Volume 16, Number 1
February/March 1997
In this issue:
Lawmakers Urge TIF to Fund Internet for All Public Libraries
Librarians Appointed to TIF Library and Telemedicine Advisory Committee
Homeless Musician to Present Concert Series for Black History Month at DPL
"*$@&#!" or "Support Your Library, Dammit!": The Elizabeth Crabb Fund Benefit
Senator David Sibley and Representative Sylvester Turner have called on the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board (TIF) to pay for Internet connections in every public library in Texas by 1999.
"Our vision of Texas is to have a totally interconnected state," said Sen. Sibley (R-Waco). "We want each Texan to have access to the Information Superhighway, including Texans who can't afford a computer and modem. Under our plan, every public library patron will have access to the Internet within two years."
"Libraries are integral resources for our schools and communities," said Rep. Turner (D-Houston). "I am very pleased that we now have a mechanism such as the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund to ensure the public greater access to telecommunications technology and, as a result, to more information."
The legislators announced their plan February 12 -- the day after TLA Legislative Day -- at a press conference where Sen. Sibley and Rep. Turner were joined at the podium by Susan Mann, director of the Hillsboro City Library. Ms. Mann praised the lawmakers' vision as well as their recognition of the role that libraries play in ensuring universal citizen access to information. The Hillsboro City Library is located in Sen. Sibley's district and is connected to the Internet.
Sibley and Turner expect that the plan will cost just over $7.7 million to connect libraries that are currently not tied to the Internet. The estimated price includes two personal computer workstations, software, training, cable and cable hardware, and a network printer.
The announcement by Sen. Sibley and Rep. Turner came as the fitting culmination of a successful 1997 TLA Legislative Day effort. Over 200 librarians from across the state converged on Austin to urge their senators and representatives to support their libraries.
Legislative Day delegates did a wonderful job of relating to their legislators this year's TLA agenda of funding requests and resource sharing initiatives between all types of libraries. Sibley and Turner's announcement comes as the culmination of several year's worth of Legislative Days, grassroots lobbying, and monitoring of the legislative process by librarians in all parts of the state. Member participation in TLA legislative activities has directly resulted in many key gains for libraries, including funding for the TexShare academic library consortium, the Texas Library Connection, the inclusion of libraries in HB 2128, and public library Internet connections.
The Legislature established the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund in 1995 as part of House Bill 2128, sponsored by Sen. Sibley. The first TIF grant program, or RFP, resulted in awards in January to connect over 95 public schools to the Internet. The second round of TIF grants will connect public schools in districts of fewer than 1,000 residents.
"We hope this [the library connections] will be their third RFP, and we hope they can start on it day after tomorrow,"said Sen. Sibley. When asked if he had discussed his plans with the TIF staff, Sibley said, "We've talked to them and they are agreeable; now we just want to put an exclamation point on it."
Librarians Appointed to TIF Library and
Telemedicine Advisory Committee
The Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board has appointed five Texas librarians to a committee that will advise the TIF Board on matters pertaining to libraries and telemedicine. The five are June Garcia, San Antonio Public Library; George Huffman, Amarillo College; Dana Rooks, University of Houston; James Stewart, Victoria Public Library; and Louella Weatherbee, UT Health Science Center. Six members drawn from the statewide health care community were also appointed. At its first meeting on January 10, TIF Board member John Collins directed the group to begin to draft language to be used in future TIF grants to libraries and health care facilities.
Math Curse Wins 1997 Bluebonnet Award
Texas school children in grades 3-6 have chosen Math Curse by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith as the Texas Bluebonnet Award winner for 1997. Math Curse is a fanciful journey through the world of numbers where everything from taking the bus to school to making birthday cupcakes becomes a math problem.
Over 191,000 students in 1,558 schools cast votes for the books on the 1996-97 master list. Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park and Swamp Angel by Anne Isaacs were runners-up, receiving 24,968 and 16,671 votes respectively.
