Strategic Planning for Resource Sharing in Texas

On February 29 and March 1, 2000, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) convened a group of resource sharing stakeholders to engage in a strategic planning process to explore the future of TexShare and to plan for expanded resource sharing among libraries in Texas. Stakeholders included librarians from public libraries and public and private academic libraries, TexShare Advisory Board members, representatives of the six TexShare Working Groups, a representative of the Texas Education Agency, a Texas State Library and Archives Commission member, and TSLAC staff. (See Appendix A.)

The purpose of the conference was:

To create a shared vision for library resource sharing in Texas that looks beyond needs of a specific institution, type of institution, or current TexShare services;
To think creatively about the future of resource sharing and develop specific recommendations for direction;
To reaffirm a shared commitment to multitype library resource sharing.

The desired outcomes of the meeting were that by the end of the two-day meeting participants would have:

Created a draft vision statement for resource sharing in Texas that includes current TexShare services and extends them;
Provided input to the TexShare Advisory Board for a potential mission statement;
Developed a prioritized list of resource sharing activities to pursue

through cooperative activities
through legislative appropriations requests
through supplemental grant requests.

The role of the participants in the meeting was:

To provide input and make recommendations to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the TexShare Advisory Board about a vision, mission, and services that can be included as the State Library crafts a strategic plan and develops budget requests;
To generate support for multitype library resource sharing activities.

Consultant Nancy M. Bolt facilitated the process. Bolt prepared the agenda, interviewed four participants in advance of the conference, and led the group through development of a draft vision and mission. Bolt also led the group through a process to prioritize actions in support of the vision and to discuss ways to implement the top priorities. A full description of the agenda can be found in Appendix A.

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SIGNIFICANT OUTCOMES AND ANALYSIS

VISION

The group began the visioning process by brainstorming responses to a scenario presented by facilitator Bolt.

It has been eight years since the TexShare Strategic Planning Session was held. You are writing an article for the press about the accomplishments that have happened in Texas as a result of different types of libraries working together to meet library and user needs. List the highlights of your newspaper article. Keep in mind the many publics that are being served by the public, academic, school, and special libraries. In the last eight years, TexShare and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission working together have accomplished the following:

After brainstorming as individuals, the participants shared their visions with the group and Bolt posted these on flip chart paper. The vision statements fell into two categories: elements of a vision statement and concrete actions. The participants were divided into three groups and given the list of the "elements of a vision statement." The "concrete actions" were set aside for further discussion on the next day.

Two of the groups developed one vision statement each. The third group approached the task differently, with each member writing a vision statement. This resulted in the four additional vision statements for consideration. Each group presented its vision statements to the entire group. Following these presentations, the full group identified common elements among the vision statements and issues raised by the vision statements. (See Appendix E for the draft vision statements from all three groups.)

The common elements of the vision statements were:

desire to serve all Texans regardless of age, education, geography; a safety net for the disadvantaged;
empower Texans to achieve educational, economic, cultural goals;
serve Texans with pride;
a partnership/consortium of libraries;
help people access, obtain, use information resources;
a continuum of service;
seamless service;
efficiently and cost effectively deliver information; cost management.

Each group selected one person who would work to develop a common vision statement. It is presented below with the common elements indicated in italics.

All Texans will be served by a partnership of libraries that empowers them to access and use information confidently and effectively. This partnership will:

offer a continuum of library and information services to persons regardless of geographical location, age, education, or financial status;
realize the benefits of cost management and efficiency, even as services are expanded;
provide seamless access to the state, national, and worldwide resources.

This library partnership will enable Texans to realize their economic, educational, and personal goals.

Discussion of the vision raised the following issues:

Is this a vision for TexShare or for a broader, more expansive view of resource sharing among libraries of all types? The instructions for the visioning mentioned TexShare but also implied service beyond what TexShare now offers. One member of the group raised the legislative mandate for TexShare and asked if the vision went beyond what TexShare was authorized to be by law. There continued to be concern about adding school and special libraries to TexShare, particularly at this point in time. Several participants mentioned that they would be open to involving school and special libraries in the future, particularly if the integration of public libraries goes well. There was no unanimity on this point.
TexShare will need a full marketing campaign to reach libraries and library users in order to inform Texas libraries and residents about the services available to them.
The vision statement can be a vehicle for bringing resource sharing activities and separate funding streams together for support.
The vision statement can be a vehicle to begin discussions with school and special libraries about resource sharing activities. To truly fulfill the vision statement it would be necessary to include school and special libraries. All of the library community needs to come together.
The library community is broader than TexShare. Would the name "TexShare" need to be changed if more libraries were added? The name remained the same when public libraries were added. Would it confuse legislators if the name were changed? How much can be included under the current TexShare name? The visioning can be a first step for something bigger than TexShare. Should it retain the TexShare name or be called something else?
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is currently revising its long-range plan. This vision statement can be used in that process.
How many legislative packages can go to the legislature? There currently are: TexShare, Public library state aid, School library funding (separate agency)
It is necessary to decide on major actions that need to be taken regardless of how they are funded or implemented.

