• Main
• Introduction
• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7
• Chapter 8
• Chapter 9
• Chapter 10
• App. A
• App. B
• App. C
• App. D

TEXAS LIBRARY SYSTEMS

The ten Texas Library Systems are a collaborative network committed to strengthening Texas public libraries and funded by state and federal dollars through grants from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC).

The ten systems were created when the Texas legislature passed the Texas Library Systems Act in 1969, which included an appropriation for $25,000. Libraries can join the Texas Library Systems by meeting the specific criteria outlined in the Rules for Administering the Texas Library Systems Act, available from the TSLAC.

The Texas Library Systems network consists of ten regional systems that serve local needs of the member libraries. Systems offer regional cooperative purchasing to extend the buying power of public libraries to obtain library materials; provide expertise, direction, and information to local librarians; educate regional library staff on library issues and update their skills through continuing education and consulting programs; and help local libraries incorporate electronic resources into library services for the benefit of the public.

10.1 INTERLIBRARY LOAN CENTERS

The TexNet interlibrary loan network is a part of the Library Resource Sharing Division of the State Library. Ten regional referral centers provide interlibrary loan and reference referral services for public, academic, and special libraries in Texas.

The service is based on the premise that lending among libraries should be encouraged; however, interlibrary borrowing should not be used as a substitute for the development of a collection which meets the needs of the library's service area or client group. Existence of this service enables libraries to provide additional materials and enhance their collections. Local libraries make loan requests by contacting the Interlibrary Loan Center at the Major Urban Resource Center (MURL) in a library's area. If that library cannot fill the request, a search is made of other collections in the state and nation.

Libraries without OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) access initiate borrowing requests by sending them to the Interlibrary Loan Center (ILC) for their service area. All of the ILCs have full access to OCLC. If the ILC cannot fill the request from their collection, they use the OCLC database to request it from a library that does own the material. Through membership in the Texas Group some local libraries place their requests directly on OCLC.

Cost of the service is underwritten by federal funds. There are no charges to libraries for using the service; however, requesting libraries are responsible for return postage and any photocopying or charges levied by lending libraries. Local libraries are notified in advance if a lending library charges a fee, so they may elect not to receive the material. Local libraries may pass lending library fees and postage costs to their patrons; they may not, however, charge their patrons a fee for using the interlibrary loan service.

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