1
Trinity University
San Antonio
We might look at a federated search product (such as WebFeat) to use as a front end on the databases. Otherwise, we are very happy with them.
January 27, 2004, 10:28 am

4
Howard Payne University
Brownwood
There can never be enough training. Online helps are useful but not used as much as we would wish.
January 27, 2004, 10:28 am

9
Tarrant County College
Fort Worth
We need to do a *much* better job letting the public know about free database access from home via their public library
January 27, 2004, 10:33 am

14
Trinity Valley Community College
Athens, TX
More training is always welcome. We are so glad to have access to this wealth of information.
January 27, 2004, 10:39 am

20
College of the Mainland
Texas City
We think the TexShare program has enriched the access of our patrons to thousands more full text articles and eBooks than they would otherwise have. As a community college we do have some needs for research on very technical/vocationsl topics that I wonder if other community colleges also have. EBSCO does have a database that covers these kinds of topics but we have found it too expensive to subscribe to individually. If aother community colleges also have this need, I would hope that this or a similar database be considered for inclusion in teh TexShare databases.
January 27, 2004, 10:43 am

22
Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas
The poor indexing quality of some databases frustrates librarians and library users. Some of the databases like EBSCO AcademicSearch lack carefully selected subject headings (in contrast to the old Wilson indexes, for example, or ERIC or Medline). TexShare has given up good cataloging/indexing in order to get a lot of full text. But this lowers both precision and completeness in searching. Likewise some of the new databases include junk titles and lack core journal titles. As customers we should express our concerns to the vendors.
January 27, 2004, 10:47 am

23
Lubbock Christian University
Lubbock
Some topic area divisions are confusing: Professional Development Collection is listed in Business & should also be in Education.
January 27, 2004, 10:48 am

24
University of Texas at El Paso Library
El Paso, TX
Due to increases in TexShare database usage fees, it would be helpful to have the option of choosing which databases we'd like to use at our library and pay our share of the fees for ONLY those products. Then our school wouldn't have to pay for products that would be seldom-used at our university, including the costs of maintaining access to those products. Some of the TexShare databases are geared more toward public library or grade-school level users rather than to academic library users. Having such an arrangement would certainly help us out, budget-wise.
January 27, 2004, 10:53 am

27
Flower Mound Public library
Flower Mound
We continue to use these databases and do our best to inform our customers of this service. I am disappointed that the BIP and some of the literary criticism sources were dropped. I am aware that based on your survey that you did quite a while ago, it might have not recieved as much use as others, but we depended on those A LOT, particularly the literary criticism sources. I know you are doing your best and we do appreciate these databases.
January 27, 2004, 10:59 am

28
Texas Woman's University
Denton
Publisize and teach every person you can how to use the resources available.
January 27, 2004, 11:05 am

32
Hardin-Simmons University
Abilene
Training opportunites are always welcome.
January 27, 2004, 11:09 am

34


Periodic training sessions, such as the ones we just had offered by both Ebsco and Gale in our local area, remind us of the range of content we do have and help to keep us up-to-date on the latest features. Ideally, "hands-on" training is best. However, when that is not possible, demonstrations are better than no updates at all. Thank you!!
January 27, 2004, 11:10 am

36
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio
We really love having STAT!Ref and Health Reference Center. We use these databases to help answer questions for our faculty and students and for the general public who use our library to find health information. We are likely not to have access to these databases if TexShare drops them.
January 27, 2004, 11:12 am

37
South Plains College
Levelland, TX
I miss Gale's Biography Resource Center that I had access to in Indiana and Alaska. Really nice fulltext source for biographical information. (We have the Index only version through Texshare). I hope we can keep TDNET. I use it all the time and everyone I show it to loves it.
January 27, 2004, 11:14 am

38
Howard College
Big Spring
Could use a full-text bioscience (other than medical/nursing) database, also sure would like more full-text nursing and dental hygiene, if at all possible given limited budget. Thanks - Use of Texshare databases answers 80% of all reference questions here.
January 27, 2004, 11:14 am

42
Lamar State College-Orange
Orange, Texas
Gale Group needs to provide a way to load periodicals articles by specific title & date so that a specific article can be located easily when access is provided. EbscoHost does this really nicely on a button called "Publications." One can then browse for a specific article.--Marilyn.Greene@lsco.edu PS We use SerialsSolutions to let patrons know what databases have what full-text available. It would be very helpful if the Gale Databases provided an easy way to show this.
January 27, 2004, 11:22 am

45
Lee College
Baytown
Extending the TexSelect offerings; pairing a TexShare user library with a non TexShare user library to see if the user library can offer personal training and demonstrate the benefits of TexShare.
January 27, 2004, 11:30 am

46
Texas Workers' Compensation Commission
Austin, TX
I don't use TexShare databases often because the needs of my reference customers don't fall easily into the categories of information covered by TexShare. This is not a criticism! This is more an explanation of why I give TexShare high marks, even though I don't make extensive use of the services.
January 27, 2004, 11:37 am

