Texas State Library To Provide Research Database Access for All Public Schools

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has inked a deal to gain online access to research databases and an e-book collection for every public school library in the state.

TSLAC partnered with Gale on the deal, which will make the resources available to more than 5 million students at 9,000 elementary, middle and high schools beginning June 15. The research databases "include multimedia, periodical and reference content on a wide range of topics," according to a news release, and will be available to students on mobile devices via the company's AccessMyLibrary app.

Databases available as part of the agreement include:

Gale will also partner with TSLAC to provide training and support materials to school librarians to help students get the most out of the resources.

For the first year, access will be free to the districts. After that, districts will be required to pay 22 cents per each student to maintain their access.

"The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is very glad to be able to partner with Gale Cengage to offer Texas K-12 students and faculty this rich collection of online information resources," said Mark Smith, director and state librarian at TSLAC, in a prepared statement.

More information about the deal is available at tsl.texas.gov.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • classroom scene with students gathered around a laptop showing a virtual tour interface

    Discovery Education Announces Spring Lineup of Free Virtual Field Trips

    This Spring, Discovery Education is collaborating with partners such as Warner Bros., DC Comics, National Science Foundation, NBA, and more to present a series of free virtual field trips for K-12 students.

  • glowing padlock shape integrated into a network of interconnected neon-blue lines and digital nodes, set against a soft, blurred geometric background

    3 in 4 Administrators Expect a Security Incident to Impact Their School This Year

    In an annual survey from education identity platform Clever, 74% of administrators admitted that they believe a security incident is likely to impact their school system in the coming year. That's up from 71% who said the same last year.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • pattern of icons for math and reading, including a pi symbol, calculator, and open book

    HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

    Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.