The AP reports that financial shortfalls are causing Texas libraries to drop two popular databases from its collections: HeritageQuest and STAT!Ref. The two sites are primarily used for research by genealogists and medical students.
There may be a slight reprieve however, as the Dallas Morning News reports that library officials are starting a fund-raising campaign to keep the databases on-line.
Shed some light…
The two sites are primarily used for research by genealogists and medical students.
It sounds like this a blow to the genealogists. They are clearly primary patrons of the public library.
On the other hand, don’t the med students have other places to go, like a medical school library?
Or does this decision affect all Texas public libraries (including public medical libraries)?
multitype system
The article indicates that it’s a multi-type consortium with public and academic libraries, so the Stat! database is every bit as important as the genealogy one. I’d prefer that my physician be well versed in current diagnosis and practices, rather than be able to tell me on which passenger ship my great great great aunt came over.