49
Victoria Public Library
Victoria
Redesign the homepage of Texshare, perhaps making it more graphical/fun. I like the alphabetical listing at the bottom, however. This makes it very easy for us the locate a database with which we are familiar. I also think having wasy access to all the titles available in the databases may be helpful, as well as a cheat sheet for "Best Databases for Images," or "Best Databases for Literary Criticism." The databases HAVE been a lifesaver. THANKS A MILLION! -Anne Marie Hilscher
January 27, 2004, 11:41 am

54
Texas Lutheran University
Seguin, TX
Sometimes it is difficult to determine coverage (dates, content). This is one reason we haven't really considered dropping print subscriptions for online -- a lot of analysis would be required, and even if we do the analysis the coverage is constantly changing. That said, the databases are indispensable! They have opened up the world to our students, faculty and staff. We are a small institution with limited funds. Prior to TexShare we had four or five stand-alone CD-ROM subscriptions and that was it. Kudos to everyone who has worked so hard to make, and keep, this a reality.
January 27, 2004, 12:01 pm

55
Texas State University, San Marcos
San Marcos, Texas
More full-text and linkable databases. Again, we would like to see a selection of more research oriented databases, like the ISI Web of Science. Feel we rely too much on Ebsco because of their proported broad inclusiveness, but are not as aware as we should be of their indexing skills and scope of coverage (years and subjects). BTW, too many alerts and e-mails regarding TexShare issues. Because TexShare is made available as packages, you should take initiative in finding out how much and what kind of overlap there is in the databases you offer. Maybe put a priority on information clients need vs. general TexShare discussions. Maybe you should set up separate TexShare lists for Collection Development or technical or price issues. Too much information at the moment.
January 27, 2004, 12:04 pm

58
LeTourneau University
Longview
Having direct links to specific databases is essential to their being used. But the subject list is also helpful to those who don't know where to go. I find the "vendor" page less "busy" and a little easier for first time users to navigate.
January 27, 2004, 12:08 pm

60
Ector County Library
Odess
Finding a better and more efficient way of educating the public about them especially students. Students are more likely to benefit from the databases and they are not even aware that their own school has the same databases that they can access. I don't think staff put enough time into showing or learning enough about the databases to pass on the information. I don't think we realize how limited we are to our libraries until we use the databases as a tool for helping the public.
January 27, 2004, 12:13 pm

62
Austin Public Library
Austin
Please bring back Electric Library! I work with children and currently all we have is Searchasaurus ( very simple) to Middle Search Plus (too high of a level). Nothing for the majority of my patrons in the middle which Electric Library covered so well. No-one ever walked away without appropriate material when we had Electric Library.
January 27, 2004, 12:25 pm

64
Abilene Christian University
Abilene
Training session on how to provide access to Texshare databases from off-campus (i.e. EZProxy)
January 27, 2004, 12:30 pm

69
UTMB Moody Medical Library
Galveston
Find a way to access the content of EBSCO through another vendor. EBSCO's search engine is awful.
January 27, 2004, 12:48 pm

72
Austin Public Library
Austin
Have noticed that patrons sometimes have a hard time grasping what the term "databases" means in this particular instance. For library staff it is hardly a problem. While it is an adequate term, perhaps it fails as a popular term for encouraging access. Perhaps a fuller description such as "full-text articles" or "reference information online," although not all-encompassing may give the average user an idea of what the Texshare databases have to offer.
January 27, 2004, 12:53 pm

79
University of Texas
Austin
A complete alphabetical or subject listing of full-text resources available and specific database(s) to use in order to access that resource. This is a very valuable service and greatly enhances the quality and depth of the reseach I can provide for faculty. Patrons (students, staff, public) are usually thrilled to learn about resources and don't seem to have any intuition that these resources are available at UT Austin, and elsewhere. It's not lack of telling them. Keep up the excellent work!
January 27, 2004, 1:04 pm

84
Houston Public Library
Houston
More publicity! Our customers cannot seem to get past the "Why can't I just look in Google" mindset.
January 27, 2004, 1:19 pm

85
Friendswood Public Library
Friendswood
With a large number of our patrons having internet access at home and since we are providing them access through our home page it makes it that more likely that they will stay away from actually coming to the library. Has anyone studied to see if the availability makes students more prone to wait to the last minute to actually do their assignment since the information is so easy to get to.
January 27, 2004, 1:19 pm

94
teague public library
teague
more more workshop
January 27, 2004, 1:33 pm

103
Tarrant County College
Ft. Worth
Keep as many as possible at all costs!
January 27, 2004, 1:49 pm

106
Waco-McLennan County Public Library
Waco
English assignments from a local high school making students use the TexShare databases.
January 27, 2004, 1:53 pm

