Texshare Communication Plan

TexShare Communication Plan

As adopted by the TexShare Advisory Board

August 26, 2002

TexShare Communication Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary Page 1

Background Page 2

Brief History Page 3

Utilization and Cost Savings Page 5

Challenges for Accomplishing Plan Goals Page 5

Priorities for TexShare Database Program Page 6

Timelines and Important Dates Page 7

Roles and Responsibilities Page 8

Key Messages Page 10

Outreach Strategies Page 13

Success Tracking Page 19

Recommendations Page 20

Exhibit A Survey Page 22

Exhibit B TexShare Database Listing Page 26

Exhibit C Estimated Cost Avoidance Page 36

TexShare Communication Plan August 26, 2002

Executive Summary

Texas’ vast rural areas. A growing and increasingly diverse population. High poverty rates. Increasing reliance on electronic information.

These trends present special challenges for library services. TexShare provides a valuable solution through its program of resource sharing among Texas libraries. The program stretches local budgets, erases distance barriers and levels the playing field so that all Texans have access to the information they want and need.

The TexShare Database Program (TexShare) provides a wealth of electronic database resources to over 600 libraries in the state. In the following pages, you will find a Communication Plan (CommPlan) outlined for the TexShare databases. Many stakeholders’ ideas are represented in this document. The CommPlan identifies stakeholder roles and responsibilities, and sets goals and strategies for building greater public awareness of the databases. It is also designed to increase utilization of the databases so that TexShare more fully reaches its potential.

The CommPlan has been developed in collaboration with:

Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) staff;

Representatives of TexShare stakeholder groups who participated in a planning meeting on July 24, 2002, including TexShare Advisory Board members, Texas Library Association, public librarians, Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund subcommittee members, lay advocates, members of the regional library systems, TexShare Education and Electronic Information working group members, employees of the Texas Education Agency, academic librarians, and members of the Texas Independent College and University Libraries (TICUL);

Public and academic library directors (50 in total) polled in a telephone survey conducted between July 8 and July 19, 2002 (see Exhibit A); and the CommPlan contractor, Center for Media Training, Inc. of Austin.

1 TexShare Communication Plan August 26, 2002

Our discussions centered on:

 Ideas for energizing the library partners of TexShare to promote greater use of the databases. This means tapping their passion for the Program and motivating them to action.

 Appropriate stakeholder roles and responsibilities.

 Strategies for creating greater public awareness of and access to TexShare databases while focusing on key dates and timelines.

Background

Libraries fulfill an important role in society. They link us to vast amounts of high quality, useful information and provide books, music, periodicals, journals, tapes, videos, and electronic databases. Libraries are critical to an educated populace, not only for youngsters during years of schooling, but for life long learners as well.

When researching topics, finding too much information can be as bad as too little. People looking for reference material can be overwhelmed by the amount of data. Librarians are navigators – they help people find the right information when they can’t on their own. And then they teach these folks how to do it for themselves the next time.

The proliferation of Internet sites makes it increasingly important to locate reference sources that are accurate, relevant and timely. Libraries, and especially librarians, are critical links in connecting computer users to age-appropriate and well-researched information.

TexShare exists as a cooperative program for improving library service to Texans. Members include public libraries that belong to regional library systems, academic libraries, and libraries of clinical medicine. TexShare enables these libraries to offer a broader range of materials and services than any single library could provide.

Specifically, the TexShare electronic databases provide some of the more powerful research tools available today. They’re available 24 hours a day in the homes or offices of registered patrons of participating libraries. Sixty databases are included; they provide full-text articles from encyclopedias, almanacs, journals and newspapers. Entire books can even be read while on-line. Database topics include homework help for students, health information, business information, biography and genealogy, as well as literature and archival information.

Brief History of TexShare

The idea that electronic resources could be shared among hundreds of library institutions -- at significant cost savings -- was recognized over fourteen years ago.

Texas academic library directors first proposed an academic statewide resource- sharing project in 1988. TexShare was funded in Fiscal Year 1994 under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). TexShare members Texas A&M University and the University of Houston administered the new program while under contract with THECB. These two institutions, along with Amigos Library Services, provided the initial vision and dedication needed to manage the new program during the following two years. The 53 publicly supported four-year academic and medical libraries were the original TexShare members.

The online database program was a cornerstone of the TexShare consortium and included access to five databases (ABI Inform, Periodicals Abstracts, ERIC, Commerce Business Daily and the Federal Register). A database access fee was assessed to members that elected to participate in the database program. The fee was based on library size. Member assessments accounted for 25% of the database subscription costs; the remaining 75% of the costs were paid for with state funding.

Additional database offerings were available through the TexSelect program. Libraries paid the full subscription costs of TexSelect databases, but benefited from discounts that were available because of consortial pricing.

During the 1995-1997 biennium, program development continued. Administration duties were transferred over to the University of Texas at Austin in Fiscal Year 1996, and Amigos Library Services continued to provide support. The Texas Library Association’s legislative program promoted increased funding and expanded membership. This effort culminated in HB 2721 (75th Session) that expanded TexShare membership to independent academic institutions and community colleges. In addition, TexShare was established as a program of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Fiscal Year 1998, although it continued to be administered by contract to Amigos and UT/Austin at this time. Another round of legislation allowed for the merger of the TexShare funds with the TSLAC database funds for collective purchasing. At the time the funds were merged (FY 2000/2001), the state was spending approximately $2.9 million annually for database subscriptions.

Meanwhile, public libraries were provided database access through a separate program, the Texas State Electronic Library (TSEL). Public libraries had access to many more databases, including all of the databases available through OCLC's First Search and the Encyclopedia Britannica. Due to less proliferation of Internet and database access technologies in public libraries, use was not as widespread as in the academic libraries and remote use was not implemented at all. Over time, the number and

3 TexShare Communication Plan August 26, 2002 variety of public library databases also grew, and joint agreements with the academic libraries of TexShare were negotiated. Participating libraries paid no fees for the databases.

The 1997-1999 biennium brought several changes. During the 76th Session, HB 1433 was passed. This brought public libraries into the TexShare fold. In Fiscal Year 2000, the State Library assumed full administrative responsibility for TexShare with Amigos and UT/Austin continuing their roles as Strategic Partners. These partners contracted to operate the TExpress courier service and TexShare technical Web support services, respectively.

With the influx of an extra $7 million in funding from a Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board (TIF) grant, the opportunity to build a premier, consolidated database program presented itself. The TexShare Electronic Information Working Group (EIWG) was charged with making database recommendations to the TSLAC. TSLAC surveyed member libraries for the content categories desired. Survey results were tabulated by type of library (public, four-year, community college, medical) and as a TexShare-wide total.

EIWG met to determine factors important to include on a Request for Information (RFI) for databases. A major goal was to deliver full text information 24 hours a day to the citizens of Texas. On June 15, 2001, 60 databases became available for both academic and public libraries.

A demonstration remote access project was begun in August of 2001. Libraries were able to provide log-ins and passwords for patrons that wanted to access the databases from outside of the library. The Customized Gateway program is currently replacing this demonstration project. It was begun on April 2002 after three months of testing with a select group of libraries. The Customized Gateway Program provides libraries with a unique Web address, unique login and password, and unique Web page that includes the library's name, address, and reference desk telephone number.