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MISSION STATEMENT

The group also developed drafts of a mission statement, specifically for TexShare. They were providing this as input to the TexShare Advisory Board. Facilitator Bolt presented a model for developing a mission statement that included determining:

who was to be served;
what services were to be provided;
why were the services provided.

Using this model, the following mission statements were developed:

Group #1

TexShare is a partnership of libraries delivering quality services and the information to empower Texans to achieve their diverse economic, educational, and personal goals.

Group #2

TexShare, a partnership of public and academic libraries, seeks to serve all Texans.

TexShare:

leads in promoting a dynamic environment that encourages libraries to cooperate;
provides opportunities to access resources in a cost effective manner;
facilitates innovation in library programs.

TexShare strives to enhance the ability of participating libraries to fulfill their missions (for Texans).

Group #3

TexShare is a partnership/consortium of Texas academic and public libraries that empowers its members to expand and enhance library services to enrich the economic, educational, and cultural lives of Texans.

The group identified common elements of the mission statements:

a partnership (of all libraries OR of public and academic libraries) ;
services and information to empower Texans;
serve diverse economic, educational, personal, and cultural needs of Texans;
leads in encouraging cooperation;
improves access to resources;
helps libraries fulfill unique needs of clients (Texans).

Two issues were raised in discussing the mission statements:

Should the mission statement refer to what TexShare is now (a consortium of public and academic libraries) or what it might become (involving all types of libraries)?
Is TexShare an entity that serves libraries or a partnership of libraries that serves its users? Does TexShare ever serve Texas residents directly, such as through access to databases?

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PRIORITIES FOR ACTION

On the second day, the group turned its attention to priorities for action. Participants began the discussion with the list they had created the day before while visioning and expanded on it. They were asked to:

select ideas/priorities/activities to be pursued in the near future (3-5 years);
include TexShare services but also go beyond what TexShare currently offers or might offer in the future;
look at other services offered by the State Library.

The group discussed concrete actions that could implement the vision. At the conclusion of the discussion, they "voted" for their top priorities by distributing eight dots among the ideas discussed with no idea receiving more than one dot per person.

Below is the list of action items, in descending order, based on the number of dots each received:

29 Marketing plan on TexShare for libraries and library users

28 Anytime, anywhere library, combining all products with an interface that provides access to databases, catalogs, government information; seamless access.

27 Robust technical infrastructure and support for libraries

21 More databases than Galileo (Georgia network)

21 Digitization; the Texas Digital Library

21 Alternative funding sources, such as TIF grants

21 Trainers in Texas to do regional, ongoing training such as Ovid, DB, Ariel, FirstSearch

18 Cooperative reference in libraries, online reference 24/7/365

17 Pursue involvement of school, special, and government libraries in resource sharing activities (include public and private schools and special)

14 Statewide contract for electronic journals

12 Compensation for net lending

11 Cost savings achieved through centralized negotiated contracts such as for cataloging, contracts, and management

11 Distance learning for librarians and the public

10 Delivery of information and materials through courier, fax, Ariel, electronic, etc.

10 Online instruction for librarians (information literacy)

10 Begin discussion to include school libraries

8 Integrated ILL in anytime/anywhere network, either mediated or unmediated

7 Distance communication, teleconferencing

6 Cooperative collection development

4 Statewide union catalog

4 Training in HTML

4 Preservation, preserving original documents

4 Automation with OPAC for every library 3 Information literacy for students

3 Last copy collection somewhere

2 Warehouse of popular items for lending

2 Multi-state partnerships to support information needs

2 Funds to pay for professional certification and incentives for librarians in rural and underserved areas

2 Appropriate relevant network content

2 Increased funding for staff 1 Cooperative cataloging

1 Cooperative purchasing

0 Sharing resources in libraries

0 Copyright resolution assistance

0 Recruitment to the profession

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ACTION PLANS

The conference participants were asked to develop preliminary action plans for the top nine priority activities chosen. For each of the activities the group discussed:

timing;
lead agency;
other groups to be included;
issues to be considered in implementation.

