TexShare Advisory Board Meeting
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
1201 Brazos, Room 314
October 6, 2004
1. Welcome New Board Members & Introductions
Meeting convened by Eva Poole. Greeted new member Steve
Brown. All present introduced themselves.
2. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
New chair Douglas Ferrier and new vice-chair Steve Brown
elected by acclamation.
3. Approve Minutes from July 23, 2004
Minutes from 06/23/2004 meeting approved.
4. Schedule FY05 Meetings
January 28, 2005; April 22, 2005; July 8, 2005 scheduled
for next meetings.
5. Public Comment
None
6. Sub-committee on Multi-Institutional Libraries
The board recognizes that some multi-institutional libraries
might be considered as one member. Need committee to establish
criteria and decision-making process on this issue. Steve
Brown, Kathy Hoffman, and Greg Tramel were appointed to
the sub-committee.
7. Update on LAR & Committee Hearings
Packets with Legislative Appropriations Request figures
were distributed. Ms. Rudd explained budget request for
exceptional items. The first exceptional item is for restoration
of the 5% budget reduction required of all state agencies.
Other exceptional items are to increase funding for Loan
Star Libraries Grants, TexShare databases, and building
renovation. TSLAC was not allowed to request an exchange
of TIF dedicated funds in favor of general revenue financing
for the TexShare database program.
8. Strategic Planning Update
A. Vision & Mission Review: Ms. Shirley
requested the board review notes to determine if the Strategic
Plan confirmed the mission and vision statement. Also need
to look at the vision and mission as related to persons
living in areas unserved by a public library. Asked the
board to consider the issues and make suggestions.
B. Position in Regard to Other Consortia:
TSLAC has worked toward meeting strategic goal of expanding
database options. One example is the Memorandum Of Understanding
completed with Amigos for TexShare member library participation
in the A+ service. New products are available through TexSelect.
It is, however, a time-consuming process to approve contracts
and complete annual recordkeeping activities for TexSelect
products. Need direction from TSAB for any large changes.
Ms. Shirley suggests that TexShare use partnerships with
other consortia to meet need for discounts on database products
with limited number of users. Amigos, TICUL, Phoenix Group,
and LEIAN group are potential partners. Diversifying core
without increased funds suggests that libraries will pick
their own core. That is very difficult to negotiate with
vendors. Another option would be to have two cores: public
and academic.
The advisory board asked TSLAC staff to prepare a briefing
document on these issues for discussion at the next meeting.
9. Endorsement of ICOLC Preferred Practices
The International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC)
has updated their statement entitled “Current Perspective
and Preferred Practices for Selection and Purchase of Electronic
Information.” Ms. Zerkow, chair of the Electronic
Information Working Group (EIWG), said they support ICOLC.
Move was made to endorse ICOLC Preferred Practices; motion
was passed.
10. Report on TLA Task Force on Resource Sharing
Options
Mr. Ferrier read statement from Sue Phillips, Chair of
the Texas Library Association (TLA) Task Force on Resource
Sharing Options. The Task Force held a conference call on
September 28, 2004 and affirmed the basic TLA legislative
strategy of two separate initiatives; one to maintain the
integrity of TexShare funding, and one to reinstate statewide
databases for K-12 libraries through both TSLAC purchasing
authority and funding. Future conference calls are planned
to make additional recommendations.
11. Working Group Reports
A. Card Program: Jay Clark reported. Two
new members have been added to the working group: Sherri
Baker (Panola College) and Jon Crossno (UT Southwestern
Medical Center at Dallas) 319 academic and public libraries
have reported their statistics: a total of 450,767 volumes
were circulated through the card program in FY2004, 34%
to public libraries and 66% to academic libraries. UT provides
excellent support. Loss rate is declining.
B. Courier Program: Jo Anne Hawkins sent
report. FY04 TExpress statistics reflect an increase of
6% in activity from FY03 to FY04. The working group did
a package weight study, showing that the average weight
of a package is 1lb 13oz. Previously, cost avoidance used
1lb as the average (an assumption). New figures reflect
that the program does effectively provide cost avoidance
to participating libraries.
C. Education Services Program: Lisa Loranc
reported. The working group continues to work on a clearinghouse
of online instructional materials, including downloadable
documents. TexShare Reference Training has proved very popular.
Ms. Loranc presented a statement of purpose and priorities
for the group. The group evaluates TexShare educational
programs and makes suggestions about future programs. Critical
issues over the next two years include: taking advantage
of technologies to deliver training virtually while continuing
to offer face-to-face instruction, expanding the range of
educational opportunities available to member libraries,
developing a clearinghouse of educational materials, developing
educational programs for aspects of TexShare beyond the
electronic resources, and providing continuous needs assessment
to the staff of TSLAC.
D. Electronic Information: Syma Zerkow
reported. Ms. Zerkow showed spreadsheet of database vendor
usage statistics reflecting increases in all categories.
