Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Online Databases
FAQs for librarian professionals
1. What are the Online Databases?
The TexShare Databases are commercial database subscriptions
that are paid for by the Texas
State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) for use by participating
Texas
public libraries, Texas State governmental agency libraries,
Texas academic
libraries, and libraries of clinical medicine.
A long-term fee schedule for TexShare member libraries has been
developed. Libraries were invoiced in a TexShare Database Program
membership fee in August to help pay for databases for the period
of July 1 through June 30, based on long-term fee schedules.
We invite you to review and comment on the fee schedule. View
the Long-Term Fee
Schedule for Academic Libraries and
Long-Term Fee Schedule for Public Libraries.
TexShare enables all participating libraries to offer a broad
range of databases in order to serve the information needs of
their constituents. The following illustrates just some of what
you will find in the TexShare Databases:
- Full-text articles from popular periodicals
- Medical resources and health information
- E-books and academic reference materials
- Newspapers and magazines from around the world
- Research on public and private companies, here and abroad
- Genealogy resources
- Hundreds of popular periodicals, including Business Week,
Rolling Stone, and Smithsonian
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2. Is there a charge?
Due to budgetary issues, fees to registered TexShare member
libraries are currently being collected. These fees will help
pay for database access for the period of July, 2005, through
the end of June 2006.
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3. How does my library register and get into the
databases?
If you are a librarian for a Texas library that meets the eligibility
requirements, contact databases@tsl.state.tx.us
for information on how to register your library to participate
in the TexShare Database program.
3a. Can I provide access to library users who want to get access
from home?
Several options are available to offer remote access, such as:
- Using a Remote Patron Authentication (RPA) module to authenticate patrons into a proxy server or protected database menu page.
- Using an RPA module and your library's automation system to created scripted "success URLs" which automatically authenticate users into the databases.
- Providing users with a TexShare login and password for use
with the Library of Texas portal to the TexShare Databases at
www.libraryoftexas.org/texshare/.
All public libraries that participate in the TexShare database
program now have the option to allow remote access for their registered
patrons. However, libraries are not required to offer this service.
Send an e-mail to databases@tsl.state.tx.us
if you have any further questions.
3b. How do I track my library's usage of the databases?
There are two ways in which your library's usage statistics can
be compiled:
- If your library has static IP numbers, you may set up your
Web page or automation system in which you link directly to
the URL for each database or database vendor. An advantage of
this method is your ability to create a Web access page that
integrates TexShare resources with other resources your library
provides.
Individual library statistics cannot be compiled for
libraries that use the State
Library's generic TexShare menu page or generic
remote access page.
If you are using an access method that allows your
library's statistics to be compiled, you can retrieve those statistics
every month by going to the database vendors' statistical services
Web sites. Links to these sites are available here.
In order to get use statistics for your library, you must go directly
to the URL for each database vendor and enter a login and password
rather than using the Online Database menu screen. You must
receive your login and password for each of the vendors before
you click on the links to the individual vendors. Send an
e-mail to the TexShare Database Coordinator at databases@tsl.state.tx.us
for logins and passwords.
4. How do I keep up with changes to the service?
To keep abreast of changes to the program, check the TexShare
Web site. Another option is to subscribe to one of the TexShare
mailing lists. The mailing
lists page contains instructions on subscribing to the mailing
lists. Or send an e-mail to texshare@tsl.state.tx.us
with a request to be signed up for the mailing list.
5. How are databases selected?
The TexShare Electronic
Information Working Group (EIWG), in consultation with TexShare
member libraries, selects the suite of TexShare databases. This
stellar group of librarians includes representatives from all
types of TexShare member libraries (4-year academic, community
college, medical and public). TexShare member libraries are surveyed
regularly to establish priorities for future purchases. The EIWG
recommends databases purchases to the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission.
Libraries can participate in the database selection by:
- sending comments and recommendations to the EIWG
- sending recommendations about databases to
TexShare staff
(all comments are forwarded to the EIWG)
- filling out and sending back databases surveys
- sending comments throughout the statewide database trial period
6. How do I get help with searches on the databases?
- Use the help screens contained in the databases themselves.