1.	Marketing plan for TexShare to libraries and library users
Timing	Urgent, ongoing
Lead	TexShare Advisory Board Staff at TSLAC
Involve	Staff at local libraries TLA Regional library systems
Issues	Expand number of public libraries who participate Need to tell libraries and public about TexShare Prepare for legislative session Marketing the products of TexShare, not TexShare itself, to public; need to focus on results Listen to libraries and customers and other stakeholders about improvement

2.	Anytime, anywhere library, combining all products with an interface that provides access to databases, catalogs, government information, seamless access
Timing	Ongoing development. Start on it now. Get best products up and connected. Make it visible to the public. Should be 2 years to the interface (one librarian thought it was 20 years out)
Lead	TSLAC (may take a big grant)
Involve	Amigos UT Austin TexShare Advisory Board TIF Z39.50 group
Issues	Can use Z39.50 protocol Needs to be carefully defined Currently no funding to connect it A lot available already that just needs to be connected No interface in place now Issue of showing as accessible what is not accessible because of a conflict Can do a personalized web page

3.	Robust technical infrastructure and support for libraries
Timing	Within a year
Lead	TSLAC, regional library systems
Involve	Local libraries All regions
Issues	None identified

4.	More Databases than Galileo
Timing	ASAP, next legislative session
Lead	TexShare Electronic Information Working Group TSLAC Work with TLA to ask legislature for funding
Involve	TIF Amigos UT-Austin
Issues	Who will train in how to use new databases? Hardware needs

5.	Digitization; Texas Digital Library
Timing	Ongoing
Lead	TSLAC should coordinate Libraries who want funding
Include	Texas Treasures Texas Archival Resources Online (UT-Austin; TIF funded) Texas Collections Working Group TRAIL, Electronic government information
Issues	Public libraries may not find digitized resources useful Expand Texas Treasures grant program Bring together who is already doing this Develop a clearinghouse of what’s already available

6.	Alternative funding sources
Timing	ASAP
Lead	TSLAC TexShare Advisory Board
Involved	TLA TIF Foundations Federal Grants $ Corporations
Issues	Who writes grants? Takes time and energy Who is eligible to receive funding for what? Need to coordinate so not competing against other library entities Need to develop a strategy, determine what is possible Need timeline and guidance

7.	Regional Training to support TexShare Products and Services
Timing	Now and ongoing
Lead	TexShare Advisory Board TexShare Education Working Group
Include	Amigos Regional library systems TSLAC Local librarians who are doing training
Issues	Only TexShare or broader regional training? Onsite or online or both? Survey of need is now being conducted Give working groups additional strengths and guidance if given more authority to take on new products Participants in TexShare should contribute trainers time and costs and facilities for training

8.	Cooperative Reference
Timing	Need to develop, probably can be done within 3 years
Lead	TSLAC or TexShare Advisory Board
Involve	Reference librarians TLA Reference Round Table Liaison with other states
Issues	Who participates, TexShare or broader Pilot with TexShare members Florida Center for Distance Learners could be model Digital Reference Pilot underway at UT Austin

9.	Pursue involvement of school, special, government,. libraries in resource sharing activities
Timing	Need to begin discussions
Lead	TSLAC should coordinate
Involve	TEA SLA Medical librarians TLA
Issues	Concerned about growing too fast, just now adding public libraries Need to define scope What’s going on already needs to be considered Different types of libraries have a different mission Need time to involve and assimilate into program

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IMPLEMENTATION ROLES

The final task of the group was to identify specific roles and commitments each of the groups represented would perform following the conference.

All groups agreed to:

Share the report when it comes out;
Gather reactions and input and send to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the TexShare Advisory Board.

