Statewide access to the HeritageQuest and Digital
Sanborn Maps databases has been successfully retained,
thanks to the generosity of TexShare member libraries.
All types of libraries from different geographic areas
of the state submitted pledges to help keep access to
HeritageQuest and Digital Sanborn Maps a reality for all
Texans. The final tally of money raised and a list of
libraries that pledged are available on the Current
Pledge Amounts and Donating Libraries, Individuals, and
Societies Web page.
The pledge drive was initiated when the budget
did not allow for the renewal of the HeritageQuest and
Digital Sanborn Maps databases package for the July 1
2005 - June 30th 2006 period, even after fees were reinstated.
Pledges were collected until May 1, 2005. Libraries will
now be invoiced for the amounts pledged. Funds must be
collected by July 2005.
Thanks to all of the libraries both academic
and public that pledged money for the renewal of the HeritageQuest
and Digital Sanborn Maps contracts. By participating in
the pledge drive initiated by Texas State Library and
Archives Commission and the TexShare Electronic Information
Working Group, libraries will pay a lower price for access
than what they would have to pay if they subscribed to
the database as an individual institution.
Genealogy is America’s number one hobby.
Access is vital to the genealogists that use your library
for research. HeritageQuest provides electronic resources
for genealogists with complete census indexing and remote
access allowed for researching genealogy from home. Retaining
access to HertageQuest means that the Texas Digital Sanborn
Maps, which provides digital access to more than 2118
large-scale maps of 436 Texas towns and cities, including
Dallas, Houston, Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, and San
Antonio, will also be available. Retaining statewide access
to both databases allows your patrons the maximum opportunity
to benefit from these valuable resources.
The lowest possible price for a subscription
to the database package was achieved because of the statewide
consortial buying power of TexShare. All Texans will continue
to have access to these electronic resources of information,
which is one of the fundamental principles of TexShare,
Texas’ largest library consortium.
Thank you for your support in extending statewide
access to HeritageQuest and Digital Sanborn Maps for Texas
communities. Because of Texas libraries, access to these
comprehensive resources is not lost for Texans.
Thank you for your support in providing these
rich resources to your communities.
