Background

TSLAC is proposing changes to the way the TexShare Databases program fees are assessed, starting with the August 2027 billing cycle. TexShare Databases program fees are currently determined by a formula that uses expenditure and enrollment or population data for each library. The formula is complex, opaque, and has not been formally re-evaluated since 2017. Additionally, under the current formula and guidelines, fees for most libraries have remained flat since 2017, even though resource contract costs have increased each year. TSLAC staff and members of the Cost Sharing Working Group have been working on a new model with tiered pricing structures that will be more transparent and predictable while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the TexShare Databases program. 

Proposed Tier Structure

The new fee model will use a tier structure. This is consistent with other similar e-resource consortia, will make the fee assessment process much more efficient for program staff, and will provide transparency and predictability for libraries participating in the TexShare Databases program.  Fee charts will be published every two years to align with funding from the Texas legislature. 

TSLAC is proposing distinct tier structures by library type. For public libraries, fees are based on total operating expenditures as reported to TSLAC in the Public Libraries Annual Report. 

Academic library fees are broken out into separate tier structures for two-year institutions, four-year institutions, and academic medical libraries. For the two- and four-year institutions, fees are based on total materials expenditures and full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment. For academic medical libraries, pricing is based solely on full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment. Academic library expenditure data and enrollment data will be obtained from the IPEDS Academic Libraries survey while available, with TSLAC preparing to collect this data from academic institutions directly in the future.