Library Legislative Issues

2005 LIBRARY LEGISLATIVE OVERVIEW

TEXSHARE DATABASES LIBRARY ONLINE RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

The TexShare databases are collections of commercial Statewide database access for school libraries was electronic resources that are accessible through public eliminated in 2003. As a result, almost half of the and university libraries. Current TexShare funding is students in Texas have minimal if any access to library $6.5 million per year, which provides critical digital digital resources. We propose these measures to: 1) resources for the people of Texas. allow the TSLAC to begin working with school libraries and 2) provide the funding needed for school access. RECOMMENDED ACTION: RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: APPROPRIATE $12.05 MILLION IN 2006 AND $13.05 MILLION IN 2007 FOR TEXSHARE IN THE TEXAS STATE LIBRARY AND SUPPORT HB 661 (BRANCH). CONTACT REP. BRANCH’S ARCHIVES COMMISSION (TSLAC) BUDGET (ARTICLE I OF THE OFFICE TO ASSIST IN THE PASSAGE OF THIS LEGISLATION. IN GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL, HB 1). THE SENATE, PLEASE CONTACT SENATOR STAPLES.

TSLAC BUDGET SUPPORT AN APPROPRIATION TO A RIDER (TO BE PROPOSED) IN THE TEXAS STATE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES COMMISSION’S The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is the BUDGET (ARTICLE I, HB 1/ SB 1) TO COVER THE $4.3 MILLION center of library development in our state. TSLAC PER YEAR COST OF SCHOOL ACCESS. provides countless services for Texans and the libraries in their communities. A key program is the public library STRENGTHENING SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICES systems, which was cut last session and has been further reduced in this year’s draft budget. No state mechanism exists to ensure that kids benefit from adequate school library programs. HB 463 specifies RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: that the quality of a district’s school library programs and the presence of a campus librarian are factors that must RESTORE THE 5% CUT MADE TO THE TSLAC BUDGET AND be considered in the evaluation of school districts. FUND THE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS REQUESTS ( ARTICLE I OF THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL, HB 1/ SB 1). RECOMMENDED ACTION: SUPPORT HB 463 (DUTTON). CONTACT REP. DUTTON’S LOAN STAR LIBRARIES OFFICE TO ASSIST IN THE PASSAGE OF THIS LEGISLATION.

Loan Star Libraries, a direct aid program for public TELECOM. DISCOUNTS & TECHNOLOGY libraries, currently makes $2.65 million available each year to strengthen libraries statewide. The Public Utilities Regulatory Act of 1995 offered According to the National Center for Education telecommunications companies options for deregulation. Statistics, Texas spends only about 9 cents per This effort included the creation of telecommunications person for public library support. With an increase in discounts and technology funding (through the funding, communities statewide can enjoy longer Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund assessment) hours and improved services for everyone. for libraries, schools, and institutions of higher education.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: RECOMMENDED ACTION:

APPROPRIATE FUNDING $7.65 MILLION IN 2006 AND $8.65 CONTACT REP. KING’S OFFICE TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION MILLION IN 2007 FOR LOAN STAR LIBRARIES IN THE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS DISCOUNTS AND TECHNOLOGY TSLAC BUDGET (ARTICLE I OF THE GENERAL FUNDING FOR LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS IN HB 789. IN THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL, HB 1). SENATE, CONTACT SENATOR FRASER.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT GLORIA MERAZ 3355 BEE CAVE ROAD, STE.401, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746, (512) 328-1518, [email protected] , WWW.TXLA.ORG

TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

2/10/05 2005 LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

2/10/05