Other specific roles include:

TSLAC	Take lead in coordinating vision implementation Begin to gather data and information on programs Mount publication on vision and future plans on the Web Finalize the vision with help from participants Complete action plans for all action items
TexShare Advisory Board	Discuss and finalize mission Deal with issue of who mission is for: current members (public and academic) or a potentially larger group (other types of libraries) Refine marketing plan Give clear direction to working groups in priority areas Consider a new working group on shared reference
TLA	Provide a report at TLA Support efforts where possible
Regional Public Library Systems	Share report with system members Market TexShare plans to legislature and public libraries Provide robust technical support Train in databases Participate in regional training effort
TexShare Working Groups	Buy all the databases there is money for Participate in marketing effort Bring ILL ideas to TexShare Advisory Board
AMIGOS	Report to Board Coordinate where appropriate Continue to be a strong partner
TEA	Report to TEA Make state vision part of school library vision Meet regularly with TSLAC staff Share information with school librarians
UT Austin	Be a strong supporter
Participating Libraries	Participate through regional library systems, web pages, academic library groups

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: PROCESS

Consultant Nancy M. Bolt was hired to facilitate the process. Bolt worked with the TSLAC staff to develop the agenda for the two-day conference. Bolt also interviewed four librarians who would be attending the conference. She asked all four the following questions:

what outcome they wanted from the meeting,

if they were comfortable looking at resource sharing beyond TexShare,

what one goal they had for resource sharing in the state,

if there were any major issues that would come up or that needed to be addressed.

In general, the four people expressed hope that a vision could be created and concrete direction provided for TexShare and resource sharing. No one objected to looking beyond TexShare during the conference. Their personal goals were a virtual library, additional group databases, and bringing public and academic libraries together in TexShare. Major issues that they thought might be raised included:

the possible difficulty of incorporating public libraries into TexShare;
fear both public and academic libraries might feel that they would "lose" something in the implementation of the new TexShare;
the major issue might be different needs of large and small libraries rather than rural/urban or public/academic.

Participants were invited to come to Austin for two days. Director and Librarian Peggy Rudd began the meeting by expressing her personal commitment to resource sharing and her excitement about the planning process that would begin that day. Facilitator Bolt went over the agenda (see Appendix B), the purpose and outcomes, the role of the conference participants, and suggested groundrules for the conference (see Appendix C).

Bolt suggested the group introduce themselves by telling the group about the first library each person had worked in and by naming at least one mentor for their career. Members of the group first shared their stories with one or two others and then, more briefly, with the entire group. The personal histories brought a commonality to the group and many reported their mentor was the person who strongly encouraged them to become a librarian.

On the first day, the group first brainstormed a vision for resource sharing in Texas. Comments during this session could be divided into visionary statements and concrete suggestions. The concrete suggestions were listed and discussion postponed until Day Two. The participants divided into three groups to develop a vision statement. An effort was made to include in each group representatives from each type of library, TexShare Board members, citizen members, and State Library staff. The groups presented their vision statements to the whole group (one group developed multiple statements) and selected a representative who would meet that evening to draft one vision statement that brings together the elements of all of the vision statements.

On Day One, the group also developed a mission statement. Facilitator Bolt presented a format for developing a mission statement. The participants returned to their groups and developed a mission statement that was shared with the group. During the evening, the small group developed a common vision statement to be presented to the whole group the next morning.

On Day Two, the group first reviewed the common vision statement. While not finalized, the group generally gave its support to the combined vision statement. The group next reviewed the concrete suggestions for future discussion that had emerged from the previous day’s visioning. They added additional ideas to this list. Each participant was given eight dots and asked to place them on the activities that they most wanted to pursue.

The group discussed the activities receiving the most dots. For each priority activity, the group suggested action steps for accomplishing that particular initiative. The last activity of the conference was to discuss the group members’ roles in accomplishing the initiatives.

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APPENDIX B: INVITED PARTICIPANTS

Texas State Library and Archives Commission:

Patrick Heath, Vice-Chairman

Mayor, City of Boerne
Box 1677
Boerne TX 78006

830-249-9511 (w)
830-249-3215 (h)
830-249-9264 FAX

TexShare Advisory Board:

Robert Seal, Chair

University Librarian
Texas Christian University
Box 298400
Fort Worth TX 76129
817-257-7114
817-257-7282 Fax
r.seal@tcu.edu

Eva D. Poole, Vice-Chair

Director, Denton Public Library
502 Oakland Street
Denton TX 76201-3102
940-349-7735
940-349-8260 Fax
edpoole@cityofdenton.com

Marty Adamson

Director of Libraries
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Boulevard
Dallas TX 75390-9049
214-648-2626
214-648-2826 Fax
marty.adamson@email.swmed.edu

Paul E. Dumont

Director, Educational Resources
Dallas County Community
Support Services College District
District Service Center
4343 North Highway 67
Mesquite TX 75150-2095
972-860-7786
972-682-7068 Fax
pdumont@dcccd.edu