Most recently, TexShare informational materials were added to the Texas State Library's Press Pass page in June 2002.

A listing of the databases with descriptions are found at Exhibit B.

Utilization of TexShare Databases and Related Cost Savings

Public Libraries: 478 libraries - 17,900,000 users Community Colleges: 52 institutions - 647,000 users 4-year Institutions: 94 institutions - 438,000 users

Over 70% of the public librarians in our July telephone survey and all of the academic librarians rated access to the databases from “important” to “critical” for their patrons. Similarly, nearly 60% of the public libraries and all of the academic libraries reported they actually use the databases either “frequently” or “all the time.”

In the first year of the expanded database program, July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002, estimates reveal that the 634 libraries participating in the Program would have paid $602,022,000 to purchase the database subscriptions and e-book collection that were purchased by TSLAC (through a grant from TIF) for under $11,000,000.

The database subscriptions, if purchased individually, would have cost participating libraries over $129 million. The e-book collection would have cost these libraries more than $473 million. Additional cost avoidance figures for 2001-2002 by size and type of library are shown on Exhibit C.

Database and e-book costs are expected to increase each year. Stakeholders should be aware that the reported levels of cost avoidance can only be retained if funding for the Program increases proportionately.

Challenges for Accomplishing Plan Goals

Texans have a wealth of information at their fingertips through access to TexShare databases, but not all Texans know about it. In addition, not all libraries are making full use of these resources. Several communication challenges were identified during the course of our work:

 It was noted that librarians don’t always inform patrons about the existence of the databases. In our survey, respondents mentioned the problem of having very limited time to work closely with patrons.

 Many libraries use their own gateway pages; patrons accessing the services are not aware they are using a component of TexShare.

 Lack of knowledge about specific databases was also mentioned as an obstacle for librarians. As mentioned elsewhere in this report, the need for further training at the local level is apparent.

 Signage is not in place to help advertise TexShare. Further, in some libraries only reference librarians have access to databases on their computers.

 Explaining TexShare in terms everyone can understand is very difficult.

 Finally, funding is limited for public awareness activities across the state.

Priorities for TexShare Database Program

Continued access to TexShare databases is clearly a high priority for many in the library community. A number of needs or challenges for TexShare have been identified as part of the planning process:

1. Stable, recurring funding with built-in annual increases. This implies that funding will become available apart from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund, or TIF.

2. Greater visibility of TexShare by librarians and end users.

3. Better understanding by librarians of TexShare’s offerings as a result of additional training and communication at local levels.

4. Outreach strategies to garner potential users with an emphasis on developing and distributing informational materials.

5. Clear and simple communication

6. Ways to make TexShare even more relevant to users.

7. Effective sharing of information with legislators, especially rural representatives, on the value of databases for their constituents.

8. Method for establishing brand identity.

9. Stronger partnerships with stakeholders.

10. More emphasis on collecting data about usage. The current state of technology has limited TexShare’s ability to collect usage information. As an example, libraries with remote access web pages and proxy servers can calculate their database “hits.” Facilities using the generic gateway cannot figure the numbers of users.

Timeline of the Communication Plan

Successfully executing the recommendations contained in this CommPlan will likely take more than a year. Groups of stakeholders are invited to participate at varying levels. The CommPlan is expected to commence in September 2002, build momentum throughout the 78th legislative session, and continue into the Fall 2003

Important Dates for Consideration

Fall 2002 September 3, 2002 Start Date for TexShare Communication Plan

September, 2002 Legislative Budget Board meetings National Library Card Sign-up Month

November 6, 2002 Election results

Winter 2002-2003 January 14, 2003 Texas Legislature convenes

January, 2003 Legislative Committee meetings

February 12, 2003 TLA Legislative Day in Austin

Spring 2003 April 1—April 4, 2003 TLA Annual Conference in Houston

April, 2003 Legislative Conference Committee meetings

April 6 - 12, 2003 National Library Week

Summer 2003 July 21, 2003 Annual Assembly

Roles and Responsibilities

The following roles and responsibilities are proposed in order to achieve CommPlan goals and clarify the functions of various stakeholders:

TexShare Advisory Board Provides oversight of CommPlan implementation Develops goals for increasing the public awareness of TexShare Sets priorities and task assignments Communicates regarding roles and responsibilities to stakeholders

Texas State Library and Archives Commission Coordinates development and implementation of CommPlan Develops written informational pieces and website pages to explain TexShare databases Provides information to TLA as requested for their advocacy efforts Serves as central source of library information regarding TexShare Issues librarian toolkits such as press releases, posters, and bookmarks Measures/collects information on how well the CommPlan is succeeding Delivers training to local libraries regarding TexShare

TexShare Working Groups Serve as catalysts for developing training and promotional materials Recommend measurement statistics to be gathered around the CommPlan initiatives Identify educational material to share with library partners

10 Regional Library Systems Serve as primary communication channels to public libraries statewide Report on successful press relations and public awareness activities of TexShare at regional meetings Provide regular (four to six times in fiscal year) reports to TSLAC about public awareness activities Collaborate with other stakeholders to produce public awareness program materials Deliver training to local libraries regarding TexShare

Texas Library Association Serves as a key communication channel to provide information to librarians Coordinates providing information to legislators, agencies and committees Promotes TexShare databases at meetings and conferences Develops media, such as television and radio spots, to promote databases Publishes related articles in magazine and newsletters

Public librarians Promote greater use of TexShare databases by patrons Design local public education programs around TexShare database tools Reach out to the community through targeted media relations Participate in continued education centered on the databases Report summaries of communication activities to Regional Library Systems

Academic librarians Promote greater use of TexShare databases by faculty, staff and students Design educational programs around TexShare databases Contact administrators regarding the value of the Program

Academic Library Associations Serve as communication point for targeted email messages Adopt suggested CommPlan tactics and promote them to members Report summary of communication activities to TSLAC

TexShare Strategic Partners Support TexShare communication efforts through specific channels, such as electronic discussion lists, TexShare website, and TAE Gazette

Friends of Libraries and Archives of Texas Adopt suggested CommPlan tactics and promote them to members Assist librarians in serving as advocates for TexShare

Medical librarians Promote greater use of TexShare databases by health professionals Design educational programs around TexShare databases

Texas Education Agency/ Texas Library Connection Discuss information about TexShare with school librarians Provide tools to schools for use in annual teacher training, PTA, and other forums Promote the Program in its magazines and conferences Make note of TexShare resources on its website Collaborate with other stakeholders to produce public awareness materials Coordinate training materials – as a joint TEA/TSLAC effort -- for school librarians on the use of TexShare databases and the relationship between TexShare and the Texas Library Connection

Other groups that are recommended for participation in CommPlan activities:

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors of Texas Association of Texas Colleges and Universities Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas Texas Medical Association Texas Association of Community Colleges Texas Association of College Teachers Texas Junior College Teacher’s Association Texas Association of School Boards Parent Teacher Associations Texas Distance Learning Association Texas Computer Education Association Texas Council of Community/Junior College Librarians Texas Council of State University Librarians Texas Municipal League Council of Governments Chambers of Commerce Economic Development agencies

These organizations will be invited to help build public awareness of TexShare through their websites, publications, and conferences.

