Conference 2003

Continuing education and networking form the basis of a thriving, energetic corps of professionals. The Texas Library Association's annual conference offers all types of library workers and supporters a forum to share ideas and learn the latest in library methods and innovations.

This year's conference in Houston will celebrate the ongoing value of libraries as centers of democracy and citizenship. "Libraries: Freedom in Action," the 2003 conference theme, highlights the profound function of information and open debate in a free society.

Houston 2003 will feature a broad array of program and events, and it is an event you simply can't afford to miss! Set in the biggest city in Texas (Librarian's Guide to Houston), this conference the largest state library conference in the nation offers programs designed to meet your needs. Be a part of the excitement and learning. Join thousands of your colleagues by investing in your professional development.

Here's an overview, showing why TLA 2003 is your best choice for continuing education and networking opportunities.

Advocacy and Legislation
Building Leadership
Continuing Education
Digital Resources
Ethics
Fundraising
Genealogy/Local History
Human Resource Management
Intellectual Property
and Copyright
JSTOR Studies
Killer Aps and Broadband
Libraries for the Future
Management

New Technologies and Imaging
OCLC Updates
Public Relations
Quality Children's Programming
Recruitment
Scholarly Communications
Telecommunications
User Services
Video Streaming
Web Resources and Use
TeXShare
Young Adult Materials
Z39.50 Specifications

Some of the speakers scheduled to appear at TLA 2003 include: Dr. Bill Cosby, Robert (Bob) Cringely, Adriana Trigiani, Kathi Appelt, Diane Gonzales Bertrand, Susan Stevens Crummel, Paulia Elam, Paul Epner, Paulette Jiles, Angela Shelf Medearis, Pat Mora, Rick Riordan, Orson Scott Card, Jacqueline Carey, Tamora Pierce, William Sleator, Jack Whyte, Marianne Dyson, Michael Hoeye, Joan Lowery Nixon, Renè Saldaña, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Diane Stanley, Brian Jacques, Andrew Clements, Anita Bunkley, Sybil Avery Jackson, Thomas Meloncon, Margie Walker, Linda Waters, Eve Bunting, Frank Keating, Mike Wimmer, Matthew Gollub, Carolyn Hart, Marion Moore Hill, Sujata Massey, Chris Rogers, Barbara Burnett Smith, Anilù Bernardo, Lila Guzmàn, Rosellen Brown, and
Bill Crider.

The conference features leaders and experts on all facets of libraries and organizations: Mitch Freedman, ALA president; Keith Michael Fiels, ALA executive director; Georgia Harper, specialist in intellectual property; Patricia Schuman, president, Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.; Ken Haycock of the University of British Columbia; Blair Cummins, director of the Island Park Public Library (New York); School Library Journal columnist Kathleen Baxter; Dave Genesy of the San Jose Public Library; Sally Reed, FOLUSA executive director; library law specialist Mary Minow; Mary Rae Costabile, ALA Washington Office; and Gretchen McCord Hoffmann, copyright specialist. They will be joined by Texas' own library leaders many of whom are as prominent on the national scene as they are in Texas.

In addition to these programs and presentations, TLA 2003 includes the third-largest library tradeshow in the world. The vendors in the exhibit hall offer everything you need to take your library to the next level of service.

The Technology Showcase and Net Fair feature demonstrations of the latest high-tech products available to your patrons and staff. TLA's Placement Center once again offers a key link between job seekers and employers.

Social activities include Tuesday night's "Party on the Plaza," which will feature live entertainment and access to numerous downtown facilities, and the President's Party on Wednesday at the Hyatt, where a big band, the "Andrews Sisters," and the jitterbug will await you! Other social events include the annual Evening with the Authors (to take place at the fabulous Petroleum Club) and numerous special TLA group events, such as the Small Community Libraries Dessert Social, the Texas library school dinners, the Texas Media Awards program, and the Doo-Wop and TALL Texans Annual Funfest on Thursday night.

During the day, enjoy a Tunnel Walk/Tour of the downtown Houston tunnel system, participate in the 16^thannual Hetherington Fun Run/Walk, take a yoga class, or grab the opportunity to visit one of the numerous attractions in the city.