Rhoda L. Goldberg

Assistant County Librarian
Harris County Public Library
8080 El Rio Street
Houston TX 77054-4195
713-749-9011
713-749-9090 Fax
rgoldber@stic.lib.tx.us

Marsha Harper

University Librarian
Abilene Christian University
ACU Station Box 8177
Abilene TX 79699-9208
915-674-2339
915-674-2202 Fax
marshah@alcon.acu.edu

George Huffman

Director Emeritus,
Learning Resources Amarillo College
Terrace Drive
Amarillo TX 79109-5524
806-352-4736 4001
mailto:gehuffma@ipgate.actx.edu

J. Grant Jones

Box 5138
Abilene TX 79608
915-673-6838
915-673-4122 Fax

Joe McCord

Director, Neumann Library
University of Houston at Clear Lake
Bay Area Boulevard
Houston, TX 77058-5527
281-283-3930 2700
281-283-3907 Fax
mailto:mccord@cl4.cl.uh.edu

Gilda B. Ortego

Library Director, Jernigan Library
Texas A & M University at Kingsville
Campus Box 197
Kingsville TX 78363
361-593-3416
361-593-4093 Fax
kfgbo00@tamuk.edu

Darryl Tocker

Executive Director Tocker Foundation
3814 Medical Parkway
Austin TX 78756
512-452-1044
512-452-7690 Fax
grants@tocker.org

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TexShare Working Group Chairs:

Courier Working Group

April Bennington, Chair

Public Services Librarian
The University of Texas
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Research Medical Library
1515 Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77030
713-792-2282
713-797-6513 Fax
abenning@mdanderson.org

Education Working Group

Alice Specht, Chair

Library Director Hardin-Simmons University
Box 16195
Abilene TX 79698-6195
915-670-1229
915-677-8351 Fax
AliceS@alcon.alc.org

Electronic Information Working Group

Tommie Wingfield, Chair

Reference & Information Services Manager
UTA Library
Box 19497
Arlington TX 76019-0497
817-272-3000, Extension 2658
817-272-3392 Fax
wingfield@uta.edu

Interlibrary Loan Working Group

Nancy Paine, Chair

Interlibrary Services Librarian General Libraries
University of Texas at Austin
Fax Box P
Austin, TX 78713 8916
512-495-4133
512-495-4284
nancypaine@mail.utexas.edu

Texas Collections Group

Ellen Safley, Chair

Assistant Director for Reference Services
University of Texas at Dallas and Collection Management
Box 830643
Richardson TX 75083-0688
972-883-2916
972-883-2473 Fax
safley@utdallas.edu

TexShare Working Group Liaisons:

Card Working Group

Jay Clark, Liaison

Library Director San Jacinto Community College,
Central Campus
8060 Spencer Highway
Pasadena TX 77505-5390
281-476-1850
281-478-2734 Fax
jclark@central.sjcd.cc.tx.us

Courier Working Group

Jo Anne Hawkins, Liaison

Associate Director for Public Services The General Libraries
University of Texas at Austin
Fax Box P
512-495-4350
512-495-4347
http://www.texshare.edu/memberinfo/advisoryboard/j.hawkins@mail.utexas.edu

Interlibrary Loan Working Group

Sara Lowman, Liaison

Assistant University Librarian for Public Services
Fondren Library
Rice University MS 44
6100 Main Street
Houston TX 77005-1892
713-527-8101, Extension 2457
713-285-5258 Fax
lowman@is.rice.edu

Texas Collections Group

Kathy Hoffman, Liaison

Executive Director Research Medical Library
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe
Houston TX 77030
713-792-2293
713-797-6513 Fax
khoffman@utmdacc.uth.tmc.edu

Public Library Representatives:

Toni Lambert

Houston Public Library
Chief, Automated Services
500 McKinney Street
Houston TX 77002-2534
713-247-2700
713-247-1266 Fax
tlambert@hpl.lib.tx.us

Nancy Smith

Director Irving Public Library
801 W. Irving Boulevard
Irving TX 75015
972-721-2639
972-721-2463 Fax

http://www.texshare.edu/memberinfo/advisoryboard/nsmith@irving.lib.tx.us

Rebecca C. Walls

Director Deaf Smith County Library
211 E. 4^th Street
Hereford TX 79045-5521
806-364-1206
806-363-7063 Fax
http://www.texshare.edu/memberinfo/advisoryboard/Dsh_becky@hlc.actx.edu

