2. History

Texas State Library establishes Texas State Library Connection Network (TSLCN) as a tiered referral network. When a request cannot be filled at a lower level, it is referred in the following order:

• From a small community library, serving a population of 10,000 or fewer by telephone to…
• A larger area library, serving a population of 25,000 to 100,000; if unfilled it is sent by telephone to the…
• ILC serving that area; if unfilled it is sent, by teletype (TELEX) to the…
• TSLCN headquarters; if unfilled it is referred to other Texas or out-of-state libraries.
  

Location tools are developed:

• Texas Numeric Register (TNR)
• Microfilm listing of the ten ILC library catalogs
• A union card file of additions and withdrawals to the ILC collections after publication of the latest microfilm listing.
  

TSLCN libraries become members of the Texas Information Exchange (TIE).

OCLC introduced into Texas

TSLCN is reorganized; the second tier in the system is removed, and all smaller libraries refer requests directly to the ILC for their region.

State funding for library systems and services is initiated.

Quarterly exchange of the TNR and the Louisiana Numeric Register (LNR) begun.

Bibliographic network project (later called Project Build) is begun, funding an OCLC terminal and cataloging costs, and providing access to OCLC for ILL verification and location information at all ten ILC libraries.

OCLC ILL subsystem replaces the teletype for sending and receiving requests.

The Texas State Library ceases to function as a referral node beyond the ILCs.

The TNR and union card file are closed.

A reimbursement project (later called Project Loan) is begun, reimbursing Texas libraries (other than ILC libraries) for net loans made over OCLC to other Texas libraries through a TexNet Center.

The OCLC Interlibrary Loan Micro Enhancer software is introduced.

Two TexNet Centers begin using telefacsimile for document delivery and receipt of requests from area libraries.

The Texas State Library interlibrary loan operations are transferred to the Library Development Division and it becomes a TexNet Center serving Austin area state agencies.

Two TexNet Centers begin using an electronic bulletin board for receipt of requests from their area libraries.

Telefacsimile machines are in all of the TexNet Centers.

Cataloging reimbursements to the ILC libraries under Project Loan is suspended.

TexNet Centers begin using Clio, an ILL management software tool.

Ariel, the electronic document delivery system is installed.

Public libraries are brought into the TexShare program.

El Paso Public Library is closed as a TexNet Center.

The Web interface to the OCLC Interlibrary Loan service is introduced.

FirstSearch ILL link is used by area libraries to submit requests electronically.

ILLiad is installed at five TexNet sites, Austin Public Library, Dallas Public Library, Houston Public Library, San Antonio Public Library and the Texas State Library.