Reprinted from the Hoston Genealogical Forum: Yesterday I received my issue of the Texas State Library and Archives newsletter. A point of interest to us all is the announcement that the "State Library to launch LIBRARY OF TEXAS. [abstracted portions:] the State Library is currently laying the groundwork for a five-year build-out of new services, technology, and infrastructure. As each phase of the project is completed, the LIBRARY OF TEXAS will offer a growing variety of electronic information to school children and their parents; business owners and their customers; legislators and their constituents; and all others across Texas with access to the Internet, either through their local library or from their personal computers. The LIBRARY OF TEXAS project builds on existing agency services and extends thei scope and reach in ways never before possible. The core programs of the LIBRARY OF TEXAS included Online Databases .. in which public and academic libraries can access otherwise expensive subscription databases free of charge .... and permit library patrons to access them from their home or office computers. Electronic State Government Information ..... [*] Statwide Catalog - imagine extending the reach of one online catalog to include libraries across Texas. In one simple search, online patrons will be able to search for specific items; detemine where in Texas they can find them; and initiate an Interlibrary Loan to have them delivered to their local library. [*] Extensive Training to reach librarians across Texas. Over $40 million in grant monies from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board." Sounds exciting for everyone! Keep a watch on the progress; surely the news media will make note!? Bobbie Ross, county co-ordinator for Coryell County, Texas http://www.rootsweb.com/~txcoryel/