Key Messages

The Texas Library Association is using the following phrase as an identifying tag line in their public relations efforts relating to the databases:

Beyond the Internet

In TLA’s commercial, they’ve used the line similarly: “Electronic information beyond the Internet”

TLA’s efforts present an opportunity for implementation in the TexShare CommPlan. The tag line could be used in all public awareness materials to help explain TexShare.

Participating stakeholders have created the following key messages for use in spreading the “good news” about TexShare databases:

Concerning advocacy by librarians across the State:

Librarians have the know-how and commitment to help patrons learn to use the TexShare databases. It’s important to spread the word so that these rich information resources remain available for all Texans.

Advocate for TexShare…or lose it!

Want to take some weight off your shoulders and be a hero in your hometown? Without spending a dime, you can immediately expand your library resources. How? Learn to use and promote the TexShare electronic databases.

Message directed to librarians:

With so many websites at our fingertips, it’s important to offer informative, age-appropriate information people can count on. TexShare databases expand the information found in the reference section of your library through the power of the Internet. Electronic information is key to library services now -- and in the future.

Messages directed to members of the public:

With so many websites available at our fingertips, it’s important to find information we can count on. The Texas State Library wants everyone to know that more than 60 electronic databases are available free of charge at their local libraries. Whether looking for medical information, writing school reports, or checking stock quotes, these valuable resources have the information Texans need.

Using electronic information FREE at your local library can enrich your life. Whether you’re looking for tips about caring for a pet hamster, your family history or stock quotes, databases are available there to provide accurate and timely answers. Discover the world at your library!

Messages regarding costs and cost savings:

TexShare helps everyone obtain information needed for education, lifelong learning, and economic development in a very cost-effective way. Through TexShare, state government can provide huge services to citizen for pennies per person.

Through TexShare electronic databases, you touch the lives of over 17,900,000 public library users for only $1.63 per user per year.

Funding is secured for TexShare through August 2003. An additional grant through August 2004 has been requested from TIF. It’s important for the future of TexShare to secure stable funding through August 2005 and 2006: this will take $10 million and $12 million, respectively.

Other sound bites that have been identified:

The Library without Walls!

Closing the digital divide that kept many Texans from obtaining credible, reliable information.

Comprehensive electronic library services where, when, and how users need them.

Outreach Strategies for Building Greater Awareness of TexShare

There is a pressing need to share information statewide about the benefits of the TexShare databases. The purpose of this CommPlan is to spread the positive story of the Program to a wide variety of stakeholders, thereby reaching a diverse group of constituents. Communication tactics outlined below address this need – while recognizing the arena of limited staffing, short timelines, tight budgets and government requirements.

Objective: Create an implementation task force

Task: Create a task force to help coordinate and carry out public awareness functions outlined in this CommPlan. Volunteers will be solicited from throughout the state -- and will represent a variety of stakeholder groups – to help energize the library community around CommPlan objectives and goals.

To be performed by: TexShare Advisory Board with input from TSLAC and TLA

Objective: Provide current, comprehensive information templates and toolkits that can be easily customized to share with a wide variety of audiences

Task: Determine priorities for developing materials for selected audiences.

To be performed by: TSLAC and TexShare Working Groups

Task: Write an outline of talking points and facts for use in media interviews and speech making

To be performed by: TSLAC and TLA

Task: Develop a library computer screen saver program that compares the TIF phone bill charges and what those amounts buy in library resources. Emphasize the business references, government services, genealogy, healthcare, and other resources in the databases.

To be performed by: TSLAC and TLA

Task: Provide information and assistance to TLA as requested for their advocacy efforts.

To be performed by: All stakeholder groups

Task: Prepare informational messages about the Press Pass website – a source for press releases, brochures, bookmarks, logos and fact sheets. Develop posters for display.

To be performed by: TSLAC

Task: Design a PowerPoint presentation that explains the Program for use in presentations to community groups.

Objective: Build greater brand awareness of TexShare electronic databases

Task: Place more prominent icons or links on local library websites

To be coordinated by: TSLAC

Task: Organize student orientation classes and library tours

To be performed by: Academic librarians at local levels; local public librarians with help from Regional Library Systems.

Task: Place informational articles in student newspapers

To be performed by: Academic librarians in concert with TSLAC

Task: Build stronger relationships with local school librarians emphasizing that TexShare stakeholders recognize the importance of TLC. Query them as to what can be done do to help both programs get the word out to more parents.

To be performed by: School librarians, TSLAC, TEA

Task: Add signage to computer workstations in libraries – posters, flyers

To be performed by: Librarians based on toolkit from TSLAC

Task: Send informational notices to faculty members at start of each semester

To be performed by: Academic librarians

Task: Send an electronic newsletter to patrons 2-4 times a year

To be performed by: Librarians in concert with Regional Systems and TSLAC

Task: Provide ongoing one-on-one or small classes for library patrons on database searching that highlights TexShare resources

To be performed by: Public librarians in concert with Regional Systems and academic librarians

Task: Speak to community groups on topics such as genealogy, history and business applications

To be performed by: Librarians in concert with the TexShare Advisory Board. Several presentations with handouts should be developed for easy use as part of the TSLAC toolkit.

Objective: Assist librarians in informing key decision makers about the value of their services, including electronic databases

Task: Prepare informational materials for distribution to librarians.

To be performed by: TLA

Task: Send messages about TexShare needs to academic listservs along with access links for promotional materials. Request that academicians advocate the value of the program to school administrators.

To be performed by: Academic librarians and TLA

Task: At the fall membership meeting of the regional systems, include an agenda item about TexShare. Have TSLAC provide toolkits, templates and other informational material to meeting participants. Invite members to contact libraries statewide and distribute TexShare information to them.

To be performed by: Regional Systems with assistance from TSLAC

Task: Have a Communication Plan event in January involving 75% of libraries. Encourage each library to talk to at least one community group.

To be performed by: Local libraries in concert with Regional Systems, TLA, TSLAC, and TexShare Advisory Board

Objective: Provide training opportunities that focus on the value of the databases, best practices, mentoring and train-the-trainer.

Task: Provide one-on-one training of library staff

To be performed by: Regional library systems, academic librarians, TEA, and TSLAC.

Task: Provide alternate means of training of library staff, to include listservs, videoconferencing, online learning, special training in conjunction with vendors.

To be performed by: TSLAC, Regional library systems, academic librarians, TEA

Objective: Identify community groups that could benefit from the services of TexShare: identify their information needs and communicate how the databases can assist them by providing articles, illustrations, conference programs, and exhibit booths.

Task: Prepare a flyer with graphics demonstrating the cost savings for communities based on use of Program resources. Flyer will be distributed as a handout to community groups.

Task: Develop messages for community network websites that target broader populations of potential users of the databases, especially in rural areas

To be performed by: Local librarians based on TSLAC toolkit

Task: Contact local medical societies and ask for their help in getting the word out in the community

To be performed by: Local librarians, librarians from clinical medicine libraries

Objective: Identify and integrate databases into specific community uses

Task: Create subject bibliography of databases based on the needs of various elements of the community

Task: Build awareness with city personnel and elected council members utilizing current working relationships and Texas Municipal League members

To be performed by: Local public librarians in concert with TLA

Task: Investigate the value of sharing information about the program with intergovernmental agencies such as the Public Utility Commission

To be performed by: TLA

Task: Contact chambers of commerce to provide information regarding business research applications

To be performed by: Local librarians

Objective: Collect and disseminate stories of how the databases have changed lives

Task: Collect and share success stories from users by email or on a selected website.

