TexShare Task Force on Database Fees

Meeting Summary

May 5, 2003

Members present: Eva Poole, Chair; Sue Phillips: Rob Strong; Martha Tandy; Jo Ann Oliphant; Meller Langford-Allen; Brenda Branch; Kathy Hoffman; Willie Braudaway (for Katherine McMurrey), Beverley Shirley; Russlene Waukechon; Deborah Littrell

The Task Force decided that:

• Small independent institutions and small community colleges need to be polled in order to get a better indication with regards to their abilities to pay fees.
• Regional library systems should be contacted for more information on their budget situation and their budget flexibility, especially with regards to member libraries’ collection development funds.

The Task Force’s discussion indicated:

• In general, institutions value what they pay for more than what is provided free of charge. However, in the public library community exposure to and training on the databases may be more significant factors in determining how much value is placed on the service than is cost.
• The group must consider the momentum we have built in growing the database program and the importance of making these resources available to all Texans.
• The group must take into account the practical implications for invoicing and collecting fees as well as the potential impact of removing non-paying libraries from database contracts and service.
• Multiple variables affect a library’s ability to pay fees.