Loss in funding could result in loss of education

It’s 2 a.m. After five hours working on a 10-page research paper due at 8 a.m., the realization comes that one more source is needed to complete the assignment.

Currently, students in this situation can easily log on to the Alfred R. Neumann Library website, click on a database and research virtually any given topic, but if the Texas legislature passes the proposed Texas budget, those databases could disappear. If TexShare funds are cut, then libraries will lose access to more than 40 databases, which in turn will hurt students’ ability to gather information for research.

The proposed budget currently in the Texas senate will cut all state funding to TexShare, a resource-sharing program for public and academic libraries. Right now TexShare receives $8 million from the state, $3 million from federal funds and another $3.1 million contributed by libraries through fees.

TexShare is only one of several programs in danger to lose all of its state funding. Other library programs include the K-12 Database Program which gives Texas schools access to thousands of online full-text education resources, Loan Star Libraries and other statewide library programs. The State Law Library is also in danger of losing its state funding.

Currently there are more than 650 libraries across the state using TexShare. These consist of 4-year public and private universities, community colleges, public libraries and libraries of clinical medicine. The loss of TexShare would cause Texas students across the state to miss out on important information that would help enhance their educational experience.

Students are not alone in suffering if TexShare loses its state funding; faculty members will also be at a loss. Tenure and tenure- track faculty members in a university are required to research and publish.

The Texas Library Association, established in1902, made up of more than 7,000 members comprised of employees of academic, public, school and special libraries, is currently fighting against the budget and trying to rally Texans across the state to stand up and make their voices heard. The association will march onto the capital steps April 13 for their annual Rally for Texas Libraries event, which will bring attention, among other things, to the need for database access through TexShare.

As members of the UHCL community we can also show our support for Texas libraries, and the need for TexShare, by writing to our elected officials. When writing to elected officials there are a few guidelines that need to be remembered. For example, students and staff need to make sure that they do not use any government-funded items, including university stationary or e-mail addresses. The University of Houston system website offers many tips on how to write to elected officials at www.uhsa.uh.edu under the governmental relations section.

Throughout our college education, TexShare and the databases it provides allows us to venture out to thoroughly grasp a concept or delve deeper into a specific topic or subject. By proposing to eliminate all state funding to a much-needed program, the legislature may be saving money, but they are also cutting our chance of a well-rounded education.