To be performed by: TSLAC, Regional Library Systems, TLA, and academic library groups

Objective: Educate the staff aides of legislators on the value of the databases for their own research needs and the needs of their constituents

Task: Develop a template and offer customized web pages for legislative aides

Task: Provide selected training and demonstrations to legislative staff as requested

To be performed by: TLA and TSLAC

Task: Identify friends of TexShare who will spread the benefit message

To be performed by: TLA, TSLAC and TexShare Advisory Board

Objective: Conduct media relations campaign

Task: Contact local media representatives (TV, radio, newspaper, magazine) to pitch stories about how patrons are using TexShare databases to find information about their families, health issues and business needs

To be performed by: Local librarians based on phone scripts, press releases and fax alerts developed by TSLAC

Task: Contact local media representatives (TV and radio) to request guest appearances on morning/noon news or call-in talk shows

To be performed by: Local librarians based on phone script and fax alert developed by TSLAC

Task: Edit portions of TLA’s 30-second video to produce TV and radio public service announcements (PSA)

To be performed by: TLA with distribution to interested local librarians willing to “shop” the PSA to their local stations.

Task: Edit portions of TLA’s 30-second video to produce b-roll (background video footage) to encourage television newsrooms to do stories on TexShare

To be performed by: TLA with distribution to interested local librarians willing to “shop” the b-roll to their local stations.

Task: Write stock articles about TexShare and coordinate publication of these in trade association magazines and newsletters

To be performed by: TSLAC for the larger circulation trade magazines

Task: Write guest articles for community-based magazines. These magazines are health-related or community-focused publications that accept short information articles about topics related to their region.

To be performed by: Local librarians based on TSLAC samples

Task: Write op-eds for local newspapers. Op-eds are published on the editorial page of local papers. They typically run 600 words or less and advocate a position on a topic of social concern. Often they are bylined by community leaders or legislators.

Task: Seek to meet with the editorial board of the local newspaper to promote your program ideas — in hopes they’ll write an editorial about it

Task: Hold promotional events connected to specially designated days like National Library Card Sign-up Month

To be performed by: Local librarians

How to Track Success

In our telephone survey, librarians expressed a readiness to more effectively promote TexShare to their patrons. Despite time constraints, more than half of the library directors we contacted stated they would allocate from one to 20 hours a month to do so. All agreed they would be willing to update TSLAC by email of their promotional activities.

It is important for the grass roots efforts encouraged in this CommPlan to be reported on a regular basis to a central source. One possibility for this would be a brief monthly email requesting a listing of outreach activities performed that month and the estimated “number of impressions” made for each activity.

Additional benchmarks should be considered at the outset of the plan:

1. Secure funding for TexShare for state fiscal year 2004 2. 100% of academic libraries and 80% of public libraries will provide links to the TexShare databases including the TexShare logo from their library Web pages by August 31, 2003 3. Database usage statistics will indicate over 16,322,000 sessions in state fiscal year 2002, and over 17,000,000 sessions in state fiscal years 2003 and 2004 4. Increase the number of public libraries with populations of 25,000 or less that offer remote access to the database program by enrolling 25% of public libraries in towns with populations less than 25,000 in the remote access service by August 31, 2003 5. Target brand impressions of 1 million by December 2003

Recommendations

Given the scope of the CommPlan and the “heavy lifting” that will be required by many of the stakeholders, it is recommended that objectives and related tasks be assigned according to priority. We recommend the following priorities for Year One:

Quarter 1 – September 1 to November 30, 2002 Create implementation task force Develop priority list for public awareness materials Produce materials, articles, talking points, fact sheets Provide information to TLA as needed to meet its goals Provide short email newsletters to librarians regarding upcoming communication plan activities (this is priming the pump); include success stories to build motivation Provide additional training to librarians Invite librarians to promote TexShare databases as part of National Library Card Sign-up Month in September; send press releases to print media Invite academic librarians to inform their administrators

Quarter 2 – December 1, 2002 to February 28, 2003 Promote the use of the new screen icons (links to databases and TexShare logo) at library access points Involve academic librarians and faculty for start of spring semester Promote public library events showcasing TexShare across the state during the month of January Place flyers/signage at library access points Promote library tours and classes to be provided by librarians Provide additional training to librarians Assist in education of legislative staff about TexShare Identify community groups that could benefit from TexShare Disseminate more stories of how citizens have benefited from TexShare Edit TLA video for use in PSA’s and television footage Begin outreach efforts to local media

Quarter 3 – March 1 to May 31, 2003 Plan special events for National Library Week in April; invite the media Book speaking engagements with community groups Design PowerPoint presentation Develop messages for community network websites Contact local medical societies Contact Chambers of Commerce Educate legislative staff aides as requested Write guest articles for periodicals Write op-ed article Continue outreach efforts to local media

Quarter 4 – June 1 to August 31, 2003 Continue outreach to local media Promote summer student classes and additional library tours Develop articles for student newspapers Prepare tasks for start of academic year Develop electronic newsletter content -- for librarians to send to patrons two to four times per year Seek out a local editorial board visit

EXHIBIT A

Fifty interviewees were contacted randomly from the public and academic/medical library directors whose libraries are enrolled in the database portion of TexShare.

Telephone Survey Results from Public Libraries – 34 total responses

1. How important is access to the TexShare databases for your library/patrons? Not at all-1 Somewhat important-9 Important-7 Very important-8 Critical-9

2. How much does your library use the TexShare databases? Not at all-4 Rarely-2 Occasionally-7 Frequently-11 All the time-9 Not applicable-1

3. What are some ways users of your library can become more aware of the TexShare electronic databases? (Indicate all that apply) Icon/link on web site-5 Library tours-2 Relationship with local schools-3 Local media-6 Signage in library (posters, flyers, bookmarks)-9 Response to requests from patrons (one-on-ones)-13

4. What can librarians (or others on the local level) do to help get the word out? (Indicate all that apply) Develop a relationship with local schools-5 One-on-ones with library users-18 Publicize in local media-3 Word of mouth-2 Promote with local groups-2 Library tours and information-8 Link to web site-3

5. What roles would you, your staff -- or others on the local level -- be willing to take to raise awareness and use of the databases? Respond to user requests-10 Notify local media-4 Educate and notify local school faculty and staff-3 Library tours and information-3 Publicize in general-5

Speak with local groups-5 EXHIBIT A

6. What resources would you need? Posters-16 Bookmarks-19 Press releases-25 Flyers-4 More internal training for staff-3 Ability to link to web site-1

7. What obstacles would you encounter in talking about the databases to library users, community or school groups, the media and others (Indicate all that apply?) None-9 Time-9 Knowledge of specific databases (need increased internal training)-18 Connection issues-1

8. How many hours a month could you/your staff realistically set aside to do this? 1-10 hours-23 10-20 hours-0 20-30 hours-1 30-40 hours-0 Over 40 hours-6 Don’t know-4

9. Would you or a staff member be willing to update us by email of your library’s promotional activities? Yes-34 No-0

Selected Comments:

The databases are one of the most wonderful things libraries have to offer. We’d hate to lose funding.

Our users are focused mainly on Internet use rather than database use.