The award will be presented to Jon Scieszka at the Texas Bluebonnet Award luncheon held Thursday, April 10 during the TLA Annual Conference. Ten Texas schools have been selected to send students to represent Texas Bluebonnet Award readers at the award luncheon. The schools, representing the ten library regions across the state, are: District 1, Santa Rita Elementary School, San Angelo; District 2, Sundown Lane Elementary School, Canyon; District 3, Axtell Elementary School, Axtell; District 4, Magee Elementary School, Corpus Christi; District 5, Hutchins Elementary School, Hutchins; District 6, Fannin Elementary School, El Paso; District 7, Lake Dallas Elementary School, Lake Dallas; District 8, Owens Intermediate School, Houston; District 9, Trinity School, Midland; District 10, Salado Middle School, San Antonio.
Volunteers are needed to assist with the Bluebonnet Award booth during the TLA Annual Conference, April 8-11 in Fort Worth. Librarians willing to donate an hour or more of their time to work the booth are urged to contact Annette Nall, TBA coordinator, at 806/655-3959.
Black Caucus program to highlight TLA
Conference
Managing change, promoting diversity among topics addressed in
three events
The Black Caucus Interest Group of TLA will present three programs at the TLA conference in Fort Worth, including a pre-conference and two conference programs.
The Human Side of Change
Do you feel exhilarated or bewildered as libraries change? Are you as fulfilled
now as you were before the Information Revolution? TLABC pre-conference presenter
Alice Hunter will explain how workplace change transforms not only professional
practice but our personal paradigms as well. A veteran clinical counselor
focusing on workplace issues, Ms. Hunter has helped such major institutions
as Microsoft and
Harvard University manage the human
side of change. In this pre- conference, she will provide hands-on guidance
to librarians, managers and directors as they seek to understand this process.
8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon, Tuesday, April 8. Contact: Deinna Mims-Johnson (713)
635-8103, fax: (713) 661-9963.
From Save Haven to Vital Resource: One Man 's Library Journey
With his acclaimed anthology, Brotherman: The Odyssey of Black Men in
America (Ballantine), editor Herb Boyd gave voice to the past and present
experiences of African-American men in America. Join Herb for breakfast as
he recounts his own journey through the Black experience and the pivotal
role of libraries in that journey, as safe havens of his youth and as an
indispensable resource in his current career. Co-sponsored by
Ballantine Publishing. 8:00
a.m.-9:50 a.m., Wednesday, April 9. Contact: Lucile Dade (TLABC chair-elect)
(972) 466-4811.
Achieving Diversity Through Recruitment and Retention
Ensuring that a library's staff reflects the diversity of the community it
serves is a continuing challenge. Panelists from the public, private and
non-profit sectors will address trends in minority recruitment and retention.
Participants will learn effective strategies for ensuring diversity among
both applicants and current employees. Members of the panel will include
such luminaries as Ketty Rodriguez, assistant professor,
Texas Woman's University School of Library
and Information Studies and Chair, TLA Library Services for the Spanish Speaking
Round Table; Mary Suhm, assistant city manager,
City of Dallas;
and Michelle Thomas, community investment coordinator,
NationsBank. 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.,
Friday, April 11. Contact: Gleniece Robinson (214) 670-7809.
Homeless Musician to Present Free Concert
Series
for Black History Month at DPL
Gregg Morris, a homeless man who has played the baby grand piano for the last three months in the lobby of the Dallas Public Library, will present his first concert series as a tribute to Black History Month. The series, "Black Music: From Africa to America," will be presented at noon every Wednesday in the library lobby.
Morris studied music at Wiley College in Marshall but his specialty had been the bass guitar, not piano. "I taught myself to play the piano by looking at those books up on the fourth floor," said Morris, referring to the Fine Arts Division of the library.
The Central Library has offered piano music weekdays in the lobby for approximately nine months as a pilot program. Mr. Morris is the first participant in the program who is not a member of the library staff.
