division
Sue Beebe, Library Resource Sharing Division
Working Group liaisons:
Jo Anne Hawkins, University of Texas at Austin
Jay Clark, San Jacinto Community College
Suzanne McAnna, University of Texas at Austin
Tommie Wingfield, University of Texas at Arlington
Ellen Safley, University of Texas at Dallas
Strategic Partners:
Sue Phillips, University of Texas at Austin
Patricia Hayes for Carol McDonald, Independent Colleges and Universities
of Texas
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