We were able to get rid of year’s worth of back issues of periodicals. Space is a critical issue; this has been a godsend. It saves time and space and the information is credible.

We’ve lost Internet access due to a lawsuit, but we feel it’s a wonderful resource and we’ll use it again in the future.

It’s very easy to use.

I think the databases are wonderful and so helpful. We can provide information that people need.

We appreciate access to the databases so much. It’s way beyond our budget and we wouldn’t have this access without it.

EXHIBIT A

Telephone Survey Results from Academic Libraries – 16 total responses

1. How important is access to the TexShare databases for your library/patrons? Not at all-0 Somewhat important-0 Important-0 Very important-3 Critical-13

2. How much does your library use the TexShare databases? Not at all-0 Rarely-0 Occasionally-0 Frequently-6 All the time-10

3. What are some ways users of your library can become more aware of the TexShare electronic databases? Icon/link on website-7 Student orientation classes/library tours-15 Notification of faculty-15 Articles in college newspaper-2 Signage in library (posters, flyers)-3 Electronic newsletters-2

4. What can librarians (or others on the local level) do to help get the word out? Notify faculty-15 One-on-ones with library users-15 Publicize in other ways (newspaper, electronic newsletters)-3

5. What roles would you, your staff -- or others on the local level -- be willing to take to raise awareness and use of the databases? Respond to user requests-16 Notify college newspapers-3 Educate and notify faculty and staff-16 Library tours and orientation-16

6. What resources would you need? Posters-7 Bookmarks-7 Press releases-6 Flyers-2 Increased internal training for staff-4 Ability to link to web site-2

EXHIBIT A

7. What obstacles would you encounter in talking about the databases to library users, community or school groups, the media and others? None-11 Time-2 Knowledge of specific databases (need increased internal training)-2 Connection issues-1

8. How many hours a month could you/your staff realistically set aside to do this? 1-10 hours-1 10-20 hours-3 20-30 hours-2 30-40 hours-1 Over 40 hours-5 Don’t know-4

9. Would you or a staff member be willing to update us by email of your library’s promotional activities? Yes-16 No-0

Selected Comments: We wouldn’t have the quality of databases if we didn’t have TexShare, but people don’t really know they’re TexShare. They just see the end product.

Access has been an issue during the year due to maintenance.

We fear we’d be in great trouble if we lose our access. TexShare is one of the most important developments for Texas libraries, but it takes time to teach people.

There is no end to the neatness of this program. We’d be happy to do a testimonial or do a demonstration.

We need press releases before September.

One problem we’ve had is access is only on campus.

TexShare has allowed us to provide services equal to that of the largest colleges. We appreciate the databases so much.

EXHIBIT B TexShare Databases Alphabetical Listing July 2002

Academic Search Premier – Full-text database of peer-reviewed academic journals, covering nearly all areas of study: social sciences, humanities, education, computer sciences, engineering, language and linguistics, arts & literature, medical sciences, ethnic studies, etc. Full-text articles obtained from over 3,430 scholarly publications, and abstracts and indexing for nearly 3,930 scholarly journals.

Alternative Health Watch – Covers thousands of alternative health remedies such as kava root, saw palmetto, ginkgo biloba, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, homeopathy, neutraceuticals, massage therapy, and much more. The database contains over 50,000 complete articles, quarterly updates of over 4,000 articles, and thousands of embedded images. Includes full-text articles from more than 170 international peer-reviewed and professional journals, magazines, reports, proceedings, association & consumer newsletters (most from 1990 to the present), plus hundreds of pamphlets, booklets, special reports, original research and book excerpts. Searching for the information can be achieved by typing in a city, a state, a collection name, or library name.

ArchivesUSA - The ArchivesUSA® database provides records and detailed indexes about original source materials housed in over 5,400 US archival libraries, including information about materials from over 118,000 manuscript and other special collections.

Use this database to read descriptions of each library's collection and to find each library's contact information. Contains the contents of National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC), National Inventory of Documentary Sources (NIDS) and Directory of Archives and Manuscript Depositories in the United States (DAMRUS).

Biography & Genealogy Master Index - Contains biographical information on people from all time periods, geographical locations, and fields of study. Find biographies on authors, scientists, sports professionals, actors and many more. Points users to over 12 million citations compiled from more than 1500 publications where biographies can be found. Look up information on everyone from Alexander Hamilton to Emilio Zapata.

Books in print.com – Web access to the world's largest book, audiobook, and video database. Find title, author, ISBN number, subject and publisher information for over 4 million books, along with over 600,000 full-text reviews for many titles. Advanced search capabilities and features provide maximum flexibility, such as allowing librarians to search their library's catalog directly, order selected titles for their collection or place inter-library loans. Features such as the "Children's Room" allow search by age and reading level.

Business and Company Resource Center - Find dynamic and up-to-date industry and company intelligence on public and private U.S. and international companies. Displays company profiles, including parent/sibling relationships, as well as industry rankings, products and brands, histories and chronologies, news, articles and press releases from over 2000 publications. Also find consumer marketing data, emerging technology reports, current investment reports, financial ratios and much more. Find contact information for a company in your area using the geographic location search option.

Business Source Premier – This full-text database is designed to help people find information on all aspects of the business world. Full-text is offered for nearly 2,500 scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and much more. Periodicals ranging from Business Week, Forbes, Fortune and American Banker to journals such as Harvard Business Review, Journal of Management, Academy of Management Review, and many more can all be found in this database. Dun & Bradstreet's Company Directory is also included.

Also included are indicative abstracts and indexing for over 3,030 business journals, nearly 880 of which are peer reviewed. This database also includes Country Monitor and Industry Yearbook Reports from WEFA and 35 country reports from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Business Wire News – Updated daily, Business Wire News provides comprehensive full-text for 35 international newswires and 49 regional business publications. Contains the most recent 30 days of information from each of the wire sources. This database also provides abstracts and indexing for 14 additional regional business publications including A&G Information, Africa News Service, Inter Press Service, Resource News International, South American Business, M2 Communications, PR Newswire, Business Newswire, Canadian Corporate News, News Bytes, News Network and Phillips Business Information Highlights.

Computer Source: Consumer Edition – Contains information about the latest trends in high technology. Includes valuable information on such topics as computers, telecommunications, the Internet, and electronics. Features 250 full-text periodicals, with abstract and indexing for over 330 titles. Kept up to date with the latest in technology trends.

EBSCO Animals – A database with over 2,200 entries about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and dinosaurs. Ideal for elementary, junior and high school students that need information on the class, kingdom, phylum of an animal or its habits, habitat, or reproductive rituals.

EBSCOhost en español – (interfaz en español contraduccion de los articulos) Base de datos sobre muchos temas - incluye texto completo. Los articulos están traducidos por un programa de la computadora del inglés.

Electric Library (eLibrary Classic – Big Chalk) – This database provides a wealth of information from such diverse areas as books, television shows, newspapers, maps, and photograph collections. Full-text articles from popular reference books such as Frommer's travel guides, American History textbooks, the World Almanac, World Encyclopedia and various international business textbooks. Newspapers and magazines from the United States, Africa, Asia, and Europe are also included. Transcripts from such favorite television shows as 60 minutes, Good Morning America, CNN news, Fox News, and several National Public Radio Stations are also included. Researchers can type a question, phrase, or keyword using either natural language or Boolean search strategy. Relevancy, date, reading level, publication, or source type can display results.