107
Lamar University
Beaumont
na
January 27, 2004, 1:54 pm

111
Corpus Christi Public Library
Corpus Christi, TX
There are occasionally glitches with accessing the databases, (e.g. one of the Gale datases requesting a password, HeritageQuest requiring a password.) This can be very frustrating for the patron and may discourage them from trying to utilize the resource in the future. Working to see that these glitches can be corrected or circumvented quickly is the best improvement I can think of. Also, a consolidated collection of publicity and/or training materials to be used by librarians would be useful (e.g. quick access to linked sources for printable flyers, table tents, etc.)
January 27, 2004, 2:20 pm

112
Texas Woman's University
Denton
Provide a way to let individual libraries opt out of some databases in packages: we do not really need Medline and ERIC through FirstSearch; we prefer the EBSCO versions. Hopefully, convince H. W. Wilson to offer us a reasonable state license to their databases. Removing the databases from other bundled services has left us without access to most Wilson databases (we were especially upset to have Legal Periodicals Index yanked from FirstSearch midway through the academic year). These removals also have left a bad impression on us about the H. W. Wilson company.
January 27, 2004, 2:20 pm

117
Frisco Public Library
Frisco, Texas
More specific category headings ie 6th grade science
January 27, 2004, 2:47 pm

121
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX
It would be nice to pick up the Newsbank Texas Newsfile as part of the core database list.
January 27, 2004, 3:10 pm

123
Sterling Municipal Library
Baytown
I wish there were dollars for a public service campaign on the databases and their value, including more posters, PSAs, etc.
January 27, 2004, 3:11 pm

124
San Antonio College
San Antonio
Continue the workshops by the vendors.
January 27, 2004, 3:13 pm

126
Angelina College Library
Lufkin
I wanted to say that before the cuts I was satisfied with the core selection of databases and I am thankful for what has been retained. I would like the State of Texas to do more. It is a wonderful resource that the bulk of the population knows nothing about. Our students have only one address and login to access databases. Perhaps a link from the website would help. In our case students become aware of Texshare databases when they have to do research. To make more citizens aware of this resource I think public libraries and public schools need to promote use of the databases. Also, have you thought about advertising? I bet everyone in Texas has seen an ad for the anti-litter campaign. On the other hand, there is probably only one person in a thousand who has heard of Texshare.
January 27, 2004, 3:13 pm

128
Van Alstyne Public Library
Van Alstyne
I really miss having Books-in-Print. Please add it back as soon as possible. I have been using World Cat instead, and now that it has ILL links, we use it very frequently. A printed small quick reference sign or bookmark to prioritize use for different categories of reference questions would be helpful, i.e. For finding perscription drug information go here first. For current articles for research papers, try this database first. There are so many great databases, sometimes I'm not sure which one will give me the information the fastest, I just know I will find it on TexShare. And this is in spite of attending several training sessions.
January 27, 2004, 3:21 pm

130
Wharton Conty Junior College
Wharton
I miss the somewhat more simple Electric Library. For my patrons it was a good match. I would also like to see if any CQ databases could be added since Texas government is a required college course.
January 27, 2004, 3:22 pm

137
Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest
Austin
Wish the Legislature would recognize that TexShare gives them more bang for the buck than any other category of expenditures.
January 27, 2004, 3:51 pm

139
Sweeny Community Library
Sweeny
Good databases/information, but difficult to use.
January 27, 2004, 3:55 pm

141
Bryan+College Station Public LIbrary System
Bryan+College Station, TX
More workshops would be helpful. The recent additions to quick access to World Cat and a couple other databases are very helpful.
January 27, 2004, 4:07 pm

143
Harris County Public Library
Houston
We already use the TexShare databases heavily at our HCPL branch. We intensively use the journals to supplement the HCPL online periodical databases. HeritageQuest, the genealogy database, is used heavily by our customers on their own, from home. We find TexShare databases to be easy to access and easy to use.
January 27, 2004, 4:16 pm

144
Nacogdoches Public Library
Nacogdoches
Add Books in print. Need to be able to type in search term and search all the databases at once. Staff and patrons find it faster to go to Google if a specific journal article is not needed. Because the staff in a small library does not have the time to
January 27, 2004, 4:18 pm

148
Coldspring Area Public LIbrary
Coldspring
Have no suggestions to offer.
January 27, 2004, 4:36 pm

149
J.H. Wootters Crockett Public Library

My biggest problem is the confusion about usuage of teachers or students with library cards on school computers. We still don't know the answer there is a lot of uncertainty. I personally use Heritage Quest at home all the time to do genealogy research and particularly to look up census data. I have introduced others doing genealogy to that site as well. I guess it is easy to promote what you know and use. Our staff needs training here. Thanks.
January 27, 2004, 4:59 pm

