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In this issue

I. Sunset Commission Draft Recommendations Released

I. Sunset Commission Draft Recommendations Released

The Texas Sunset Advisory staff has released draft recommendations for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.  The draft report may be accessed at: http://www.sunset.state.tx.us/80.htm#lac. Click on “Staff Report” under the State Library.

The Sunset staff identified four issues and is proposing recommendations to address those issues.

Issue 1: Texas Has a Continuing Need for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Key Recommendation

• Continue the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for 12 years.

Issue 2: The Structure for Funding Regional Library Systems Fails to Provide Flexibility to Meet Changing Conditions or Encourage Innovation.

Key Recommendations

• Remove the system funding formula from statute and require the Commission to adopt a new formula in rule that provides flexibility but continues to ensure funding for basic system support services.
• Require TSLAC to distribute a portion of system funds in competitive grants aimed at increasing innovation and targeting state and federal goals.
• TSLAC should use its Library Systems Act Advisory Board in the development of a new system formula.

Issue 3: State Certification of County Librarians Is Not Needed to Ensure Public Access to Quality Library Services.

Key Recommendation

• Eliminate TSLAC’s certification of county librarians.

Issue 4: Lack of Statutory Direction Could Threaten the Success of Efforts to Provide Online Access to Texas’ Historic Documents.

Key Recommendation

• Authorize TSLAC to promote, and provide leadership to, collaboration between a wide range of Texas institutions to develop an online tool for searching digitized cultural resources.

If you would like to comment on this report, the Sunset Commission would appreciate hearing from you.  Please provide your written response to the recommendations in the staff report, indicating your support or opposition, as well as suggesting any modifications you feel would improve the recommendations.  In addition, you may raise other issues or provide any additional information you would like the Commission to consider.  If you return your response by Friday, October 13, the staff can provide that information to the Sunset Commission members before the public hearing.

Sunset Advisory Commission
P.O. Box 13066
Austin, TX 78711

Phone:  (512) 463-1300
Fax:  (512) 463-0705
e-mail address: sunset@sunset.state.tx.us

The Sunset Commission will hold hearings on the State Library on November 14 and 15, 2006 in Austin.

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