Regional Library Systems Representative:

Dale G. Fleeger

Coordinator Northeast Texas Library System
625 Austin Street
Garland TX 75040-6365
972-205-2568
972-205-2767 Fax
http://www.texshare.edu/memberinfo/advisoryboard/dfleeger@netls.org

Texas Education Agency Representative:

Gloria McClanahan

Director, Library Services
Texas Education Agency
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin TX 78701-1494
512-475-3255
512-463-6197
http://www.texshare.edu/memberinfo/advisoryboard/gmcclana@tea.tetn.net

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Representative:

David Gill

Program Director
Texas Higher Education
Office of Planning and Coordinating Board
7745 Chevy Chase Drive
Austin TX 78752
512-483-6149 Fax
gilldd@thecb.state.tx.us

Texas Library Association :

Gleniece Robinson, TLA President

Director Fort Worth Public Library
500 Third Street
Fort Worth TX 76102
817-871-7705
817-871-7734 Fax
robinsg@ci.fort-worth.tx.us

TexShare Strategic Partner: Amigos Library Services:

Bonnie Juergens

Executive Director Amigos Library Services
14400 Midway Road
Dallas TX 75244-3509
972-851-8000
972-991-6061 Fax
juergens@amigos.org

TexShare Strategic Partner: University of Texas at Austin:

Sue Phillips

Associate Director for Technical and Network Services
The General Libraries
University of Texas at Austin
Box P
Austin TX 78713-8916
512-495-4350
512-495-4347 Fax
s.phillips@mail.utexas.edu

Mark McFarland

Head, Digital Libraries Services Division
The General Libraries
University of Texas at Austin
Box P
Austin TX 78713-8916
512-495-4358
512-495-4657 Fax
mailto:s.phillips@mail.utexas.edu

Texas State Library and Archives Commission Staff:

Peggy D. Rudd

Director and Librarian Texas State Library
Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
512-463-5460
512-463-5436 Fax
prudd@tsl.state.tx.us

Ed Seidenberg

Assistant State Librarian Texas State Library
Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
512-463-5460
512-463-5436 Fax
edw@tsl.state.tx.us

Jeanette Larson

Director, Library Development
Texas State Library
Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
512-463-5456
512-463-8800
jlarson@tsl.state.tx.us

Patty Davis

Library Systems Administrator
Texas State Library
Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
512-463-5527
512-463-8800 Fax
patty.davis@tsl.state.tx.us

Christine Peterson

Manager, Continuing Education-Consulting
Texas State Library
Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
512-463-6627
512-463-8800 Fax
chris.peterson@tsl.state.tx.us

Erica Lester

Executive Secretary
Texas State Library
Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
512-463-5460
512-463-5436 Fax
erica.lester@tsl.state.tx.us

Rebecca Linton

Network Consultant
Texas State Library
Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
512-463-5406
512-236-9306 Fax
rebecca.linton@tsl.state.tx.us

Deborah Littrell

TexShare Coordinator
Texas State Library
Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
512-463-0188
512-236-9306 Fax
deborah.littrell@tsl.state.tx.us

Michael Piper

Director, Library Resource Sharing
Texas State Library
Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
512-463-7402
512-236-9306 Fax
michael.piper@tsl.state.tx.us

Beverley Shirley

Networked Information Coordinator
Texas State Library
Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
512-463-5433
512-236-9306 Fax
bshirley@tsl.state.tx.us

TIF (Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund) Library Advisory Board:

Eileen Shocket, Chair

Library Director
Saint Edward's University
3001 South Congress
Austin TX 78704
512-448-8470
512-448-8737 Fax
eileena@libr.stedwards.edu

Meeting Facilitator:

Nancy M. Bolt

Colorado State Librarian
Colorado State Library
201 East Colfax
Denver CO 80203
303-866-6733
303-866-6940 Fax
mailto:nbolt@csn.net

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APPENDIX C

AGENDA

February 29, 2000

10:00 am Welcome Peggy Rudd

Introduction to the session, why having it, her personal goals

10:15 am Introduction to meeting Nancy Bolt. Facilitator’s background and role, desired outcomes, groundrules, review of agenda

10:30 am Introduction of participants

11:00 am Developing a vision, brief definition, examples, of a vision Individual, then group work on vision

11:15 am Break

11:45 am Share ideas with the whole group, combine like ideas. Vote using dots as to what part of the vision is most important.

