December 9, 1994
Clarion Hotel
Dallas, Texas

Minutes

  

 Present:  Jo Anne Hawkins, Chair (University of Texas at Austin), Gary
           Ives (University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston), Doug
           Birdsall (Texas Tech University), Jay Clark, Community College
           Liaison (San Jacinto College Central), Charles Harrell
           (University of Texas at Tyler), Rodney Webb (Texas A&M
           International University), William Mears (Southwest Texas State
           University), Virginia Allen (Lamar University), Abby Kratz
           (University of Texas at Dallas), Linda Thompson (University of
           Houston)
 
 
The group briefly reviewed its purpose:  To develop policies and 
procedures for a statewide borrower's card that will enable faculty and 
students affiliated with any TEX-SHARE institution to use the materials 
and services of any TEX-SHARE library.  The group then reviewed and 
discussed similar plans that had been implemented in other states as well 
as issues that had been raised during a discussion of this topic at the 
TCSUL meeting in September.

Some of the key issues agreed upon include the following.  The plan will 
allow free borrowing of circulating materials from TEX-SHARE libraries by 
approved borrowers.  Each borrower will sign an agreement which specifies 
the privileges and obligations associated with participation in the 
program.  The lending library may restrict the number of items that can 
be borrowed at one time by a TEX-SHARE borrower.  Access to electronic 
resources will be as permitted by licensing agreements and to the extent 
that local computing capabilities are able to support.  Approved 
borrowers will include staff as well as faculty and students. 

A question arose as to whether a "home" library would be able to penalize 
users (e.g., blocks on circulation privileges, holds on transcripts, 
etc.) who are delinquent TEX-SHARE borrowers.  Linda Thompson will seek a 
legal opinion on this.

It also was decided that there should be a physical card which will be 
issued by the borrower's "home" library.  This card will be valid for one 
semester for students, and for one year for faculty and staff.  The 
expiration date will appear on the card.  The group felt that the term 
"THEcard" was too nebulous, and would not lend itself to strong 
identification with the TEX-SHARE program in the users' minds.  Instead, 
the group agreed on calling it the TEX-SHARE Card, which will readily 
identify it with a coordinated set of programs and services available 
through TEX-SHARE.  A TEX-SHARE logo used on the card (and on TEX-SHARE 
publications such as brochures) would be an asset in making the program 
more visible to users.  A logo will be discussed with the Advisory Board 
and Coordinating Board staff, and details will be forthcoming. Generally, 
it was agreed that the introduction of the TEX-SHARE Card should generate 
a lot of publicity, e.g., articles in student newspapers, press releases, 
brochures, etc. 

It was agreed that the following statistics will be kept by each library, 
and will be compiled by TEX-SHARE staff:  (1) number of cards issued at 
each library, (2) number of transactions, (3) number of patrons who use 
the card, and (4) number and value of items lost.

The policies and basic tenets of the TEX-SHARE Card program will be set 
forth in a document that will be similar in structure to that used by the 
University of Texas Passport program and the OCLC research library 
members reciprocal borrowing program.  It is anticipated that a draft 
document will be ready for the group to review by late January. 

The reciprocal borrowing program will have a trial period of May - 
December 1995.  The program will be evaluated in early 1996 by the 
Working Group, and appropriate adjustments and recommendations will be 
made at that time.  The group will recommend that provisions be made for 
ongoing oversight of the program at the conclusion of the trial period. 
 
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 24.