151
Deer Park Public Library
Deer Park Texas
More training for staff would be useful. The training days need to vary and need to be more regular. Until recently there has been no training in the Houston area. The recent training was conducted on Friday when our library is typically short-staffed.
January 27, 2004, 5:13 pm

156
Texas A&M University Commerce Metroplex Center
Mesquite
We are very grateful for this program.
January 27, 2004, 5:42 pm

160
Cielo Vista Branch Library
El Paso, Texas
Perhaps only the most utilized databases can be included;whittle down the list and just offer the best/most comprehensive for various age groups. We just don't have time to explore all the possibilities. However, I offer the website address/password for anyone seeking to perform serious research. It's an amazing resource for serious researchers with a lot of time available to do the searching. It's probably more suited for college level students.
January 27, 2004, 8:05 pm

161
Sterling Municipal Library
Baytown
The TDNet listing of which titles are contained full-text has been extremely helpful. It has helped both the staff and the public to find their materials faster. Thank you. A problem for members of the public in using databases is that many do not understand the distinction between the Internet at large and databases. Some people know and understand the difference - others neither know nor care. I am not certain what TSL could do to educate the world at large about these resources, short of a television advertising campaign. Our reference librarians already work with people one on one to educate at point of need.
January 27, 2004, 8:46 pm

164
Jacksonville College/Norman Library
Jacksonville
Access to TexShare meets all of our expectations. The students are extremely happy with it as well as my staff and myself.
January 28, 2004, 8:15 am

166
Tarleton State University Dick Smith Library
Stephenville, Tx
I am always anxiously awaiting more census years to be indexed and searchable!
January 28, 2004, 8:37 am

167
tamiu
laredo
my only problem with anything related to the texshare databases service is that i wish we still had all the databases we had before the budget cuts. other than that it has been a fabulous boon to our small library, and i have had no problems making sure our patrons had access. keep up the good work:)
January 28, 2004, 8:47 am

169
Texas Dept. of Health
Austin, TX
We would love access to Cinahl now that Ebsco owns it.
January 28, 2004, 9:16 am

171
Jasper Public Library
Jasper
More training for staff
January 28, 2004, 9:20 am

172
Tarleton Library-Central Texas
Killeen
tv, radio and newspaper articles to the general public...market, market, market!
January 28, 2004, 9:22 am

181
Lalo Arcaute Public Library
Alamo
PLEASE add Learn-a-Test, & one of the car repair databases to the databases.
January 28, 2004, 10:24 am

185
Public Utility Commission of Texas
Austin
I very much appreciate the availability of the TexShare databases, and would consider it a significant blow if we were to lose access to them. The only thing I would suggest is the inclusion of more hard science databases; however I realize that may not be possible.
January 28, 2004, 10:28 am

186
Joe Barnhart - Bee County Library
Beeville
Perhaps a comprehensive, easily navigable, linked tutorial
January 28, 2004, 10:35 am

187
Odessa College
Odessa
Provides very importatnt access that would not be available to our users without Texshare.
January 28, 2004, 10:38 am

190
Northeast Texas Community College LRC
Mt. Pleasant
more publicity statewide and locally
January 28, 2004, 10:49 am

191
Dennis M. O'Connor Public Library
Refugio
We used it several times daily for ILL info from Books In Print. Find we don't use it as much now.
January 28, 2004, 10:51 am

193
Bell/Whittington
Portland
We are very pleased with the TexShare databases and our public is learning about this valuable program.
January 28, 2004, 10:53 am

194
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Library
Austin
Many users do not realize that many of the databases are for bibliographic use only. They think that because they have found a record for something, they should be able to read it. It would be nice if there was some more explanation about the fact that once they find something like an article or book title, they need to contact me about obtaining it. Also, making it easier to differentiate between full-text and non-full-text would make things easier.
January 28, 2004, 10:57 am

197
Collin County Community College -Central Park Campus
McKinney
Perhaps divide the offerings into group such as academic, public, etc -
January 28, 2004, 11:00 am

199
Harlingen Public Library
Harlingen, Texas
Categorize the databases as being useful, for example, to children, general public, upper class or college students, or professionals. The library staff knows what databases would be good for whom, but our users don't or may not know what kind of information would be available to them using a particular database.
January 28, 2004, 11:04 am

200
Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library
Brenham
I think we will be able to better use these databases after we have some training. We give out the password to library card holders a lot, but do not know if they are using the databases very much. Heritage Quest and WorldCat are very well-used here.
January 28, 2004, 11:05 am

204
Waco-McLennan County Library
Waco, TX
Online tutorials
January 28, 2004, 11:14 am

207
El Paso Public Library
El Paso
Instruction sheets for the patrons for each database; have a link to our web page; faster access;
January 28, 2004, 11:30 am

209
Houston Community College System
Houston
Make "spell check" a standard for all databases.
January 28, 2004, 11:42 am

212
Friench Simpson Memorial Library
Hallettsville
Perhaps a written tutorial for staff use???
January 28, 2004, 11:54 am