Training session for the Historically Black Colleges (HBC)
was set up by TSLAC. The working group has looked at issues
of who is qualified to use databases. They are reviewing
continuing database licensing with less money, including
a suggestion for making cuts to other OCLC products to keep
WorldCat. TSLAC will know exact budget figures for the next
biennium by end of this legislative session (June 2005)
at the latest. Ms. Rudd asked if vendors could give TexShare
a two-month carry period to allow for variables in legislative
funding decisions. The EIWG will discuss whether this would
be a desirable option. At TSLAC budget hearings, Senator
Williams asked for details on which vendors were cut, what
libraries were licensing on their own, and other details
of database cuts. There seemed to be interest in the TexShare
database program. The current budget does not include money
for HeritageQuest Online. There was a very successful pledge
drive to support HeritageQuest and Stat!Ref. There has been
an increase in use in HeritageQuest Online post-pledge drive.
A new statistics module that does a better job of collecting
usage data accounts for some of this. There will be a certain
amount leftover from the HeritageQuest pledge drive. The
board determined that if more money is collected in a database
pledge drive than is needed for a one-year subscription,
the additional funds would be applied to a future subscription
for the same database.
E. Interlibrary Loan: no report.
F. Texas Collections: Ellen Safley reported.
Ms. Safley reported that she is having difficulty getting
responses to questions posed to working group members on
issues not related directly to review of grant proposals.
Many cannot travel to meet. The working group wants funding
for TexTreasures grants to be restored. There is some interest
in acting as bridge to Texas Heritage Digitization Initiative,
but the working group would like to have an identity separate
from that of the initiative. Ms. Rudd reports that if funding
is restored or LSTA money is freed, it would not be available
immediately. Mr. Fortin moved that the group remain in existence,
but not be required to meet without funding: motion passed.
G. Communications: Greg Tramel reported.
The Communications Working Group has met and has discussed
promoting the Press Pass page and using cost avoidance figures
in advocacy for the TexShare program.
H. Library of Texas: no report. Ms. Shirley
reported that the group is working on ILL enhancements,
making “view MARC” optional, improving remote
access, and adding TexSelect and local databases.
12. Strategic Partner Reports
A. University of Texas at Austin: no report.
B. Amigos: Only 18 complaints were received
about courier service. They came in August and the courier
introduced changes in Sept without prior notice, resulting
in great inconvenience and frustration. Amigos is working
to resolve difficulties. Relating to training: Gazette is
promoting visibility. Ms. Juergens shared an enthusiastic
thank-you note on database training.
13. Administrative Report
Advisory Board Members: TSLAC welcomes two new TexShare
Advisory Board members, Steven Brown (North Richland Hills
Public Library) and Kathy Hoffman (University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center). Maurice Fortin (Angelo State University)
and Nancy Anderson (Howard Payne University) have been reappointed
to the board.
TexShare Database Fees: TSLAC has collected 47% of database
fees. 258 libraries have sent in payments.
TexShare Membership Status: Rules changes on TexShare membership
were posted in the September 10, 2004 issue of the TexasRregister
for a 30-day comment period. One comment was received. Staff
will rephrase the rule to clarify the issue addressed in
the comment and ask the Texas State Library and Archives
Commission to adopt the revised rules at their October 29,
2004 meeting.
TexShare Annual Reports: Mason and Shirley are reviewing
comments from TexShare Annual Report and assigning people
to respond as appropriate.
Customized Annual Reports: A prototype of Customized Annual
Reports to be sent to members was provided. The board responded
enthusiastically to the format and information that will
be provided.
Legislative Issues: TSLAC has testified at two hearings,
(1) Senate Finance with regards to TSLAC budget, and (2)
House Cultural and Recreational Resources with regards to
the committee’s interim charge to study the consolidation
of TSLAC, the Commission on the Arts, and the Historical
Commission. Gloria Meraz discussed TLA’s support of
the request for TexShare funding. Also, TLA will ask for
TexShare to get authority to provide databases to K-12 libraries.
TLA is not discussing TexShare membership for K-12 libraries
at this time. Peggy Rudd reported getting positive feedback
from oversight committee and staff on theTSLAC building
renovations.
Digitization Planning: Library Resource Sharing staff continues
to be active in support of this initiative.
Regional Library System Issues and TexShare: Several regional
library system advisory councils expressed concern over
the future of the database program for public libraries.
TSLAC staff have responded to these concerns with the assurance
that the needs of all TexShare member libraries are important
and will be continue to be safeguarded in the future.
14. Meeting adjourned
Present:
TexShare Advisory Board Members:
Eileen Altmiller, St. Edward’s University
Nancy Anderson, Howard Payne University
Steve Brown, North Richland Hills Public Library
Douglas Ferrier, UT Brownsville/Texas Southmost College
Maurice Fortin, Angelo State University
Kathy Hoffman, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Eva Poole, Denton Public Library
Martha Tandy, Weatherford College
Darryl Tocker, Tocker Foundation
Texas State Library and Archives Commission:
Michael Avila, Library Resource Sharing Division
Dave Hardy, Library Resource Sharing Division
Ann Mason, Library Resource Sharing Division
Peggy Rudd, Director and Librarian
Beverley Shirley, Library Resource Sharing Division
Working Group Chairs/Liaisons:
Jay Clark, San Jacinto College
Lisa Loranc, Pasadena Public Library
Ellen Safley, UT Dallas
Gregory Tramel, Montgomery County Memorial Library System
Syma Zerkow, Houston Public Library
Strategic Partners:
Bonnie Juergens, Amigos Library Services
Guests:
Joy Doss, ICUT
Gloria Meraz, Texas Library Association
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