TLA members -- and the general public -- are invited to the first-ever benefit for the Elizabeth Crabb Legislative Fund, to be held Monday, April 7, 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Fort Worth. For a donation of as little as $5 per person, participants will be treated to songs, stories, and surprises.
Among the special guests will be Elizabeth's children, Rupert and Beth, and their families. Rupert, who is a musician and singer himself, will provide a part of the entertainment and will be joined by dona weisman & Associates: author Glen Alyn, seminar presenter Sharon Carr, award-winning guitar & banjo player Mike Cruciger, children's entertainers Ken-n-Jim, Storytelling Minstrel Tom McDermott, Storyteller Toni Simmons and author/singer/songwriter Willy Welch.
A free performance or seminar by one of the participating presenters will be awarded during the evening, and other door prizes will be awarded throughout the event. To qualify for the free performance, submit the registration form no later than March 31. Photocopies of form are okay, but YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
In keeping with the theme of supporting pro-library legislation, a TLA representative will report on the status of library legislation since Legislative Day. The event will be hosted by dona weisman and Margaret Nichols, sponsored by the Texas Library Association, and produced by dona weisman & Associates.
How 's Your Safety Net?
TLA Liability Insurance Can Help
Has anyone ever slipped and fallen on the front sidewalk of the library? Has a disgruntled employee ever filed a lawsuit against your library? Let's hope these disasters never happen to your library. But if they ever do, you would want to be covered by a strong liability insurance program.
As a member of TLA, you have the option of purchasing a low-cost, comprehensive liability policy from John A. Barclay Agency. Librarians faced with personal injury, malpractice claims, employee lawsuits, or other such catastrophes often go looking for coverage after the fact. By that time, unfortunately, it's too late.
For $25 per year, this policy can minimize your personal financial exposure. Call TLA today to find out more about this simple, economical way to build your library's safety net.
Would you be interested?
TLA is considering offering to members Board and Director liability insurance
for non-profit associations. If you think your organization might be interested,
please call Pat Smith, TLA Executive Director, at 512/328-1518 or 800/580-2852.
Rewarding Students Who Get Library Cards
Over 1,700 Dallas Public Schools students who signed up for a Dallas Public Library card during a special "Best Gift" holiday campaign received a free apple and a chance to register for an array of prizes at any Dallas Public Library location. Schools with the highest percentage of registrations will win special free programming from the library.
The campaign, managed cooperatively by Dallas Public Library and the Dallas Public Schools, began early in December when students, teachers, and administrators received applications. When the completed applications were brought to any Dallas Public Library outlet, a coupon good for a free apple at any Minyard, Sack 'n Save, or Carnival Food Store was presented.
Also, those who registered for a library card were eligible to participate in a drawing for free admissions to the Dallas Zoo or Science Place, tickets to KidFilm, or free merchandise from the Atomic Age Store in Dallas. "The best gift you can give your child, or yourself for that matter, is a library card," commented Dallas Public Schools Library Administrator Linda Garrett.
Eager for a place to send your discarded library materials? The American Juvenile Collection at the Palmer School of Library and Information Science at C.W. Post University on Long Island would love to receive fiction and folklore published in the U.S. from 1910 to 1960. You can send discards in these categories to: AJC Palmer School of Library and Information Science C.W. Post Campus 720 Northern Blvd. Brookville, NY 11548-1300.
School Library Standards Receive Warm
Response
from SBOE Committee
School library standards prepared by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in consultation with school librarians and administrators across the state received an enthusiastic reception by members of the Instruction Committee of the State Board of Education (SBOE).
Dr. Robert S. Martin, director of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, presented the standards to the Instruction Committee at its February 6 meeting in Austin. Dr. Martin praised the hard work of members of the State Library's Advisory Committee and the TLA Committee on School Standards. Jeanette Larson, manager of continuing education at the Texas State Library, described the lengthy process of public hearings held across the state during 1996.
"Our basic goal in developing these guidelines has been to help students gain the knowledge and abilities they will need to live productively in the twenty-first century," Ms. Larson told the committee.
