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TexQuest grows bigger and better on June 15, 2016! New resources from three additional providers will soon be part of TexQuest including a K-8 database from ProQuest, a K-12 eBook collection from EBSCO, and a curated collection of information about authors and books from TeachingBooks.net. Gale resources will now include Science in Context and Britannica adds 4 elementary E-STAX ebook collections. This newsletter contains steps you can take as new support and training materials for these resources are added to TexQuest.net over the summer.  Continue here for a list of the new TexQuest Resources.

Add links to new TexQuest resources at your campus/district. Make TexQuest digital resources easy for your school community to access. While links to resources will be available on TexQuest.net/search, easily accessible and identifiable icons and links on your library, campus, and/or district webpages are the best way to reach your school community. On June 15, 2016, the TexQuest Support Center will send links for all of the new resources to the district primary and library contacts of currently participating districts. We encourage you to use the icons, widgets, and direct links that should be available soon for each provider at Texquest.net/providersupport. If your district contacts have changed, please use this form to update your district information.
Customize Your TexQuest Access Information. Many districts streamline access to digital resources by accessing them with the same username and password, IP authenticating so that no username or password is necessary on campus, or a combination of both. If you have already customized with TexQuest, we will share that information with our three new providers, whenever possible. Unfortunately, not all customized usernames and/or passwords will work with some of the new systems. You may have already received a letter from our support center if:
  • your district password is less than 5 characters for EBSCO
  • your district user name is the same as one already in the ProQuest system
  • you have created more than one district username and password
Campus customization will still be done with each individual provider. Information for customizing campus information with the new providers, a link to the form to customize district access, and updated access and customization FAQs, will be available at TexQuest.net/accessfaqs.
 
Integrate new TexQuest resources into your professional development. TexQuest provides a great opportunity for library/media specialists to reinforce their campus/district roles as professional developers. While many of you will explore the resources on your own, the following opportunities will exist to learn about the new resources:
  • Face to face TexQuest training will be available at many Education Service Centers. Check the TexQuest Training Calendar or contact your ESC to find out what will be available in your area.
  • Live webinars with individual providers can be scheduled for district training using this form. Please specify the date and provider, and have alternates selected.
  • All new providers are creating "how to" videos for the DIY section of the TexQuest website, which will be posted as they are available and prior to August 1.
  • Live webinars about integrating the new resources at your campus/district will be hosted by the TexQuest Support Center at ESC-20 every Wednesday in August. Sign up now to attend on the date most convenient for you.
  • TexQuest mini-conferences are planned for several location around the state. The first one will be held at ESC-20 in San Antonio on Friday, July 29. Check the TexQuest Training Calendar for details.
All training options can be accessed at TexQuest.net.
Access your district's TexQuest usage report to set goals for next year. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides several ways for you to access your district's usage statistics, including a direct link to your TPS (TexQuest Participation Summary) Report. Follow this link for information on gathering your statistics, as well as the announcement from TSLAC that next year's per student participation fee will be no more than $.27 - 2 cents lower than originally announced.
You already have access to Gale's Science in Context. You don't have to wait until June 15 to access Gale's Science in Context. TexQuest participating districts received immediate access to this resource from one of our current providers. In fact, your science teacher may already be asking you about this popular resource - which will also be available to college students through TexShare!

Start planning for next year with best practices from around the state. If you missed the The Choice, Season 2: Knockout Ideas for TexQuest at TLA, access the IPAs (Integration Promotion Ideas) used and the great new ideas that were presented in our Go To Meeting transcript, as well as view the slide presentation by following this link. Submit the great things that you are doing by submitting your own IPA.

As materials for the new TexQuest resources are added, we will try to keep you informed. Sign up for TexQuest X-Press and share the link with other TexQuest users. Back issues are cataloged online at TexQuest.net.  Remember, the TexQuest Support Center is here to serve you. Don't hesitate to contact us.

 

Copyright © 2016 TexQuest Support Center, All rights reserved.


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