EXHIBITS

With more than 375 exhibiting companies offering thousands of library products and services, the TLA 2003 Annual Conference is the world's third-largest library tradeshow. Vendors from across the continent offer TLA attendees the opportunity to compare and select from every type of product and service needed in today's diverse libraries. Vendors include both first-time TLA participants and companies that have come to the conference for more than 40 years. Publishers and vendors provide a wide array of opportunities to meet with librarians and showcase the latest in industry developments and materials. A detailed exhibit guide and map will be included in the onsite program.

Exhibits-only passes (good for all three days) will be sold onsite at the convention center for $15.00.

Don't forget to block out time to tour the exhibit area and remember to thank the exhibitors for their support of TLA. The exhibits will be located in Exhibit Halls B and C (which are connected) of the George R. Brown Convention Center and will be open:

The New Members Round Table will sponsor a Bag Check. Cost is $1.00 per bag. All proceeds go to support the activities of the New Members Round Table.

Volunteers are needed to assist the Local Arrangements Committee in several areas during the 2003 Annual Conference. If you're interested, complete and return the volunteer form on page 61. Volunteers should be willing to serve at least two hours during the annual conference. Volunteers who are not registered for the conference will receive a complimentary exhibits-only pass for four hours of volunteer service.

Located in the exhibit hall, the Technology Showcase offers demonstrations of the latest in library management systems, computer-assisted instruction, and other leading-edge information technologies. The Technology Showcase will be open:

Link to the world or just stay in touch with home at the Internet Room, located in the registration area of Exhibit Hall C. Work stations will be available for checking email, and experienced Web users will be on hand to assist attendees.

The Placement Center will be located in Registration Area A on the second level of the convention center. Its hours of operation will be:

Placement Center Procedures

The 2003 Placement Center is now automated! The employer job listing form and job seeker registration form are located on the TLA website. These forms will be accessible on laptop computers during the conference; however, it's recommended that participants complete their online forms prior to arriving at conference.

There is no fee to use the Placement Center, but all users must be registered attendees of the annual conference. Any conference registrant may register with the Placement Center as either an employer or job seeker. Employers wishing to interview at the conference may reserve a booth in the Placement Center.

Tickets for all-conference meal functions must be purchased through the annual conference preregistration process. Tickets will not be available onsite. For some functions, conference preregistration is required, and a limited number of tickets may be available. (These are noted on the preregistration form.) Ticket prices are based on the cost of food served, service charges, room set-up charges, speaker fees, and
other expenses.

Gallery seating will be available 30 minutes after the meal function begins for attendees without meal tickets who wish to hear the speaker (with the exception of the Texas Bluebonnet Award Luncheon).

Menus are listed below. If you have special dietary needs or wish a different meal option, please contact the TLA office in writing by March 14, 2003. Be specific.

Featuring authors Paulette Jiles and Rick Riordan. Ticket price is $30. Tickets must be purchased by March 3 through the preregistration process.

Featuring the Texas Bluebonnet Award winner. Ticket price is $30.00. Tickets must be purchased by March 3 through the preregistration process.

Featuring Chitra Divakurani, Fritz Lanham, Jill McCorkle, Marsha Moyer, and Jacqueline Woodson. Ticket price is $60. Tickets must be purchased by March 3 through the preregistration process.

Featuring Robert Sabuda. Ticket price is $24. Tickets must be purchased by March 3 through the preregistration process.

Featuring Adriana Trigiani. Ticket price is $27. Tickets must be purchased by March 3 through the preregistration process.

Sixteenth Annual Hetherington Fun Run/Walk

Stay in shape, enjoy the sights of Houston MacGregor Park, get a
T-shirt, and support the Hetherington Leadership Development Fund named in honor of former TLA Executive Director Jerre Hetherington and her husband, Glen. Paramedic services and refreshments will be available.

TPALS Annual Conference Golf Tournament

All attendees and exhibitors are invited to participate in the 2003 TPALS Annual Conference Golf Tournament, sponsored by the Texas Professional Association for Library Sales Round Table on Tuesday, April 1, 2003. Check-in time is 1:00 pm, and the tournament will begin at 1:45 pm. The tournament will be held at Southwyck Golf Club, 2901 Clubhouse Drive, Pearland TX 77584. Registration deadline is March 7, 2003 or when the first 72 paid entries are received! The entry fee of $89 includes green fee, cart, range balls, prizes, soft drinks, and beer! An optional barbecue dinner with beef and chicken plus several vegetable choices, drink, and dessert for only $10 per person will be served after the tournament.