215
San Benito Public Library
San Benito
Please let the legislators know that this is a way to serve the populations democratically. Our small town could never afford thase resources.
January 28, 2004, 12:00 pm

216
Nueces County Public Library
Robstown, TX
Make them more "user friendly" for children and adult patrons who have few or non-existent reference or research skills. This might entail offering classes in both research skills as well as utilization of the databases.
January 28, 2004, 12:07 pm

219
Quemado Public Library
Quemado
No suggestions.
January 28, 2004, 12:19 pm

220
Houston Community College
Houston
We are trying to redesign our links to help students select databases. I was unaware of some of the databases listed on the TexShare URL given at the start of the survey. That is probably a shortcoming of our site.
January 28, 2004, 12:23 pm

222
Ed & Hazel Richmond Public Library
Aransas Pass
None at this time.
January 28, 2004, 12:30 pm

224
Driscoll Public Library
Devine, TX
A Google style search screen which covers all databases at one time would help easier for patrons. Our patrons don't have the time or patience to change databases.
January 28, 2004, 12:43 pm

225
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio
Perhaps some very accessible, brief subject-specific handouts
January 28, 2004, 12:59 pm

226
Allan Shivers Library
Woodville
More specific promotional information.
January 28, 2004, 1:37 pm

233
Tarleton State University
Stephenville
Not having access to _Education Index_ and _Applied Science & Technology Abstracts_ creates limits that were not there before.
January 28, 2004, 2:50 pm

235
ETSS (Booher Library)
Austin, Texas
We use TexShare as a portal for other EBSCO products such as ATLAS serials. This really helps our patrons: they learn one method that opens all programs.
January 28, 2004, 3:15 pm

237
El Progreso Memorial Library
Uvalde
a workshop on What each databases contains When we first got the databases it had Readers Guide and Big Chalk and I want those back those were good databases.
January 28, 2004, 3:39 pm

246
Jourdanton Community Library
Jourdanton, Texas 78026
I don't really have a suggestion. It seems like everyone just wants all the information handed to them and we don't have the staff to do it. TexShare is rarely used in our library and if it was gone, we would not even miss it.
January 28, 2004, 4:28 pm

247
Houston Community College
Houston
maybe a subscription to "academic universe"?
January 28, 2004, 4:43 pm

248
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX
Continue to add content!!
January 28, 2004, 4:45 pm

249
San Jacinto College North
Houston
TexShare is a godsend as our budgets are cut more and more.
January 28, 2004, 4:53 pm

252
Hondo Public Library
Hondo
Comprehensive system wide training. Not enough training for small libraries who would greatly benefit from these databases. Please don't forget the small libraries.
January 29, 2004, 7:47 am

255
Edinburg Public Library
Edinburg
Have a more user friedly (visually stimulating) website that users can navigate.
January 29, 2004, 8:48 am

269
Houston Public Library
Houston
Thanks to the legislature and all of your support. It helps our credibility, and helps us to provide a higher quality of professional library service. Thank you.
January 29, 2004, 11:03 am

274
George Ozuna Learning Resources Center
San Antonio
Flyers with general information about the databases and how to use them would be helpful
January 29, 2004, 11:29 am

277
Tarrant County College
Hurst
These databases have made the greatest difference to our students success in researching topics. They are wonderful and it is great to see a student's face when they realize just how much information is available for them to use both on campus and off. The only suggestion that I can make is please don't let this resource disappear!
January 29, 2004, 12:35 pm

285
LA JOYA MUNICIPAL LIBRARY
LA JOYA TEXAS 78560
N/A
January 29, 2004, 2:42 pm

289
UT-Dallas
Richardson
Have public libraries promote TexShare databases and receive full training on their use. Provide more full-text databases including newspapers and scholarly materials. Give us the chance to decide by the title whether we want to subscribe and have us pay the cost of our selected list rather than give us a generic package. Some of the generic databases are not appropriate and the money would be better spent a different way.
January 29, 2004, 4:08 pm

296
University of Texas at San Antonio Library
San Antonio, Texas
I'm very happy with TexShare offerings and the service TexShare provides. One might argue that TexShare appeals to a broader patron base than before, now that it has expanded to include all types of libraries, but that is to be expected. We would be hard-pressed to provide access to the EBSCOhost databases in particular, even though I think we consider them vital. We would definitely find it difficult to provide access to some extras, like the Texas Sanborn Digital Maps, without TexShare's assistance. I like the fact that TexShare has tried to make the best of a bad situation--state budget cutbacks--while at the same time has made efforts to improve offerings, such as the recent addition of ClasePeriodica to the core list. In addition, when I need help from the TexShare staff, I get it--and promptly. I'm very happy with TexShare offerings. I only hope they continue.
January 29, 2004, 5:21 pm