Encyclopedia Americana – An in depth and accurate encyclopedia on all topics relating to the history, religion, technology, geography, and society of the United States of America. Geared for a student in the upper grade levels (grades 7-12). 25,000,000 words of text, 3,000 images, 830 maps, 200 flags and more than 1,000 tables and fact boxes are contained this database. Also included are links to over 30,000 web sites previously reviewed and indexed by the Grolier Internet Index.

Over 100,000 periodical articles can be accessed from directly within encyclopedia entries. In addition, 6 dictionaries and thesauri from the Houghton-Mifflin Company can be accessed, including the American Heritage™ Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Ed. with audio pronunciations.

ERIC - U.S. Department of Education: A bibliographic guide to published and unpublished sources on thousands of educational topics, with information obtained from Resources in Education and Current Index to Journals in Education. Designed for teachers, students, administrators, researchers and others interested in the field of education. Coverage is from 1966 to the present. Contains over 983,000 records from over 2,000 titles about the educational field. ERIC records now include full-text documents from the ERIC Digest.

Funk and Wagnall’s New Encyclopedia – A student, home and general reference encyclopedia containing 25,000 articles that meet the needs of elementary, middle, and high school students. Users are able to search by keyword or subject within entry.

GPO Monthly Catalog – Consists of records published by the Government Printing Office since July 1976. Coverage of all types of U.S. government documents, including congressional reports, hearings, debates, judiciary materials and much more. Includes references for documents to congressional committee hearings and debates, as well as documents from executive departments such as Defense, State, Labor, Office of the President, etc. 522,000 records covering the period 1976 to the present.

Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia – The online version of the Academic American Encyclopedia, written for ages 12 to adult. Offers 36,000 articles, an atlas containing 830 maps, a gallery of 6,000 pictures, 150 national anthems that can be heard on our computer, and a Timelines section with links to a Yearbook section that provides details of that year's events. Also included are links to over 30,000 web sites previously reviewed and indexed by the Grolier Internet Index. Over 100,000 periodical articles can be accessed from directly within encyclopedia entries. In addition, 6 dictionaries and thesauri from the Houghton-Mifflin

Company can be accessed, including the American Heritage™ Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Ed. with audio pronunciations.

Health and Wellness Resource Center – Instant access to carefully compiled and trusted medical reference resources such as Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence, Harvard Special Health Reports, and PDR Family Guide to Health and Nutrition. Key health web sites are also listed here, as well as 2,200 general interest health publications, and over 700 health and medical journals. Reliable information can be found by searching under latest news, subject, or key words. Also, includes medical reference sources for users with reading levels of 6th grade and below such as CareNotes, Body By Design, and Healthy Living.

Health Reference Center Academic – Provides an integrated collection of general interest health and fitness magazines, medical and professional periodicals, reference books and pamphlets. Also, includes a large collection of key medical journals for nursing and allied health students and professionals. Topics included in the collection include information about alcoholism, AIDS, fitness, psychology, cancer, pediatrics, and much, much more. Records are available in a combination of indexing, abstracts or full-text formats.

Health Source: Consumer Edition – Authoritative information on health related matters. The database includes searchable full-text for more than 190 popular health magazines including Better Nutrition, Consumer Reports on Health, Harvard Health Letter, Men's Health, Prevention, Women's Health Weekly and many others. Find information on remedies, nutritional guidelines, and treatments.

Search for information on health topics such as food, childcare, general health, and sports medicine. Also included are indexing and abstracts for over 200 general health journals, 20 reference books, and thousands of essays covering eight major health related subjects, and much more. USP Pharmacopoeia DI Volume II, Advice for the Patient, Stedman's Medical Dictionary, and 1,060 health-related pamphlets are also included.

Health Source: Nursing / Academic Edition – Provides more than 540 scholarly full-text journals focusing on many medical disciplines, with particular emphasis on nursing and allied health professions. Full-text is included from such journals as Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Journal of Community Health Nursing, Journal of Holistic Nursing, Nursing Forum, and many others.

Full text is also included from Clinical Nursing Research, Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, Journal of Community Health Nursing, Journal of Family Nursing, Nursing Diagnosis, Nursing Forum, Patient Care for the Nurse Practitioner, RN, Western Journal of Nursing Research and many more. Also included is searchable text for over 450 journals, indexing and abstracts for over 570 journals, and the reference volumes USP Pharmacopoeia DI: Volume II Advice for the Lay Patient, and Stedman's Medical Dictionary.

HeritageQuest Online – Provides a unique, continuously expanding collection of research materials for tracing family lineage and American culture. 25,000 family and local histories are already online, and the complete US Federal Census from 1790-1930, the American Revolutionary War Pension Applications & Bounty Land Warrant Applications, the complete Freedman's Bank Records, and ProQuest obituaries from more than 150 newspapers across

America will all be added soon. New enhanced digital images of every page and new linked indexing provide comprehensive resources for genealogists and local historians.

InfoTrac Custom Newspapers - Obtain full-text articles from newspapers in the United States and around the world. Cover-to-cover full-text coverage of over 120 newspapers including Austin-American Statesman from 1996, Dallas Morning News from 1996, Houston Chronicle from 1996, The Financial Times from 1996 and The Times (London) since 1997, and New York Times. Search articles by title, headline, date, author, section or other assigned fields.

¡Informe! (Revistas en Español) – Diseñadas específicamente para resolver las necesidades de la investigación de utilizadores de habla hispanola. Esta base de datos tiene artículos completos del texto de los compartimientos populares tales como Latina, Actual, y Siempre!. La base de datos contiene muchos artículos sobre los temas tales como ediciones culturales y de la forma de vida, salud y crianza de los niños, la hospitalidad, políticas y sucesos actuales. Las búsquedas se pueden hacer en inglés y español, con los nombres del título mostrados en ambos lenguajes.

(Specifically designed to meet the research needs of Spanish speaking users, this database has full-text articles from such popular magazines as Latina, Actual, and Siempre!, The database contains many articles on such subjects as cultural and lifestyle issues, health and parenting, entertainment, politics and current events. Searches can be made in both English and Spanish, with title names shown in both languages.)

Literature Resource Center - This all-inclusive database contains information on both classical and contemporary authors and their works. Obtain over 130,000 biographies of authors, bibliographies of all they have written, over 40,000 critical essays and more than 6000 work overviews, plot summaries, and explications. Search by the author's name, the title of the work, or even by the title of the periodical or journal that is part of the database.

MasterFILE Premier – Designed specifically for the Public Library, MasterFILE Premier offers information on a broad variety of subjects, including general interest, multi-cultural, business, and much more. Provides full-text for over 1,900 popular periodicals, including Consumer Reports and Business Week and indexing and abstracts for an additional 2,510 journals. Also included are searchable full-text for nearly 5,000 Magill's Book Reviews, 20 reference books, nearly 1,400 journals with images, the Essential Documents in American History database, and over 1.7 million company records from Dun & Bradstreet, and much more.

