Texas Professional Association for Library Sales

February 2003 Newsletter 

 

2/6/03:  UPDATE

·         To all current and former TPALS members…this letter is directed to you.

  •   To all vendor representatives who conduct business in any manner with Texas libraries:  K-12, Public, Academic, or Special…this letter is directed to you.

 

TEXAS LEGISLATIVE DAY

As TPALS’ Chair, I will be attending Texas Legislative Day in Austin on February 12 to participate in the legislative process along with Texas librarians.  As many of you may already be aware, continued funding of TIF is in jeopardy and will be a primary topic for discussion with state legislators.

Additionally, on February 11, along with the TLA Exhibits Department, TPALS will sponsor a marketing program to address several vendor issues.  From 1 to 4 pm, vendors will have the opportunity to participate in a no-cost program with three important components:

 

1pm-2pm:       Richard Erschik, marketing consultant, will inform you on effective ways to follow-up with the leads you obtain during conference.  In addition, TLA staff and TPALS will provide tips on effective marketing utilizing TLA services.

                       

2pm-3pm:       2pm-3pm:    The following library leaders will discuss the process of selling to and making bids with their respective library industries:

  • Joan Heath, Southwest Texas State University

  • Tom Moran, Austin Public Library
  • Jeanette Mosley, Austin Community College

  • Elizabeth Polk, Austin Independent School District

 

3pm-4pm:       Julie Todaro, Austin Community College Library Director and Incoming TLA Legislative Committee Chair, will conduct a discussion on library advocacy. 

TLA CONFERENCE PLANNING

“To promote greater communication between Librarians and Sales People”…so reads the primary goal within TPALS’ bylaws as to the purpose for our very existence as a round table to TLA.  Perhaps at no time since TPALS was formed has the support of everyone who reads this e-mail been more needed in order for our organization to not only pursue this goal, but to survive. 

On Thursday, April 3, 12:00-1:00, TPALS will hold our annual business meeting while in Houston at this year’s TLA conference.  In order to promote greater attendance and encourage membership enrollment, we will host our first business-meeting luncheon.  A luncheon registration will be available shortly on our TPALS website and TLA’s Showtalk.  However, we would like to get an estimated number of those who plan to attend as soon as possible, so please contact TPALS Secretary, Pam Weinberg, via e-mail: PWeinb9903@AOL.com and confirm your plans to join us for our business luncheon in Houston.

As a member of the vendor community who call on Texas Libraries, we want and need your participation.   Please mark your calendars accordingly and consider this a personal invitation to attend this important meeting whether you are a current TLA member or not. 

 Finally, if you have not already done so, please visit the TPALS’ new website when you can: http://www.txla.org/groups/tpals/index.html.                          

Hugh Jones, 2002-2003 TPALS Chair

TPALS   •