Volume 25, No. 1 - MARCH 2006
 Published by the Texas Library Association
The Powerhouse Conference of 2006


Julie Andrews, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ralph Russell, Marlee Matlin, Rhea Perlman, Maria Hinojosa, Anthony Reese, Arnold Garcia, Stephen Harrigan, the second Conference on School Libraries, Lawyers for Libraries, and Kinky Friedman are just the tip of the proverbial TLA conference iceberg. Conference planners have raised the bar for conference as never before. Featuring content-rich programs for every time slot at TLA, the 2006 conference combines the best of TLA’s tradition of excellence along with innovative programming designed to address today’s most pressing issues.

Libraries: Igniting the Passion will be held in Houston, April 25-28. By now, you should have received your printed conference program by mail. Remember, you’ll want to save your mailed program as TLA will no longer print an onsite conference program. You will receive a convenient mini-pocket guide that will have program titles, times, room numbers, and a list of exhibiting companies and booth numbers. The pocket guide is designed to fit into your badge holder to help minimize the amount of material you need to carry from session to session.

For the latest news, log onto the TLA conference blog at http://lac06.blogspot.com/. This friendly and informative service is brought to you by your Conference Information Committee chairs, Klarion K. Tang and Janice M. Newsum, and the Local Arrangements Committee. Find out about shows, events, parking, and other activities around conference.
 		   Meal tickets now sold separately! For the first time, TLA is allowing individuals to purchase tickets for meal functions without having to register for conference. Tickets for this year must have been purchased through the preregistration process (no tickets are sold onsite). TLA will continue this option next year!
 


  Conference

  Also in this Issue

The Value of Attending
a TLA Conference

By Kathy Pustejovsky,
TLA Conference Manager

 With all the new technology available to us, it is easier than ever to be connected with friends, family, and colleagues via email, blogs, and websites. You can even earn a degree online or perhaps view a virtual presentation. So, why GO to a conference? Granted, the speakers, authors, presentations, CE opportunities, and the exhibits hall offerings are all beneficial, but the TLA conference isn't just about these aspects. It's also about the breaks between sessions, the dinners, and the meetings at the hotel bar after the conference day ends. It's about meeting new people you wouldn't have met otherwise and networking with colleagues who share the same frustrations and joys you experience in the library profession. It's about the random opportunities you can get just from sitting at a banquet table with nine other people and general discussions that lead to a solution to a problem you've been battling.

 The TLA Conference is about connecting with people -- often persons who are experts in the industry -- and taking home new ideas you can incorporate into your job or your everyday life. It's about learning new perspectives and personalizing them to fit your own situation. Even during the most casual conversations, you're still making a personal connection with other professionals in your field. Then, of course, there's the chance to build personal relationships with the vendors by visiting with them in the exhibit hall. Seeing a demonstration or product up close and personal beats flipping through a catalog any day!

 So, register now to attend the 2006 TLA Conference in Houston, April 25 - 28!

 
 

Now on to the show…
 A Sample of Conference Activities & Programs

Four-time Emmy Award-winner Rhea Perlman is best known for playing the streetwise Carla in the TV sitcom Cheers. She and authors K.L Cook (The Girl from Charnelle) and Mark Gimenez (The Color of Law) will serve up an eclectic mix of literature at LiFTA’s opening all-conference luncheon, Wednesday, April 26 at noon. Remember, you can still buy a ticket (or tickets) even if you have already registered. You need only amend your preregistration.

 Also, since TLA is now allowing individuals to purchase meal function tickets if they are not registered for conference, this is your chance to bring along a friend to some of TLA’s conference breakfasts or lunches. Tickets must be purchased through the preregistration process. No tickets will be sold onsite.

Lawyers for Libraries Texas Training Institute is the Texas version of the renowned ALA program that teaches teams of attorneys, librarians, and library trustees to protect the First Amendment freedom to read. Learn more about the application of constitutional law to library issues. Librarians are welcomed, but they must be accompanied by an attorney. Attorneys will receive CLE credit. You must register for this preconference.