MAS FullTEXT Ultra : School Edition – General periodicals database that covers general reference, business, consumer health, general health, general science and multi-cultural titles. Includes over 5,000 Magill's Book Reviews; 140 Macmillan books; over 540 health and science-related pamphlets; Essential Documents in American History; and coverage of the CIA World Factbook, 88,000 biographies, 60,000 Primary Source Documents, 92,000 photos, flags, maps from Image Collection. Indexing and abstracts for the New York Times and 528 other titles. Over 490 titles have PDF and ASCII full-text cover-to-cover coverage for issues beginning as early as 1975.

MEDLINE - Offers users access to information from all journals indexed in the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE file. Gain information about such fields as medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system and pre-clinical sciences. Included are abstracts and indexing for over 4,000 current biomedical journals published in the U.S. and in 70 foreign countries, citations found in Index Medicus, the International Nursing Index and the Index to Dental Literature, additional table of contents information for 2,400 titles, provided by the British Document Supply Centre.

MEDline with MESH - Offers users access to information from all journals indexed in the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE file. Provides authoritative medical information on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, pre-clinical services, and much more.

Links to full-text of over 350 full-text journals. Included are abstracts and indexing for over 3,800 current biomedical journals published in the U.S. and 70 foreign countries, and citations found in Index Medicus, the International Nursing Index and the Index to Dental Literature. Table of contents information for 2,400 titles (provided by the British Document Supply Centre) and a Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) index is also included.

Middle Search Plus – Middle Search Plus is designed to assist middle and junior high school students in learning how to research current events. The database includes searchable full- text from over 295 of the most popular K-12 magazines, abstracts and indexing for over 150 titles includes more than 1,250 full text pamphlets, 52 reference books, 88,000 biographies and 60,000 Primary Source Documents.

Searchable full-text of the Christian Science Monitor, and tables and graphs converted to ASCII text for a better understanding of the written article. Also included are the reference books Encyclopedia of Animals, Funk and Wagnall's New Encyclopedia, the CIA World Fact Book, and Essential Documents in American History.

Military Library FullText - Military FullTEXT provides full text from over 330 military and general interest publications. This database also offers indexing and abstracts for over 370 magazines. Some titles included are Military Review, Parameters, Army Times, and Defense. Designed to bring current news to all branches of the military. This database is updated weekly on EBSCOhost.

NetLibrary E-books - More than 19,000 eBooks are available for browsing, searching, and virtual check-out. TexShare's eBook collection includes titles from the world's leading business, technology, trade, reference, academic, and scholarly publishers. Search by title, author, keyword, publisher, publication date, or ISBN number.

New book of knowledge – A full-featured encyclopedia written especially for children in grades 3 and up. Contains facts and figures, projects and experiments, literary selections, and links to hundreds of other related web sites. Five current events news stories are added weekly accompanied with a lesson plan to help integrate the New Book of Knowledge into the lesson plans of educators. Over 100,000 periodical articles can be accessed from directly within encyclopedia entries. In addition, 6 dictionaries and thesauri from the Houghton-Mifflin Company can be accessed, including the American Heritage™ Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Ed. with audio pronunciations.

Newspaper Source – Contains cover-to-cover full text coverage of the Christian Science Monitor, Los Angeles Times and USA Today. Selected full-text business and news related articles from 224 regional U.S. newspapers are provided by the Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business and News Service Contributor Newspapers. Get the latest late-breaking news from around the world with daily updates from 6 newspaper wire services, as well as coverage of 18 national and international newspaper titles and 9 newspaper columns.

Nueva Enciclopedia Cumbre en Linea - A full-length online encyclopedia designed for the Spanish-speaking peoples of the Americas, and written from a Latin-American perspective. Over 15,000 entries (updated three times a year), 300 maps, 6,500 illustrations (including photographs). Another feature is the inclusion of Concise American Heritage Spanish Dictionary.

OCLC ArticleFirst - Contains bibliographic citations that describe items listed on the table of contents pages of over 12,000 journals in science, technology, medicine, social science, business, the humanities, and popular culture. Each record describes one article, news story, letter, or other item. Searches and browses over 12.7 million articles and journals tables of contents, all in one database! Covers the time period 1990 to the present.

OCLC Electronic Collections Online - Access a collection of over 4,000 journals in a variety of subject areas, all with full-image articles available online. Articles are linked to corresponding citations in databases throughout the OCLC FirstSearch service.

OCLC Union Lists of Periodicals – Provides local library holdings information for periodicals so that users can find magazines and journals in libraries close to their area. Listings are linked to over 8 million bibliographic records in WorldCat, the OCLC online union catalog.

OCLC PapersFirst – Covers every congress, symposium, exposition, workshop, and meeting added to The British Library Document Supply Centre's (BLDSC) vast proceedings collection since October 1993. Contains over 2.5 million records covering the period 1993 to the present. The BLDSC is a document supplier for the OCLC Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service. The FirstSearch/OCLC ILL link is the best way to obtain conference papers cited in PapersFirst.

OCLC ProceedingsFirst – Provides tables of contents of papers presented at conferences worldwide. Each record contains a list of the papers presented at each conference. Contains over 80,000 records covering the period 1993 to the present. ProceedingsFirst provides access to The British Library Document Supply Centre's vast collection of conference proceedings.

Primary Search – Designed for elementary schools and children's reading rooms, this database contains World Almanac of the USA and World Almanac for Kids, searchable full- text from over 50 of the most popular K-12 magazines, abstracts and indexing for over 180 titles and pamphlets. Also included are Funk and Wagnall's New Encyclopedia, the Encyclopedia of Animals, World Almanac, and many charts, tables and graphs converted to ASCII text in order to retain the original meaning of featured articles.

Professional Development Collection – A valuable resource aimed primarily at professional educators and others interested in the field of education. Contains information on everything from child development to theories and practices of different teaching methods. The database includes full-text from 460 journals (150 with images), and abstract and index coverage for 545 well-known professional development titles.

Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection – A comprehensive full text database with 480 full-text journals covering topics in emotional and behavioral characteristics, psychiatry & psychology, mental processes, anthropology, and much more. Includes an additional 430 peer reviewed journals with PDF images.

Religion and Philosophy Collection – Nearly 250 full-text articles covering topics in world religions, major denominations, biblical studies, religious history, epistemology, political philosophy, philosophy of language, moral philosophy and the history of philosophy.

Salud Para Todos provides full text Spanish-language information for a wide variety of medical and health-related topics. Salud Para Todos is designed to make useful health information more readily accessible for Spanish-speaking consumers and patients. It includes a wealth of valuable information gained from federal and state agencies, voluntary health associations, pharmaceutical companies, and other health-related organizations. The easy-to- use interface allows the researcher to quickly find the information via keyword search and/or category searching.

Scribner writers series - Features biographies and critical essays on a wide variety of writers, often from multiple viewpoints to provide differing perspectives. The variety of writers profiled includes African-American writers, Science Fiction writers, Latin American writers, American Nature writers, and many more. One can find research ideas from searching in the following categories: literary prizes, early American writers, African-American women writers, modern American poets, modern playwrights, and others. Students, faculty, and researchers can also search by name, language, genre, time period, and gender.

Searchasaurus – Erupting volcanoes, a dinosaur guide and compass make navigation fun for elementary to middle school age users. In addition to keyword, natural language and subject searching, users may select to search by hot topics from the Searchasaurus map. Throughout the search process, the Searchasaurus dinosaur accompanies users and offers a link to a new search or, via his compass, a link back to the Searchasaurus map, making it easy for young users to navigate through their searches. From the result list, users can access complete articles from magazines, encyclopedias, books and more. Citations indicate which articles are cover stories and whether they include images.

