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TexShare members - The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has approved a posting for comment of a proposed rule change related to fee assessment and the fee protest process. The TexShare Advisory Board reviewed these proposed changes at its October 10, 2003 meeting. The Texas Register posting can be found at 28 TexReg 9194, October 24, http://tinyurl.com/tgc7 (The proposed changes are open for a 30-day comment period. The proposed amendments would have two impacts: 1) Deleting the old tier structure, and making the rules more adaptable to fit a variety of situations in which fees may be assessed. By stating that "Members may receive services or be assessed fees based on demographic, financial, or other relevant information," the rules allow for fees to be based on factors directly related to the service, as determined by task force and advisory boards. 2) Adding reference to the complaint (appeals) process establishes a formal mechanism by which a library may request that a fee be lowered or waived. TexShare member libraries would follow the same review procedure as is established for all other TSLAC programs. Putting this procedure into practice may involve the following steps: a. Library sends a letter of protest as outlined in the rule. b. TexShare Advisory Board reviews the protests in open meeting and makes a recommendation to the Director and Librarian regarding resolution of that complaint. (We have scheduled a TexShare Advisory Board meeting for December 12, 2003 for this purpose.) c. Director and Librarian determines resolution of protest. d. Library accepts determination or appeals decision to Texas State Library and Archives Commission. e. Texas State Library and Archives Commission hears appeals and makes final determination regarding resolution of the protest. I encourage TexShare members to review the text of these proposed changes. Please send any comments you have to me during the 30-day comment period. Your thoughts are valuable to us. Beverley Shirley, Division Director Library Resource Sharing Texas State Library and Archives Commission (512) 463-5433 FAX (512) 936-2306 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