298
San Jacinto College Central
Pasadena TX
Fight the legislature to continue funding!
January 29, 2004, 6:16 pm

299
Nellie Pederson Civic Library
Clifton, TX
drop down lists of periodicals in which to find specific information. If I typed in that I qwanted medical inf a dropdown would tell me which peiodicals might contain that info or subject
January 29, 2004, 6:50 pm

302
Dimmit County Public Library
Carrizo Springs
More publicity through the school systems could improve the use of this wonderful tool for the children at schools, colleges and universities.
January 29, 2004, 7:54 pm

304
UT Southwestern Medical Center Library
Dallas
increase number of nursing journals available through TexShare. increase number of full text articles. reduce embargo time on most recent year. create a way to combine searches easily: improve the advanced search mode. cannot do a refined search like the Ovid databases or PubMed.
January 30, 2004, 7:25 am

305
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View
Expanding the selection
January 30, 2004, 9:01 am

306
Corpus Christi Public Library
Corpus Christi
On list of databases within subject areas, perhaps a brief description/few words of content. P.S. SOOOOO glad to have these! But as a serials control librarian, I do not see these databases as replacing our print/microfilm coverage.
January 30, 2004, 9:20 am

309
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington
Publicize the availability outside the libraries. It would be wonderful to have articles in local newspapers letting the public know what's available and whether access from homes is available in that community. If a grant could be found for ads in local newspapers, that would be terrific. Public awareness spots on radio would help. As long as the databases are only promoted within the libraries, you will be missing the part of the population who is not already using the libraries. Online access could potentially create an larger user group. Literally millions of dollars are being spent to provide the information. Virtually none is being spent to let people know about them. If it is not legal to use money for marketing, then a lot more staff time will need to go into the effort. That eventually translates into money too, but I guess it looks different on the balance sheet.
January 30, 2004, 10:01 am

310
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Houston
More core medical content would help me. But I recognize that medical research instiutions are a minority group in TexShare and that additionally our resources are extremelye expensive. Perhaps if you could assist with contract for these resources via TexSelect that would help.
January 30, 2004, 10:12 am

315
Palo Alto College LRC
San Antonio
We need better, full text, history resources.
January 30, 2004, 10:56 am

317
Univeristy of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Belton
none at this time
January 30, 2004, 11:15 am

328
Mathis Public Library
Mathis, Texas 78368
Please---more publicity and more accessibility.
January 30, 2004, 2:56 pm

330
Val Verde County Library
Del Rio
Links to specific vendor tutorial pages right next to their listings -- next to that "more info" link. Sell the TexShare Databases to the users directly so they will come into the library looking for their password -- make it a treasure they just have to find and access. Make it easier to get back to the TexShare Database home page or exit out of TexShare once a specific vendor is accessed -- "back" button does not always work to get you back home. Keep Ebsco, Gale, OCLC, and Heritage Quest!
January 30, 2004, 6:34 pm

331
McLennan Community College
Waco, Texas
We appreciate the databases--there is no way our library could afford these databases without TexShare!
February 2, 2004, 8:46 am

332
St. Philip's College
San Antonio
More full text articles in the databases. Better indexing of names.
February 2, 2004, 9:26 am

336
Jackson County Memorial Library
Edna
Easy access to magazine articles. High school and college students use this frequently.
February 2, 2004, 10:07 am

337
Texas Legislative Council
Austin, Texas
We would like more legal materials (e.g., law journals) available via TexShare, and perhaps a category called "Legal" so that it would be more obvious where we could find materials that address legal matters, or address issues from a legal perspective. T
February 2, 2004, 10:11 am

341
Austin College
Sherman
TexShare purchase a link resolving mechanism using OpenURL with the option to add Select databases, and even others, in the way that TDNet works to complement the product we share with our individual holdings.
February 2, 2004, 12:10 pm

342
Weatherford College
Weatherford
Add Science and History databases. Keep Heritage Quest - great resource.
February 2, 2004, 12:17 pm

347
Boerne Public Library
boerne
More inclusive topic headings on the main page. All of the databases are not represented in the topic headings. A better breakdown and explanation would help a lot of first-time users.
February 2, 2004, 3:33 pm

351
Collin County Community College
McKinney
A system-wide index is critical.
February 3, 2004, 8:28 am

356
Victoria Public Library
Victoria
I feel very strongly that it was a mistake to drop eLibrary. That was a very useful database. At the same time I hardly think the Spanish language databases receive enough usage to justify keeping them as part of the collection.
February 3, 2004, 5:37 pm

357
Collin County Community College District
Plano, Texas
Keep adding additional databases. Science databases are especially needed.
February 4, 2004, 9:30 am

358
Zapata County Public Library
Zapata, Texas 78076
The staff at Zapata County Public Library would like to have more training on TexShare Database in order to help students find the academic resoureces needed to comlete their school assignments.
February 4, 2004, 9:42 am