Sociological collection – Nearly 580 full-text articles covering aspects of sociology, including human behavior, human tendencies, community development, relationships, and much more. Features more than 500 peer-reviewed journals and many PDF images.

Student Resource Center GOLD - Aimed at middle and high school students, this database offers award winning content based on national curriculum standards. Information for homework assignments, research papers and essays can be found using this database of reference materials, primary source documents, and magazines about literature, science, history and biography.

Included are more than 85,000 biographies, essays, and overviews, full-text articles from more than 1,100 magazines, more than 16,000 timeline event descriptions, articles from encyclopedias and almanacs, over 20,000 photographs, maps and graphics, 41,000 primary source documents with explanations that includes important speeches, government documents, and memoirs excerpts. Also included country, culture, era, and event overviews.

Texas Almanac - Provides information about the history, culture, politics, climate, and geography of the state of Texas. Find the official bird, tree and song of the State of Texas, as well as information about agriculture, former governors, state parks, population statistics, and much, much more.

Texas Digital Sanborn Maps – These digitized maps provide detailed property and land-use records that depicts the architecture of Texas towns and cities throughout the past one hundred years. The maps enable researchers to trace the architectural history of individual buildings or entire communities.

See everything from building outline, size and shape, construction materials, height, building use, windows and doors, street and sidewalk widths, boundaries, house numbers, and more. Symbols for stables, garages, warehouses, and other commercial sites are also included. Factories are often labeled with the owner's name, as well as the products manufactured there. Also depicted are pipelines, railroads, wells, watermains, and dumps.

TOPICsearch – Find topics to discuss and research in the TOPICsearch database. This current events database covers topics such as politics, social and economic issues, scientific discoveries and other popular topics. Includes 50,000 documents selected by the publisher's staff of teachers and librarians, including 3,000 diverse sources including selected full-text articles from public opinion polls, book reviews, pamphlets, government information and 100 U.S. newspapers. Search the database by keyword, subject, topic, or natural language.

Twayne’s Authors Series – Literary critical interpretation of over 600 authors, along with the content of 600 books taken from the series United States Authors, World Authors, and English Authors. The series also showcases the influence the authors had on literary movements and the development of literary genres. Search by name, language, genre, time period, ethnicity and gender.

Twentieth Century Poetry (American and English) – A collection of poetry written by the most important and influential American and English poets of the 20th century. 52,000 American poems drawn from 750 volumes of 20th century poetry are available, including works by such poets as Adrienne Rich, Andrei Codrescu, Ezra Pound, William Carlos Williams, Denise Levertov, Wallace Stevens, Langston Hughes, Lucille Clifton, and Cathy Song. In addition, a collection of 594 volumes of poetry by 282 English poets from 1900 to the present day is available. Works by such English poets as W. B. Yeats, Rudyard Kipling, Robert Graves, A. E. Housman, John Betjeman, Fleur Adcock, Tony Harrison, Benjamin Zephaniahand Carol Ann Duffy are included. Includes significant translations of non-English poetry.

Ulrichsweb.com – A valuable source for identifying more than 250,000 periodicals that are published on a regular or irregular basis, such as consumer and trade magazines, scholarly journals, newsletters, newspapers, monographic series, and electronic journals. Each record is highly detailed, showing a full description of the periodical, alternative media formats and language editions, sources of electronic access, publisher and ordering information, refereed status, and reviews.

Links to tables of contents, article abstracts, and full text are available for approximately 30,000 periodicals, as well as to library holdings and subscription databases. Records may be immediately downloaded to a hard drive or disk, emailed or printed, or flagged and saved to an online list for later download or distribution.

What Do I Read Next? - This database includes books that are award winners, bestsellers, or have been included in recommended reading lists. Books are separated into eight different genres: Science Fiction, Inspirational, Mystery, Romance, Fantasy, Horror, Western and historical novels, and General fiction, classic fiction, and non-fiction. More than 100,000 highly recommended titles are included. What do I read next also does searches in the young adult, multicultural, and children's fiction categories. Included are more than 550 lists.

Wilson Applied Science and Technology – A bibliographical database that covers science and technology topics, including acoustics, aeronautics, artificial intelligence, chemistry, computers, engineering, geology, plastics, textiles, and waste management. Abstracts date back to 1993, and indexing dates back to 1983. Over 485 technical and scientific journals are covered.

WorldCat (the OCLC online union catalog) –The world’s most comprehensive bibliography. Includes information on the holdings of the world’s libraries. Over 43 million records, in over 400 languages.

World Almanac – Includes the full text of all of the following Almanac titles: The World Almanac and Book of Facts, (providing key facts on a wide variety of subjects internationally); The World Almanac of the U.S.A. (essential facts about the United States-current and historical); The World Almanac of US Politics, (guidebook to federal, state, and local governments); The World Almanac for Kids, (covering information and facts of interest to middle-school children and teachers); and the World Almanac Knowledge Source (a comprehensive general encyclopedia.)

EXHIBIT C

Estimated costs avoided by local libraries due to the TexShare Database Program*

In the first year of the expanded database program (July 1, 2001 – June 30,2002):

A public library serving a population under 10,000 would have paid  $ 53,792 for the subscription databases.  $ 800,312 for subscription databases and e-books.

A public library serving a population between 10,000 and 25,000 would have paid  $ 99,234 for the subscription databases.  $ 845,754 for subscription databases and e-books.

A public library serving a population between 25,000 and 50,000 would have paid  $ 180,314 for the subscription databases.  $ 926,834 for subscription databases and e-books.

A public library serving a population between 50,000 and 100,000 would have paid  $ 286,728 for the subscription databases.  $ 1,033,248 for subscription databases and e-books.

A public library serving a population between 100,000 and 200,000 would have paid  $ 474,023 for the subscription databases.  $ 1,220,543 for subscription databases and e-books.

A public library serving a population over 200,000  $ 1,471,444 for the subscription databases.  $ 2,217,964 for subscription databases and e-books.

A community college library serving an institution with under 2,000 ftes  $ 98,137 for the subscription databases.  $ 844,657 for subscription databases and e-books.

A community college library serving an institution with between 2,000 and 10,000 ftes  $ 209,794 for the subscription databases.  $ 956,314 for subscription databases and e-books.

A community college library serving an institution with over 10,000 ftes  $ 654,072 for the subscription databases.  $ 1,400,592 for subscription databases and e-books.

EXHIBIT C

Estimated costs avoided by local libraries due to the TexShare Database Program*

A library serving a four-year institution with under 2,000 ftes  $ 137,382 for the subscription databases.  $ 883,902 for subscription databases and e-books.

A library serving a four-year institution with between 2,000 and 10,000 ftes  $ 427,434 for the subscription databases.  $ 1,173,954 for subscription databases and e-books.

A library serving a four-year institution with over 10,000 ftes  $ 1,337,306 for the subscription databases.  $ 2,083,826 for subscription databases and e-books.

State governmental agency libraries that are adjunct users of the databases  $ 226,748 for the subscription databases.  $ 973,268 for subscription databases and e-books.

---- *Pricing figures have been provided by vendors based on the average population of libraries in each size range.