Archives and Local History Round Table Museum of Printing History Field Trip

Enjoy an afternoon that includes lunch, exhibits, and book arts demonstrations. This museum is rapidly growing in material and equipment; it has recently acquired almost 5,000 miniature books. Transportation is provided. Meet at the convention center, lower level, outside of Hall A. Cost is $25 per person.

Downtown Houston Walking Tour

Discover downtown Houston's tunnel system with a guided Tunnel Walking Tour. The Tunnel Walk will start in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Each participant will be given a one-page handout with a map and information about the tunnel system. No ticket is necessary.

Yoga

Start your morning with a Hatha yoga class for people of all levels, beginners as well as regular yoga practitioners. Stretching and relaxation exercises will get your body in tune and your mind in focus for the busy day ahead. Bring your yoga mat or a large bath towel.

Evening events and social activities at the annual conference include both gatherings open to all attendees and ticketed functions for those with special interests.

All-Conference Welcome Party

Begin conference with a celebration and join friends for a "Party on the Plaza!" Downtown facilities will have an open door not to mention refreshments and entertainment waiting for you! Stroll through HPL's Julia Ideson Building and the Jesse H. Jones Building, City Hall's Tourist Center, and historic buildings in Sam Houston Park! Hear the sweet sounds of a musical quartet and shop in one of the city's best gift shops. You will also have an opportunity to hear some great stories, as Tuesday's traditional Story Swap is combined with downtown Plaza activities.

President's All- Conference Party

Party hearty at the President's Party in the Hyatt ballroom, where the big band Sentimental Journey, members of the Houston Swing Dance Society, the "Andrews Sisters," and good times await you!

Texas Media Awards Ceremony

Join the Texas Media Awards Committee in honoring the student winners for 2002-2003. Celebrate the creative uses of media in promoting freedom of thought and expression. Parents, students, and guests are invited to a reception following the program. No ticket is necessary.

Library School Dinners

Want to know what your library classmates are up to? Find out during the annual alumni library school dinners. Tickets are required; see the preregistration form.

Evening with the Authors

Thursday, April 3, 7:00 pm 9:00 pm
Petroleum Club, ExxonMobil Building, 800 Bell, 43^rd Floor

Join colleagues for a magical evening in Houston's landmark Petroleum Club. The Club's dramatic view will serve as a backdrop for an evening of fine dining and interacting with noted authors Chitra Divakaruni, Fritz Lanham, Jill McCorkle, Marsha Moyer, and Jacqueline Woodson. Between each gourmet course, authors will bring their works and characters to life. Houston Chronicle book editor Fritz Lanham will serve as the evening's emcee. Tickets are $60.

Texas Association of School Librarians Private School Tour and Dinner

Harlem After Hours: An Evening at the Ensemble Theatre

Don't miss this classy and entertaining world premier musical that transforms the Ensemble Theatre stage into a vintage Harlem "after-hours" club. A cavalcade of singers will dazzle you with late night jams and reveries of the heart. Transportation will be provided. Tickets are $30.

Storytelling
Concert

Celebrate the past, present, and future of our lives through story! This evening of magical entertainment transcends time, culture, and language.

Small Community Libraries
Round Table Dessert Social

Persons interested in small community libraries are invited to join other attendees and enjoy fellowship and desserts and submit their names for door prizes! The presentation of the Small Community Librarian of the Year highlights the event. No ticket is necessary.

Doo-Wop Intergalactic Round Table and
TALL Texans Round Table Annual Funfest

Come join the Doo-Wop Intergalactic and TALL Texans Round Tables at their annual shindig and business meeting. We'll be sharing the venue with other folks, so play nice. Proceeds go to the Elizabeth Crabb Fund.

Tickets can be purchased by March 3, 2003 through the preregistration process and can also be purchased at the door for $15.00.

Dr. Bill Cosby is a world-renowned comedian, actor, and producer. He is the best-selling author of Fatherhood, Love & Marriage, Time Flies, and Cosbyology. Through his creative talent, he has showcased the power of family and the humor and wisdom of everyday life. In his most recent work, Friends of a Feather, he creates a powerful tale for kids of all ages on the importance of being oneself. Dr. Cosby received the 2002 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Don't miss an unforgettable morning as this legendary figure talks about books, freedom, and striving to be the best.

