TexShare Databases
2001 Frequently Asked Questions
Using state funds, federal funds, and TIF grant funds, there will
be $10,409,000 to spend on TexShare databases in FY01.
This is an increase of more than $7,000,000 from the combined academic
and public library database budgets in FY00.
Last year, the TexShare Advisory Board's Fees Task Force issued
three recommendations regarding TexShare databases:
1) Use TexShare funds to buy databases for both academic and public
libraries.
2) Emphasize core databases, with the option of recommending TexSelect
offerings when prudent.
3) Establish a free core set of databases available to all
TexShare libraries, both academic and public, supplemented by a
premier core of partially subsidized databases available for an
equitable fee. These subsidized offerings would be complemented
by a third set of unsubsidized TexSelect databases available at
a group discount to TexShare libraries.
What this means to you:
- Depending upon the outcome of the legislative session, we hope
to provide academic libraries access to the core database program
without paying an information access fee starting FY02 (beginning
9/01/01).
- Academic and public libraries will enjoy access to the same
free core set of databases. In order to accomplish this, some
database interfaces and some database selections may be changed.
- The TexSelect program will continue, although some TexSelect
offerings may change. While there will be ample TexSelect
offerings available to both public and academic libraries, vendor
policy may limit some TexSelect offerings to either academic or
public libraries.
The additional funds may be budgeted to:
- Increase the number of databases offering full-text and graphics
in their search and retrieval options.
- Increase the availability of remote access to the databases
(from homes and offices) for both academic and public library
patrons
- Increase the variety of databases offered
The TexShare Electronic Information Working Group (EIWG) will select
the TexShare databases. This year the Working Group has an
unprecedented opportunity to review the entire database service
in a competitive setting. In November 2000, all TexShare member
libraries were invited to complete a TexShare database survey. The
EIWG is reviewing the results of this survey, and will base its
decision, in part, on this data. If the purchasing timeframe allows,
the EIWG will invite vendors to provide statewide trials of their
products.
It is uncertain at this time how much this year's database procurement
will be driven by of the Texas state government's RFI process.
Changes in the 2000-2001 TexShare databases offerings are inevitable.
Some changes will be determined by the purchasing process we follow.
If the database service must be bid through an RFI process, the
EIWG would work with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
staff to write an RFI that reflects the best interests of the member
libraries.
Other changes are likely to occur regardless of purchasing process.
In order to ensure a core set of databases that reflects the needs
indicated in the database survey, TexShare database users may see
changes in:
Interface. Vendors that aggregate multiple databases often
standardize an interface which does not offer the full functionality
of some of the databases' native interfaces. For example, the native
interfaces for some databases offer much greater flexibility for
full-text and graphics searches. The EIWG will closely evaluate
functionality when selecting the interface(s) for delivering database
content.
Delivery Method. Databases will no longer be delivered via
local tape-loads. Tape loads are not fully supported by the vendor.
Additionally, tape loads require a great deal of maintenance.
(For end users, this will be a largely invisible change.)
Content. In the past, content of the TexShare database
programs grew in a hodge-podge way, dependent upon small, incremental
increases in budget. With the concurrent expansion of TexShare membership
and the increased budget for databases, the EIWG is taking this
opportunity for a top-to-bottom evaluation of both current and potential
database offerings. This evaluation, along with the results of the
November 2000 survey (and the constraints of the purchasing process),
will determine which products should be purchased within the current
budget.
The target date for encumbering funds for core databases is May
30, 2001. The new database offerings will be available to TexShare
members sometime after that date and before the end of the fiscal
year (June, July, or August).
The EIWG will evaluate databases according to the following 'wish
list' of features:
Interface:
- Consistent interface across databases
- User-friendly interface
- Audience-appropriate searching
- Robust search interface
- ADA-friendly
Content:
- Full text coverage
- Cover-to-cover full text
- Images included (page image and/or compound image)
- Titles appropriate and specific to the topic covered
- Adequate back file
- Comprehensive back file (not a rolling back file)
- Wide breadth of coverage
- Current information and minimal lag time
- Texas, national, international coverage (newspapers)
- Can specify the full text titles we want (newspapers)
Delivery:
- Capacity to deliver product to a consortium of our size
- Access authentication available both via IP addresses and alternate
means (gateway, password, etc.)
- Statewide remote access available
- Unlimited simultaneous use
- Access via host provider on the Internet
- Z39.50 compliant
Other:
- Accuracy of holdings information / titles lists
- Complete statistics reporting at the institutional/library level
as well as statewide
- Provides training and user-support materials
- Provides help desk / user support
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