Following these presentations, committee members expressed great enthusiasm about the standards. Commissioner Geraldine Miller asked Dr. Martin to provide the committee with copies of studies that have correlated school achievement with the presence of a strong school library.
Commissioner Miller also asked if the standards could be somehow integrated into existing school academic evaluation standards. Commissioner Donna Ballard ended the meeting by offering the strong endorsement of the Instruction Committee and promising to take that endorsement to the full State Board of Education.
Laura Bush Dedicates Corpus Christi Library Network
First Lady of Texas Laura Bush led ceremonies dedicating the new Library Information Network of Corpus Christi (LINCC) at the Corpus Christi Public Library on February 14. LINCC is an ambitious city-wide project that connects public, school, and academic libraries in a network for sharing resources and expertise.
The network allows business people, professionals, students, and residents to access library catalogs and other information. Any resident with a computer and a modem will be able to dial into the system.
Corpus Christi Library Director Herbert Canales coordinated the drive to build a coalition of government, corporate, foundation, and individual donors to fund the project. The project also takes advantage of favorable telecommunications rates, offered under the provisions of HB 2128 passed in 1995, to offer high speed connections. Project sponsors were honored at the dedication.
LINCC participants include the Corpus Christi Public Libraries, Corpus Christi ISD, West Oso ISD, Callalen ISD, Flour Bluff ISD, Tuloso-Midway ISD, and the Corpus Christi Academy.
Digital Imaging Topic of TLA Preconference
Steve Smith, field services officer for the AMIGOS Bibliographic Council, will present "Digital Imaging: The Nuts and Bolts of Bitmaps and Bytes," a preconference at the TLA Annual Conference in Fort Worth, to be held 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, April 8.
The four-hour program is designed to introduce participants to the tools needed to make informed decisions about undertaking digital scanning projects. Mr. Smith will address the critical issues faced by institutions considering digital scanning projects.
The program is sponsored by the Media and Related Technologies Round Table, (also known as MRT2). Media and Related Technologies is also planning two other programs for the TLA conference.
On Wednesday, April 9, at 12:00 noon, Brandon Barnes, director of the KERA/KDTN Education Resource Center, will present "Harnessing the Power of Instructional Television." Mr. Barnes will offer an insider's perspective on instructional television in the school setting and will offer an overview of ITV resources and how to access them.
On Thursday, April 10 at 2 p.m., bestselling author Jane Roberts Wood and writer/performer C.J. Critt will tell the story behind the creation of an audiobook. Attendees will learn how books are selected for recording, how narrators are matched with books, and how the relationship between author and narrator develops.
For more information on these programs, contact Fern Perry at (972) 205-2503.
Literacy Committee Presents Tom Harken
The Literacy Committee of the Public Libraries Division will present "If I Can Win, We Can Win: The War Against Illiteracy Rages On," featuring speaker Tom Harken. Mr. Harken will describe how, with the help of his wife, he overcame illiteracy and rose to rise to become CEO of Casa Ole restaurants. The program will be presented Wednesday, April 9 at 9 a.m. during the TLA Annual Conference in Fort Worth.
The Dobie Committee has announced that the following libraries will be 1997 Dobie Award recipients:
Coldspring Area Public Library
Hondo Public Library
Lumberton Public Library
Poteet Public Library
Utopia Memorial Library
Westbank Community Library (Austin)
Touring the DAZZLING World of TLA Exhibits
One of the high points of any professional conference is a tour of the exhibit hall, and the exhibits at this year's TLA Annual Conference promise to the most exciting ever.
Exhibitors will pour into the East and West Exhibit Halls of Fort Worth/Tarrant County Convention Center on April 7 and 8, creating over 700 booth displays for every imaginable good and service of interest to libraries. When the exhibit hall doors open at 9 a.m. on April 9, attendees will discover a colorful, fascinating, and seemingly limitless world of resources to enrich their collections, automate their operations, enhance their facilities, and publicize their services.