360
LaMarque Public Library
LaMarque
More training.
February 4, 2004, 9:45 am

361
Watauga Public Library
Watauga
I would always be in favor of adding other databases if and when funding becomes available.
February 4, 2004, 10:22 am

363
Alvarado Public Library
Alvarado
More detailed explanation about what is (or is not) contained in each database. Easier searching tools that transfer across all the databases in a fashion similar to Google's search engine. Faster access would be nice too. Even when we only have one browser open using our ISDN line it takes a very long time to go into and out of each database as we search.
January 27, 2004, 10:42 am

364
Highland Park Library
Highland Park
All publicity is appreciated, and continuous training is important. We have new employees, employees who could not attend the last sessions, and employees who need refresher courses.
January 27, 2004, 10:52 am

368
Cisco Junior College
Cisco
I want to thank you for the web page links that Texshare maintains for our library. Our small IT Services Department just could not keep up with this service and it has been very helpful to not have to use passwords on campus at least. The only thing that would improve it is what we have to do in getting remote authentication going so that we can have off-campus access.
January 27, 2004, 11:31 am

371
Texas Woman's University, Presbyterian Campus
Dallas
keep us the good work
January 27, 2004, 11:48 am

378
Waco-McLennan County Library

allow users to search by journal title in addition to the search keyword in all databases.
January 27, 2004, 1:12 pm

379
Tarrant County College
Fort Worth
Promote TexShare database coverage and depth of information to the public, so those who don't use them may discover what they are missing.
January 27, 2004, 1:16 pm

380
Houston Public Library
Houston
please restore electric library. It was more useful and user friendly than the other children's databases
January 27, 2004, 1:46 pm

383
Westbank Community Library
Austin
We have a fabulous resource - Biblionix - which tracks use of our databases from in and outside of the Library. Xan Charbonnet is the creator of this innovative software. The software generates easy to read graphs and statistical information so that we know how valuable the databases the public has access to are. So, we are able to track just how much traffic the TexShare and other databases we subscribe to have on a monthly, daily, and yearly basis. If you're interested in finding out about the software, feel free to contact Xan at xan@charbonnet.com or see more information at http://www.biblionix.com Just thought you might find this information useful. WE LOVE OUR TEXSHARE DATABASES!!
January 27, 2004, 3:21 pm

385
Houston Public Library
Houston
SHORT training sessions (in house) and information about it somewhere on our library's home page.
January 27, 2004, 4:19 pm

386
Houston Public Library
Houston
SHORT training sessions (in house) and information about it somewhere on our library's home page.
January 27, 2004, 4:19 pm

395
Weslaco Public Library
Weslaco
Smooth out the software for offsite use. The operation is a bit clunky. It is not always intuitive for the patron; generally it requires staff mediation. The selection is very good. Would it be possible for libraries to program their own selection of most-used databases on the screen?
January 28, 2004, 11:31 am

396
Tarleton State University
Stephenville
Consider combining several databases from Ebsco (into a Mega database), since there is so much overlap of journals in the databases anyway it really does not focus their topic and is a waste of time. Also we need a Texas-centric database (be able to search Texas Monthly & Dallas Morning News & Texas Almanac together).
January 28, 2004, 11:36 am

399
Office of the Governor - Economic Development & Tourism division
Austin
TexShare is a GREAT service! Our division uses the business databases from Gale Group and EBSCO all the time - mostly for state recruitment and expansion projects - and we greatly appreciate having access to them, what with budget cuts. Please do everything possible to maintain or increase TexShare funding, including increased marketing. Also, TSL's TexShare technical support person Jay Velgos, is wonderful to work with. Please compensate him well so we don't lose him.
January 28, 2004, 2:21 pm

400
Alexander Memorial Library
Cotulla
A helpful, clear, concise large-print page containing access hints to place by each computer in the library, or to give to patrons who are allowed remote access through our website.
January 28, 2004, 2:23 pm

404
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville
We're in the process of cataloging the databases.
January 29, 2004, 1:02 pm

405
Odessa College
Odessa
Don't stop the funding! We would not be able to afford these great resources without TexShare! Thanks!
January 29, 2004, 1:53 pm

409
Frisco Public Library
Frisco
Better subject grouping of databases under more specific subject headings--or less grouping and more direct access
January 30, 2004, 1:14 pm

411
University of St. Thomas
Houston
It is a wonderful program that has improved our service to students and faculty in significant ways. Keep up the good work with your efforts to support libraries. You are very much appreciated and needed!
January 30, 2004, 9:51 am

413
University of St Thomas
Houston
none can think of now
February 3, 2004, 8:37 pm

415
Alvord Public Library
Alvord
provide in print or printable form a list of what is available in the different databases. promotional handout materials for patrons (bookmarks, pamphlets) and display materials for in library use.
February 4, 2004, 1:10 pm

