E-Read Texas

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E-Read Texas brings electronic books and audiobooks to Texans served by small community libraries in all parts of the state. E-Read Texas provides over 19,000 downloadable e-books and audiobooks and a mobile e-reader application that make it possible for all Texans served by public libraries to access e-books. The E-Read Texas collection primarily includes adult fiction and popular non-fiction and is most appropriate for an adult audience.

Eligibility Criteria

Texas public libraries serving a population of no more than 100,000 users are eligible to join E-Read Texas. As of October 2021, public libraries serving a population of more than 100,000 users, but with electronic collection expenditures of less than $100,000 per year are also eligible to join. 

Annual submission of the Texas Public Libraries Annual Report is also required in order to participate in E-Read Texas. 

SimplyE

TSLAC has partnered with Amigos Library Services to implement SimplyE, an e-book app, for smaller public libraries. SimplyE was developed by the New York Public Library in partnership with other major libraries in the nation in response to challenges patrons face in accessing e-books. As of September 2023, Amigos has implemented SimplyE for over 200 public libraries from all parts of Texas (map).

Contact information

• TSLAC: kmcelfresh@tsl.texas.gov
• Amigos: technologysolutions@amigos.org

Sign-Up Forms

• To sign-up for E-Read Texas, complete the three forms listed below and send them to technologysolutions@amigos.org
  • Library participation agreement 
  • Library implementation form
  • Childrens lane form

Webinars

• Upcoming webinars
  • Introductory webinars for libraries interested in joining E-Read Texas 
    • TBD
  • Updates and Q&A session for current E-Read Texas participants
    • TBD
• Recorded webinars
  • Introductory webinar, May 3, 2023
    • Slides
    • Recording
    • Transcript 
  • Updates and Q&A webinar, April 27, 2023
    • Slides
    • Recording
    • Transcript
  • Amigos Webinar - How to Promote SimplyE, October 7, 2021
    • Recording

Other Links

• TLA 2023 Presentation Slides - Getting the Most Out of E-Read Texas
• Texas Library Journal, Summer 2021, pg. 145

E-Read Texas E-Book Collections

To assist libraries that have little or no e-book content, TSLAC purchases e-books and downloadable audiobooks that libraries can lend to their patrons. The E-Read Texas collection primarily includes adult fiction and popular non-fiction and is most appropriate for an adult audience. All content can be accessed using the SimplyE mobile application. The collection is chosen to include titles that will be popular with patrons, with enough copies to keep hold lists short. The TexShare E-Books Working Group assists with selection in accordance with the E-Read Texas Collection Development Policy. If you have concerns about specific materials in the collection, please submit the Request for Reconsideration form.

• E-Read Texas Unlimited Collection (BiblioBoard) (access restricted to Texas)
• E-Read Texas for Kids Collection (Biblioboard) (access restricted to Texas)

To view title lists for the E-Read Texas collection and for information about MARC records, please visit our Collection Information page. 

Promotional Materials

Please visit the Promotional Materials page for marketing and promotional materials.

This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Grant # LS-252486-OLS-22).* (2023)