Let me rephrase the last e-mail. Sounded rather tacky. Maybe the idea of
less direct aid will get all of the remaining libraries in Central Texas
not taking part in TexShare moving. We're getting increased inquiries from
Taylor and Pflugerville residents who want to participate. Our experience
the past year has been everyone has returned items borrowed. The circ staff
is ecstatic about the TexShare card program as they believe so very much in
happy customers. Also, people from other communities using us tend to work
in the area or have homework assignments, and the materials they can check
out help.
Libraries that are afraid that they do not have enough materials for their
own customers may find that some of their own customers will use the other
libraries, loosening the demand for their own collections, which is
good-there may be more materials on the smaller library's shelves for those
who do NOT want to or CAN NOT go to another library. For example, our
children's collection is geared up for the summer reading program. It is
housed in 5500 sq feet. It has been our main goal for 18 years to get the
collection where it is today. During the school year, the collection gets
less use. Texshare card holders can come here and get access to a larger
children's collection, easing the burden on smaller libraries. Will my
Texshare card holder make a beeline to the smaller library to use materials?
Most likely, those users will work in those smaller communities and are
least likely to go out of their way to get to the neighboring library unless
they are passing through, e.g., someone coming from Alcoa, stopping in
Taylor, and then coming on home to Round Rock-not many of those folks,
though they do exist. And if the smaller libraries are open only until 5:00
or 6:00, that use is even less likely to happen. And one can always opt out
of the program if it is a catastrophe. Think about this-paying customers at
health spas are least likely to use the spa if it is located more than 15
minutes from their home or work. I would think the same applies for library
use as well.
Libraries that provide the Texshare card for their customers can decide when
to offer it to the customer. It you have a month "probation" for ILL or full
use of the library, use that as the trigger to get a TexShare card. It isn't
just the access to the public libraries, it is also access to the academic
library-for the AP and honors kids, this helps provide a more level playing
field when the public library just doesn't have all the material. You can
also decide what is not accessible to the Texshare card holder. We have a
super summer reading program. Texshare card participants were not permitted
to participate as the local Friends of the Library funds most of the
programs-a burden on them to come up with prizes for people not directly
contributing to the library in the form of taxes or non-resident fees. You
may not want to have your limited number of best sellers go to the Texshare
card holder.
I was at the Sonic in Taylor about 3 months ago. The wait person started up
a conversation about wanting to use the RR Public Library (not sure how the
library aspect came up, but her discussion was rather animated). She lived
in Taylor. She was aware of the TexShare program. As it wasn't available, I
just encouraged her to get her grandmother-in-law, who lived in Round Rock,
to add her family's name to the card for the time being. She would have been
happier to just get the OK from her local library and not get her
grandmother to come to the library to get a card just to add her name to
it..
So, let's encourage ALL the libraries not involved MOVING on this! Most
customers are honest and friendly. Let's reward them!
Otherwise, I'm going to get part of your state library allocation. :)
This from a library that strongly believes in non-resident fees, by the way!
But why not extend services to our residents and paying non-residents?
Really helps the non-resident (county) resident feel like he/she is getting
more for their money, too. And, unlike 10 years ago, many of the libraries
in the two county area of been strengthened immensely-why not share that
strength?
Dale
-----------------------------------------------------
Dale L. Ricklefs, Library Director
Round Rock Public Library System
216 E. Main, Round Rock, TX 78664
512-218-7010 (voice); 512-218-7061 (fax); [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.ci.round-rock.tx.us/library/library.html
-----Original Message-----
From: Dale Ricklefs [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2001 12:34 PM
To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'
Subject: RE: Important TexShare Card info
Great. Maybe this will get Taylor and Pflugerville moving!!!
-----------------------------------------------------
Dale L. Ricklefs, Library Director
Round Rock Public Library System
216 E. Main, Round Rock, TX 78664
512-218-7010 (voice); 512-218-7061 (fax); [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.ci.round-rock.tx.us/library/library.html
-----Original Message-----
From: Sharon Herfurth [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2001 10:57 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Important TexShare Card info
If you have already received the "Loan Star Libraries Fact Sheet," you've
noticed that your library should participate in the TexShare card program in
order to be eligible to receive 100% of your direct aid allocation from the
Texas State Library.
The TexShare Card Program has a new coordinator at the State Library. Her
name is Valerie Johnson, phone 512-463-0188; email
[EMAIL PROTECTED] You can contact Valerie or me if you need
more information about the TexShare Card Program.
Thanks,
Sharon
Sharon Herfurth
Central Texas Library System
800-262-4431 or 512-499-7598
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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