Futurist Robert X. Cringely has worked in the computer industry for 20 years. He is a well-known voice on the debate of technology's role in modern life. Humorous and often iconoclastic, Cringely offers an insightful look at tomorrow's world. He was an InfoWorld columnist for eight years and created the hit PBS miniseries Triumph of the Nerds. He is also the author of the best-selling book Accidental Empires: How the Boys of Silicon Valley Make Their Millions, Battle Foreign Competition, and Still Can't Get a Date.

Adriana Trigiani, award-winning playwright and author, has honed her storytelling abilities over a decade of writing and producing some of television's top-rated shows. Milk Glass Moon, the final book in her trilogy, once again brings to life the moving world of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cap off conference with a fascinating journey that takes you to the coal mines of Virginia and into the hearts of those seeking wisdom, humor, and honesty. Her other works include Big Stone Gap and Big Cherry Holler.

Dr. Joseph Janes, founding director of the Internet Public Library, is an assistant professor at the Information School of the University of Washington. He is co-author of seven books on librarianship, technology, and their relationship, including the Internet Public Library Handbook, and has spoken widely on the nature and scope of digital reference in public and academic libraries. His research focuses on the practical use of technology in reference and user services and the relationships between traditional resources and their digital counterparts.

Enemy Women tells the story of a young woman's struggle during the Civil War. Set in Missouri's Ozarks, Enemy Women is the eagerly awaited first novel by award-winning poet and memoirist Paulette Jiles. Known for her concise and elegant prose, Jiles reveals the universal horrors of war and the irreparable damage it inflicts upon innocent lives. Her story illuminates the strength born of the will to survive and the quiet, redeeming grace of true love. She is also the author of Cousins.

Frank Keating has held many government positions, including assistant secretary of the Department of the Treasury and associate attorney general of the United States. He is the former governor of Oklahoma, an office he held from 1994-2002. Governor Keating is widely recognized as one of America's most articulate and able political leaders. His first term as governor was marked by significant achievement and by an overwhelming tragedy. On April 19, 1995, a terrorist's bomb exploded in downtown Oklahoma City, and Keating led a state response that drew worldwide admiration. A noted speaker and author, he recently completed Will Rogers: An American Legend with illustrator Mike Wimmer.

Rick Riordan is the author of the Tres Navarre mysteries, which have won the top three awards in the mystery genre. His books include Big Red Tequila, The Widower's Two-Step, and The Devil Went Down to Austin. Booklist credited his series as possessing "[s]eamless plotting, a vivid setting, multidimensional characters this series has it all. As satisfying as an icy cold margarita on a steamy Texas night." His short fiction has appeared in Mary Higgins Clark's Mystery Magazine and Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. His fifth novel, the standalone thriller Cold Springs, will be available in late spring.

Legal expert and former librarian Mary Minow specializes in First Amendment, copyright, and local government law (among others). She has taught library law at the San Jose State School of Library Science and serves as the president of the California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners Board. " I care about [sic] sharing the most practical parts of the law that I learned, the good, the bad and the ugly, with my former colleagues, the librarians of the world." She manages www.LibraryLaw.com and has served as an advisor to the Library of Congress on Internet access issues.

For over a decade, Dr. Camilo Cruz has investigated the reasons why some people and organizations successfully accomplish their goals, while others do not make progress. After years of research, Cruz has developed a program for success called actioneering, which he has introduced to Fortune 500 executives and numerous national organizations. He is the author of 15 self-improvement works and has been frequently featured on television and radio shows. His focus is on providing clear strategies and practical concepts that can be applied immediately to help put passion back into the work place.

For more than 25 years, Joan Frye Williams has been a successful librarian and consultant of computerized library and information systems. She specializes in information technology planning, management, and marketing. She is best known as an acute and sometimes irreverent observer of trends in what she calls "the cultural anthropology of libraries and library automation." Her greatest interest is in how people behave when confronted by new technology, and she offers practical advice for coping with the changes that technology can bring.

	EXHIBIT HALL	MEAL FUNCTIONS
	SPECIAL EVENTS	SPEAKERS

Conference Overview