News Release
[Library Name]
[Contact Name and Phone Number]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Date]

TexShare resources now available at the [Library Name]

[City] – Thanks to a partnership between [Library Name] and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, [City/County] residents have access to an amazing wealth of information resources for research, education, enjoyment, and business purposes—free of charge. The TexShare databases contain accurate, current, and comprehensive information, unlike much of what is found just searching on the Internet. These electronic resources, available from the [Library Name], are easily accessible from the library, the home, or office.

The TexShare databases include resources such as online books, full-text magazine and newspaper articles, genealogy materials, medical reference books, and literary references. By negotiating licenses for these resources at the state level, individual libraries avoid millions of dollars in charges they would pay to subscribe to the resources individually. For example, a library the size of [Library Name] would have paid [go to http://www.texshare.edu/programs/academicdb/costavoidance.html to get the cost avoidance amount for your size/type of library] to subscribe to the resources individually. Instead, [City Name] only paid [amount] for access to these resources. There is no cost for [City/County Name] residents to use these databases.

Notes [Library Name] Director [Name], “The TexShare Databases are a win-win situation for [City/County] citizens. We all have access to a rich collection of resources, and at the same time the library is saving money.” [Anecdote about how a library user has benefited from TexShare and quote from patron.]

To learn more about the TexShare databases, visit the [Library Name]’s Web site at [Web address], or call the library at [phone number].

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Press Release Tips

The workhorse of news dissemination is the press release. Every day, thousands of press releases are sent out all over the country to newspapers, magazines, and radio and television stations. Of these, only a small number are used, and most are severely edited. However, they can be highly effective.

The style of a press release is that of a straight news story. It begins with a lead (your first paragraph containing the most essential information). The remainder of the release expands on the lead and proceeds to present information in decreasing order of importance.

The lead is the most important part of your press release. A quick glance at the lead should tell the editor whether to use the release. A good summary lead will answer the key questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why?

How to get the media to write an article/produce a news story based on your press release:

1. Send the release in the media outlet’s desired format, whether by mail, e-mail or fax.
2. Address your release to a specific person if possible.
3. Follow up a day or two after you send the press release by telephone. Did the editor receive the release? State why the readership/audience of the media outlet needs to know about the subject of the release. Ask if you can provide additional information or sources for an article. Offer to send the release again, and follow up a second time if necessary.