The Texas Library Association exhibits represent the third-largest library trade show in the U.S. More vendors exhibit at TLA than at the American Library Association Midwinter meeting. Touring the TLA conference exhibits is a convenient and economical way for librarians to "one-stop-shop" all of their needs. Rather than rely on catalog pictures of merchandise, librarians can search databases, sit in library furniture, leaf through books, and test-drive automation systems. The quality, dependability, and actual appearance of goods can be evaluated firsthand. Sales reps will be on hand to answer questions and to help buyers evaluate the quality of service that backs up a particular product. Most of all, because of the huge number of vendors present, librarians can compare items and prices so they know they are getting the best quality and price available.
Dozens of publishers will display and sell books, CD-ROMs, electronic databases, videos, sound recordings, and other materials for library collections. Furniture vendors will be displaying the latest in library furniture from entire circulation desks to ergonomic chairs. Still other exhibitors will be promoting a range of library-related products and services including supplies, publicity materials, programming and storytelling services, management consultation, and bookbinding.
Automation services are a central and highly visible presence in the exhibits. TLA Annual Conference is a key information industry trade show, featuring not only products by virtually every library automation system vendor, but also computer networking products, computer hardware and software, telecommunications services, Internet service providers, and a huge range of library materials in electronic format. Conference attendees have a unique opportunity to test these products firsthand and to explore state-of-the art technology systems and services.
Plan to attend the exhibits early and often during your stay at TLA. Leave plenty of time to browse every aisle, visit with vendors, meet colleagues, and become an informed buyer. And be sure to tell the vendors how much you appreciate their presence at the conference. Through booth rental fees, program sponsorship, and TLA membership, vendor support is important to the success of the Association. See you in the exhibit hall!
TPALS -- the Texas Professional Association for Library Sales -- is an organization within TLA whose membership is comprised mainly of vendors who serve the library community and want to be involved in and supportive of the work of the Texas Library Association.
TPALS produces an annual directory of vendors of library-related goods and services and sponsors programs each year at the TLA annual conference. This year 's TPALS conference program, entitled "Vendor Relations: What You Don 't Know (But Need To)," will offer practical insights on making the buyer/seller relationship work. The program will be held Thursday, April 10, 2:00 p.m.-3:50 p.m. For more information, contact Lisa Winter, TPALS chair-elect, at 972/377-6021.
The following are library related bills currently filed in the 75th Legislative Session. TLA supports these bills and will keep you informed of their progress.
HB 98 (S. Turner) -- To restore the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund to levels set forth in HB 2128. The companion bill, SB 249 by Sibley, has passed the Senate.
HB 237 (Goolsby) and HB 486 (Swinford) -- Creating an offense for the failure to return long overdue library materials.
HB 997 (Hunter) -- To allow the State Library to coordinate a study of statewide library resource sharing and negotiate purchase of database access for every publicly funded library school, public, and academic library in the state.
HB 1139 (Maxey) -- To require that at least two members of the TIF Board be public librarians and to reinforce statutory language in TIF regarding libraries.
To search for the text, history, etc. of any bill, click here.
Appointments/Changes:
Susan Beck, previously of the Del Mar
College Library in Corpus Christi, is now Coordinator of Information
Instruction at New Mexico State University
in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Patricia Davis has been named Library Systems Administrator in the Library Development Division of the Texas State Library. Previously, Ms. Davis served as continuing education consultant at the Texas State Library.
Peggy Bradley has retired as director of the Howe Community Library, a combined school-public library in the Northeast Texas Library System.
The University of Texas at Austin General Libraries has appointed Eric C. Novotny as reference librarian and subject bibliographer for History, American Studies, and Australian Studies.
Death:
Gary Meadors, cataloging librarian in the Cataloging Department at the University
of Texas at Austin General Libraries, died on December 13, 1996. Mr. Meadors
had been with the General Libraries staff since 1988.
