Over the past decade, one of the biggest challenges to academic libraries has been finding creative ways to provide access to research database resources within limited budgets. As publishers continue to increase subscription costs, libraries have done their best to maintain access. At Texas State, we have employed a variety of approaches from negotiating customized packages to partnering with other institutions for negotiations, to offering Articles-on-Demand and pay-for-use options.
One of the partnerships that has enabled Texas State researchers to access a select group of databases is with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC). TSLAC provides access to its TexShare databases for state academic libraries, k-12 libraries, and public libraries in Texas.
Recently, Texas State’s University Libraries learned that TSLAC will be reducing its database offerings due to an immediate reduction in federal funding. Thirty percent of TSLAC’s funding comes from the federal government. This loss of funding means TSLAC must reduce resource costs by 30 percent.
In mid-May, TSLAC will let us know which databases we will lose access to on June 1. We know that the cuts will come from a list of 46 databases. TSLAC is working with vendors to get the best pricing and will make cuts based on statewide usage.
Every database that we license through TexShare has the red, white, and blue state of Texas icon by it in our A-Z database list. Look for the TexShare icon to see what is provided through TexShare. We don’t include all 46 databases in our collection as some are specific to K-12.
When TSLAC announces which databases we will lose access to, we will share that information with you and we will indicate its loss in the listing. We will try and identify content to fill the gaps, but that process will take time. We do anticipate a gap in coverage until we can identify potential replacements and obtain access to those.
We understand that the loss of access to this content may impact your work, and we’re here to support you through the transition. Please feel free to contact us.