Texas: San Antonio Public Public Library & Bexar County BiblioTech Partnering on Digital Content Acquisition and Delivery

From the San Antonio-Express News:

A city-county rivalry over digital library services has eased with the announcement of a new partnership between the San Antonio Public Library system and the all-digital Bexar County BiblioTech.
Mayor Ivy Taylor and County Judge Nelson Wolff disclosed the pact with vows to improve cooperation between the SAPL and the new county library system, which at times appeared to be competitors.

From a Joint Statement by the Two Libraries (via SanAntonio.gov):

Although there were a few bumps in the road, today’s agreement is proof that we can work together to provide more efficient and effective services for our taxpayers,” says Mayor Taylor. “Libraries are among our most important services and I am delighted to announce the expansion of our collection through partnership with Bexar County.”
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City and County staff have developed a conceptual collaborative framework which will facilitate the selection and the delivery of digital content and other library resources while keeping their respective brands and presence. The San Antonio Public Library and BiblioTech are committed to working together to provide the best possible library experience to all residents with the goal of seamless use of both library systems.

While Bexar County will be reducing its payment to the City of San Antonio for library services over a four year period effective FY 2016, Bexar County is committed to reinvesting those dollars in electronic resources to be made available to all residents of the City and County.

The San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees is scheduled to take action on this new partnership during the regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, April 22.  San Antonio City Council is scheduled to take action on Thursday, May 7.

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