12:30 pm Lunch

1:30 pm Discuss top vote getters. What issues impact their implementation.

2:00 pm Break into three small groups to work on crafting a vision.

3:00 pm Return to share visions.

Identify common elements.

Identify who will work to finalize vision

3:30 pm Break

3:45 pm Definition of mission, break into small groups to work on a mission

4:30 pm Return and share mission

Identify common elements

Identify who will work to finalize vision

5:00 pm Plus/delta for the day, adjourn for the day

5:30 pm Reception

Evening Dinner on your own

March 1, 2000

8:00 am Continental Breakfast

8:30 am Introduction to the day

Review of agenda

8:45 am What is necessary to implement the vision?

What should be addressed first?

Open facilitated discussion

What needs to be done?

Who needs to be involved?

What are issues that will be faced?

Problems to be overcome?

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Continue the discussion

Noon Lunch

1:00 pm Role of participants in bringing about the vision

Who should be contacted?

Who will make the contact?

Message to be delivered

Next steps.

Assignments

2:00 pm Review of workshop

Plus /delta

2:15 pm Adjourn

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APPENDIX D: GROUND RULES

Everyone participates
Disagree with grace and tact
All ideas on the table
No silent disagreement
Take care of yourself
Tangential items in the bin
No side conversations

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APPENDIX E: RESULTS OF VISIONING

The group began the visioning process by brainstorming responses to a scenario presented by facilitator Bolt.

After brainstorming as individuals, the participants shared their visions with the whole group and Facilitator Bolt posted these on flip chart paper. The visioning statements fell into two categories: elements of a vision statement and concrete actions. The participants were divided into three groups and given the list of the "elements of a vision statement." The "concrete actions" were set aside for further discussion on the next day.

Full brainstorming list

Network of instantaneous information access regardless of geography or size;
Citizens think of libraries as unlimited sources of information instead of types of populations;
All citizens support need to provide resources;
Strong framework to share human expertise, operating libraries;
Cooperative reference among libraries;
All libraries are seen as partners;
Legislative funding skyrockets;
Customers of one library are customers of all libraries;
All libraries are consolidated into "The Texas Library;"
All types of libraries manage costs while expanding services;
Share library resources have become an object of state pride;
TexShare has reputation of premier information resources;
Expanded information literacy through libraries;
TexShare grants support professional certification and incentives to libraries in rural and underserved areas;
Premier service organized for state and funded appropriately;
Information juggernaut based on libraries used by 90% of the population;
Library users value library service as much or more than librarians;
Every community with a football field has a library;
TexShare surpasses Georgia’s Galileo in number of databases available;
Texas influences database vendor behavior;
Technical infrastructure supports all constituent groups and individuals who try to dial-in;
Bridge to information for Texans;
Integrated continuum of library services from cradle to grave;
Libraries are recognized as key to economic development;
Significant resources for digitization;
Rational framework for distance learners from all educational institutions;
Recognized as key to statewide economic development;
Raised level of expertise through affordable, timely training;
New ways to cooperate via preservation;
High quality information resources of different formats and complexity to meet people’s needs, enough of the right resources;
Delivered to whatever site customer wants – with minimal intervention, seamless intervention;
Cooperative purchasing – (saves $) information resources or anything else that libraries share with each other and can save money on;
Effective cooperative collection development for non-digitized materials;
Dissolve territorial boundaries between different types of libraries while recognizing libraries have unique missions;
TexShare leads the way in copyright resolution, rights to share information;
Texas digital library, digitizing Texas resources;
TexShare is the information safety net for the disadvantaged;
Foundations and corporations support libraries;
Vendors develop new technologies for libraries;
Bright, young people enter the profession;
On-line reference available 24/7;
TexShare working groups incorporate more staff because distance and isolation are not a problem;
Statewide union catalog;
Online instruction distributed through Web site, information literacy on tap;
TexShare takes leadership in bridging the digital divide;
Every library has appropriate automated system and OPAC;
TexShare librarian elected Governor;
Texas leads the nation in informed citizens;
Texas libraries #1 rather than #49;
Libraries part of business, government, and educational projects;
TexShare explores ways to include school libraries (they are intended to be included where the words "all libraries" are used) ;
Resource sharing listed here is the minimum eight years from now;
Cost savings in managing libraries through negotiated contracts and groups where appropriate;
TexShare library card in all Texas libraries.