418
Watauga Public Library
Watauga, Texas
If we were given a content "cheat sheet" on the databases, I don't have one. Thanks! I CAN'T DO MY JOB WITHOUT ACCESS TO WORLDCAT. Appreciate all you do!
February 4, 2004, 2:36 pm

420
University of St. Thomas
Houston
None.
February 4, 2004, 8:35 pm

423
University of Houston
Houston
This is a terrific program that truly helps all citizens of Texas. I think more equipment in public libraries, along with a strong publicity campaign would increase the outreach even more. Stressing the availability of at least some Spanish language databases and information would increase access too.
February 11, 2004, 1:41 pm

431
T.L.L. TEMPLE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
DIBOL, TX 75941
NEED MORE HANDS ON TRAINING SUCH AS THE WORKSHOPS HELD BY EBSO & GALE THE WERE VERY HELPFUL.
February 13, 2004, 7:56 pm

432
University of Houston
Houston
Keep going in the present direction! Great resource!
February 13, 2004, 8:09 pm

440
Mount Calm Public Library
Mount Calm
Please continue the subscription to Heritage Quest. It is, by far, the most user-friendly genealogy service out there, and our patrons greatly appreciate the ease of finding census data. It is, frankly, easier to access than some of the other subscriptions. The question about ease of accress was hard to answer, because some of the databases are easy & some not-so-easy. I answered "somewhat difficult" because when a database is indeed difficult to get to and wander around in,it seems to overshadow the easy ones.
February 17, 2004, 1:34 pm

441
Stonewall County Library
Aspermont
I have not attended a database workshop yet but believe after doing so I will gain the knowledge to better utilize them.
February 18, 2004, 8:24 am

446
Western Texas College
Snyder, Texas
More publicity - put more information out there.
February 20, 2004, 8:56 am

449
San Antonio Public Library
San Antonio, TX
Simpify the access and add some descriptors to the data bases.
February 24, 2004, 7:35 am

452
Pflugerville Community Library
Pflugerville, TX
I use the databases all the time and probably could not offer a complete reference service without them. It has been difficult to get the public library patrons to realize what a wealth of information is available to them. People who have used the databases through higher education are much more willing to search them. More mass communication publicity (radio, TV and newspapers) may help. Thanks
February 24, 2004, 1:02 pm

453
Wells Branch Community Library
Austin
CE events on the web, email, or by mail.
February 25, 2004, 4:26 pm

454
Yoakum County Library
Plains
We love the database at our library. We use World Cat several times a day to find books for patrons.
February 25, 2004, 4:29 pm

460
Abilene Public Library
Abilene,Texas
More staff awareness and practice using databases; More publicity
February 25, 2004, 5:22 pm

465
Killgore Memorial Library
Dumas
About the survey itself: On questions 1 and 2, I really felt my answer was in the middle ground, but the middle ground on the form is "no opinion". I have an opinion--the content and access is OK, but could be improved. I felt the form left little room for those who disagreed (or agreed), but to a milder degree. On question 4, the third comment referred to the purchase of print references. The comment was unclear (to me) and seemed to infer that I would stop buying ALL rpint references, which is certainly NOT the case.
February 26, 2004, 8:15 am

471
Austin Public Library
Austin
We would like TexShare to consider purchasing the historical newspaper collection from Proquest, especially the New York Times. Other suggested purchases are ReferenceUSA and more Gale databases, especially Biographical Resource Center. Even from Ebsco we might try to get their history, automotive, book database instead of so many bibliographic databases.
February 26, 2004, 9:51 am

472
Swisher County Library
Tulia, Texas
n/a
February 26, 2004, 10:26 am

473
Killgore Memorial Libray
Dumas
I have trouble with the newspaper and magazine sources on the texshare database. I have found it's easier for me so search for articles on the internet rather than on the data base.
February 26, 2004, 11:18 am

481
Weslaco Public Library
Weslaco
We have it as a menu bar on our main menu (Carl Menubuilder). That helps steer more people to it, but most go gallivanting off on the Internet. They just don't realize what a help the databases would be. It requires librarian intervention to steer them to it.
February 26, 2004, 5:07 pm

482
Texas A & M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX
Include more databases that reflect cultural diversity in Texas. Ethnic Newswatch is a good example.
February 26 , 2004, 6:02 pm

487
Galveston College
Galveston
Some of the databases offer only abstracts which are no help to our students. I would rather they are left out of the list if Full Text is not available.
February 27, 2004, 9:37 am

490
Idalou Community Library
Idalou, Texas
Unsure of how to improve
February 27, 2004, 2:28 pm

493
Carrollton Public Library
Carrollton , TX
If the interface did not look the same on many of the databases, people (Staff and public ) could better remember which database better met their needs, to use it again.
March 1, 2004, 11:46 am

If you have questions please contact:

Russlene Waukechon
TexShare Database Coordinator
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
512.463.7402
512.936.2306 Fax
rwaukchn@tsl.state.tx.us