TexShare Library Consortium Overview

1
TexShare Library Consortium Overview
Library Resource Sharing Division Texas State
Library Archives Commission
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What is TexShare?

• TexShare is a statewide cooperative program
  designed to improve library services to Texans
• TexShare is a program of the Texas State Library
  Archives Commission (TSLAC) in partnership with
  Texas libraries
• TexShare services are designed to help each
  member library fulfill its unique mission
• TexShare is a member-driven program

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TexShare Goals

• Maximize the effectiveness of library
  expenditures by enabling libraries to
• Share library resources in print electronic
  formats
• Pursue joint purchasing agreements for
  information services
• Encourage cooperative development deployment
  of information resources technologies
• Share staff expertise

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TexShare Summary

• Approximately 700 member libraries
• TexShare web site (www.texshare.edu)
• TexShare programs and services
• TexShare Database Program
• Library of Texas Service
• TexShare Card Program
• TExpress Courier Service

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TexShare Database Program

• Offers a core of online electronic databases
• Offers a number of other databases available at
  reduced prices through the TexShare consortium
• Almost 700 libraries have access
• Member libraries support the database service
  financially through participation fees

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Library of Texas Service

• Allows users to discover and retrieve
  information from multiple library catalogs, and
  the TexShare databases
• At present, the Library of Texas searches
  through the catalogs of over 100 libraries and
  most TexShare databases
• Provides library users the full-text articles,
  interlibrary loan requests, and links to online
  bookstores
• Visit the Library of Texas at
  www.LibraryofTexas.org

7
TexShare Card Program

• Allows registered users of TexShare Card
  libraries to directly borrow materials from other
  participating libraries
• Currently there are over 500 Texas libraries in
  the program

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TExpress Courier Service

• Provides two-way delivery between participating
  libraries statewide
• Courier comes to the library every day to pick up
  and/or deliver packages
• Participating libraries pay a reduced rate for
  the service

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TexShare Benefits

• Offers significant cost savings to individual
  libraries
• Delivers quality information resources that
  enhance education, health, and economic well
  being across Texas
• Enables information exchange among all Texans to
  ensure lifelong learning
• Statewide purchasing of electronic databases
  ensures the lowest price to maximize the
  purchasing power of library budgets
• Reduces the cost of transporting library
  materials around the State

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At the heart of TexShare is the synergy that
occurs when librarians work together to serve
customers in diverse ways.
Find out more about TexShare online at
www.texshare.edu