Elements of a Vision Statement

Network of instantaneous information access regardless of geography or size;
Citizens think of libraries as unlimited sources of information instead of types of populations;
All types of libraries seen as partners;
Increased funding;
All libraries are "The Texas Library;"
Expand services while containing costs;
TexShare an object of state pride—reputation of premier information resources – transcends state borders;
90% of population use libraries;
Library users value library service as much or more than librarians;
Every community with a football field has a library;
Texas influences database vendor behavior;
Bridge to information for Texans;
Integrated continuum of library services form cradle to grave;
Libraries are recognized as key to economic development;
High quality information resources of different formats and complexity to meet people’s needs;
Delivered to people whenever and wherever they want;
Cooperative purchasing and collection development;
Dissolve territorial boundaries between different types of libraries while recognizing library missions;
Information safety net for the disadvantaged;
Vendors develop new technologies for libraries;
TexShare working groups are expanded because distance and isolation not a problem;
TexShare takes leadership in bridging the digital divide;
TexShare librarian elected Governor;
Texas libraries #1 rather than #49;
Libraries part of business, government, and educational projects;
Resource sharing listed here is the minimum in eight years.

Concrete Actions

Marketing plan;
Sharing resources in libraries and cooperative reference in libraries;
Customers of one library are customers of all (reciprocal borrowing, TexShare card);
Information literacy;
Multi-state partnerships to support information needs;
TexShare pays for professional certification and incentives for librarians in rural and undeserved areas;
More databases than Galileo;
Robust telecommunications infrastructure;
Digitization/ Texas Digital Library;
Distance learning for librarians;
Distance learning for the public through libraries;
Preservation;
Appropriate, relevant network;
Delivery of information and materials;
Cooperative purchasing;
Cooperative collection development;
Copyright resolution;
Alternative funding sources;
Recruitment of staff (to profession);
Online reference 24/7/365;
Distance communication;
Statewide union catalog;
Online instruction (information literacy) for libraries;
Online instruction (information literacy) for the public;
Automation with OPAC for all libraries;
Staffing increase;
Include school libraries;
Cost savings achieved through centralized, negotiated contracts for library operations and services.

From the list of visioning elements presented above, the three groups developed the following vision statements:

Group 1: Official version of the vision statement

The TexShare Library Consortium shall bring together a partnership of libraries of all types to enable Texans to access and obtain the high quality information resources they need to enrich and enhance their lives. New technologies, new services, and new resources will be delivered to all corners of the state to enable the populace to achieve their economic, educational, and cultural goals.

Group 1: Version A

TexShare will:

promote, facilitate, and provide primary leadership for resource sharing in Texas, and
efficiently and cost effectively deliver quality information to the citizens of Texas, regardless of location, and
be the premier statewide resource sharing consortium, known and involved nationally and internationally.

Group 1: Version B

TexShare envisions and will strive to achieve:

a Texas that supports information literacy and access for all citizens, regardless of place, purpose, or status;
a Texas whose citizens recognize and support libraries as critically valuable contributors to business, government, education, and leisure;
a Texas that is info-rich because each citizen is served by every library, and all libraries work together to identify, purchase, share, preserve, create, and make readily available a wide variety of diverse info services in all formats and languages desired by Texans.

TexShare envisions and will strive to create "Library Texas", a source of service, information, entertainment and pride for every Texan.

Group 1, Version C

The TexShare project will build a network of instantaneous access to all kinds of information for all Texans which:

offers a continuum of library and information services to all Texans, regardless of geographical location, and educational, or financial status;
provides information from quality sources in formats and at complexity levels appropriate to the diverse needs of users;
realizes cost management and efficiency benefits through cooperative purchasing, training, collection development, and resource sharing, even as services are expanded;
assures an information safety net for the economically disadvantaged and technologically non-proficient users of library services;
erases the boundaries between types of libraries and promotes statewide pride in the availability of library resources;
integrates library services into the commercial, governmental, and educational structure of every community.

Group 2

All libraries, large and small, are contributing partners in TexShare to:

provide seamless, timely access to state, national, and the world’s resources for all Texans;
integrate a continuum of lifelong learning and enrichment delivered when and where needed;
enhance the value of libraries to all Texans through cooperation;
empower Texans to confidently and effectively access and use library resources.

TexShare is the cornerstone of the state’s economic prosperity and education.

Group 3

Texans will be served by libraries partnering to create a seamless network of unlimited information resources and a continuum of library services. Texans will look to "The Texas Library" first for their information needs.

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