Each tip guide is provided by the vendor for that particular
database. Take advantage of these helpful guides.
- Check the Library
Development training Web page for training opportunities
and continuing education workshops.
- You may contact the Library Resource Sharing staff by e-mail
or telephone
(512-463-7610)
7. How do I let my users know about
the database resources available to them?
It is important to identify the TexShare databases
in order to increase name recognition and to gather support for
continued funding. The Texas State Library provides a TexShare
page of outreach materials to help libraries spread the word
about TexShare.
8. Are K-12 students allowed to access the TexShare
Databases?
K-12 students are encouraged to access the TexShare Databases
through their public libraries and may be given a password or
other method to access them from their homes. Some of the databases
that contain scholarly and medical journals may be a little advanced
for young children, but many of the databases will have relevant
information. Also, many databases in TexShare are of great benefit
to K-12 student research and homework help, such as MasterFILE
Premier, Student Resource Center GOLD, Literature Research Center,
and many others. Our licenses with the database vendors do not
authorize K-12 library use.
Senate
Bill 483 gives the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
(TSLAC) the authority to negotiate group purchasing agreements
on behalf of K-12 public school libraries. The bill does not make
public school libraries eligible for TexShare membership. However,
this legislation is a positive first step toward accomplishing
that objective. Staff at TSLAC are scheduling meetings with stakeholder
groups in order to discuss how to implement services to K-12 libraries.
Check for updates about the implementation process at the K-12
section..
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10. How do I contact the Texas State Library?
Contact the Library Resource Sharing Division:
- By e-mail
- By telephone: (512) 463-7610
- By FAX: (512) 936-2306
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FAQs for the general public
1. What are the Online Databases?
The TexShare Databases are commercial database subscriptions
that are paid for by the Texas
State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) for use by registered
patrons of Texas
public libraries, Texas State governmental agency libraries,
Texas academic
libraries, and libraries of clinical medicine. The following
is just some of what you will find in the TexShare Databases.
- Full-text articles from popular periodicals · Medical resources
and health information
- E-books and academic reference materials
- Newspapers and magazines from around the world
- Transcripts from television news shows and National Public
Radio
- Research on public and private companies, here and abroad
- Consumer marketing data and emerging technology reports
- Genealogy resources
- Latest breaking news and daily updates from newspaper wire
services
- Hundreds of popular periodicals, including Business Week,
Rolling Stone, and Smithsonian
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2. Is there a charge?
There is no charge to patrons who use the TexShare Databases
through their participating TexShare member libraries. Funding
for the databases comes from the Texas
State Library and Archives Commisssion and the Institute
of Museum and Library Services. In addition, your local TexShare
member library pays a fee in order to provide their patrons with
access to these information resources.
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3. Who is included?
To qualify, a person must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a registered card holder from a participating TexShare
member library.
- Qualify for services at a library established by an official
Texas governmental agency.
A list of
participating participating public, academic, and clinical medicine
TexShare member libraries is available.
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4. How can I get access?
- Go onsite to an eligible Texshare member
library and view the databases there.
- Be a registered card holder at a participating TexShare member
library to obtain a login and password or other means to access
the databases remotely. Please contact a librarian at your Texas
library.
- If you work for a Texas State governmental agency that has
established a library, contact the librarian in your agency.
- If you work for the Texas Legislature, contact the Texas
Legislative Reference Library for access.
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5. May I search from my home or office?
Our databases allow you to search from your home, office or workstation.
In order to take advantage of this privilege, your library must
be registered as a TexShare database program member, AND offer
the remote access option to their patrons. Ask your reference
librarian for more information.
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6. Can I share my login with friends and family?
Our licenses allow registered users of Texas libraries to access
the TexShare Databases with a login account. Friends and family
members should contact their libraries in order to receive a login
account.
7. How do I get help with my searches?
- Ask the reference librarian at your library.
- Use the help screens contained in the databases themselves.
Each tip guide is provided by the vendor for that particular
database. Take advantage of these helpful guides.
The TexShare Databases are supported
in part by funds granted to the Texas State Library and Archives
Commission by the Institute
of Museum and Library Services, an independent
Federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining
a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their
communities.
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