Stephen Harrigan, author of The Gates of the Alamo, introduces his latest novel, Challenger Park, an extraordinary story of today’s astronauts, those who train them, and the unimaginable joy and terror of going into space. Lift Off with Stephen Harrigan will be held on Friday, April 28 at 9 am.

Power through the Press will teach you how to get newspaper coverage for your library. Arnold Garcia, Jr., managing editor of the editorial page for the Austin American-Statesman, will show you how to prepare for an editorial board visit and will conduct a mock editorial board visit with TLA staff. The program will be held on Friday, April 28 at 10 am. To date, TLA representatives have met with several newspaper editorial boards and garnered printed support for important TLA issues including increased funding for Texas libraries and excluding school librarians in the proposed 65% rule.

 The TLA Cultural Diversity Committee and DEMCO will once again sponsor the Diversity Fair at annual conference on April 26 and 27. Participants will have tabletop display presentations showing how they have utilized multicultural programming to serve their library community. Space is limited. Libraries interested in exhibiting should contact Diversity Fair Co-Chair Nancy Torres 281-488-1906 or Roy Krymis Co-Chair 817-626-0076 to reserve a table.

 The Book Cart Drill Team State Championship competition will be held Wednesday, April 26 at 5 pm. Be prepared for conference’s show-stopping event. Think lights, cameras, and … book carts. Yes, you haven’t seen true talent until you witness a group of librarians dancing in unison around a book cart. Enter now, win big. Be the rock star of the library world!  Rules and an application are on the website. Contact Karen Vargas (kvargas@library.tmc.edu) for more information.

Plan to attend " Digitization: Planning to Preservation" on Tuesday, April 25, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm for practical advice on managing digital projects from start to finish. Understand the issues in planning projects and explore best practices for scanning, metadata, and preservation. Preregistration for this TLA preconference is required.

Program update: The new facilitator for “Joint Use Libraries: Agony & Ecstasy” (April 26, 10:15 am) will be Wendy Schneider, co-director (public) of the Tomball College and Community Library.

The annual TPALS golf event will be held Tuesday afternoon.  This event is open to everyone. All attendees, their guests, vendors -- everyone can join in the fun! Beginner or avid golfers will all have a great time playing the 4-person scramble format.  The event starts at 1:45 PM and will be over around 6:00 PM. Vendors, this is the last day of set up so you can finish your booth in the morning and play golf in the afternoon.

An application (PDF) is on the website. For any additional information please contact the tournament coordinator Jay Blint at jblint@bwibooks.com or 800-888-448 ext 303.

Exhibits Galore!

No TLA conference is ever complete without visiting the exhibit hall. From buying the latest books to viewing the latest technologies, from trying out library furniture to finding the right service provider for your library, the TLA Exhibit Hall gives you the chance to shop, compare, price, and purchase. You get the opportunity to meet with company representatives, ask questions, and become a savvier library consumer. And, don’t miss Rush Hour at the exhibit hall on Wednesday, April 26 from 4 to 5 pm. You’ll find special promotions and refreshments!

Visit the conference site for a list of authors who will be  signing in the exhibit hall and presenting programs at TLA 2006.

TLA Conference Stipends and Awards

  • The Scholarship & Research Committee is pleased to announce a new scholarship established in memory of Vivian Greenfield. This stipend is to provide funding for an educational or research endeavor to further work with youth and is aimed at librarians currently working with youth in a school or public library. Examples of how this award may be used include: professional development activities, such as taking a course or attending a conference; implementing a new idea or program in the workplace; or performing a research study.
  • The TLA Black Caucus Scholarships are two (2) grants of $200 each to be awarded to African American students enrolled as full-time or part-time students at a university and pursing a MLS/MLIS or certification requirement in library information services. The grant is designated for registration fees to attend the 2006 Texas Library Association Conference in Houston, Texas. Applicants are judged on essays of 250 words describing how the applicant will benefit from attending the library conference. For application and guidelines send request to robertson@amigos.org.
  • Nominations are open to current members of SCLRT who serve in a community of less than 25,000 population for the outstanding small community librarian of the year. Anyone can nominate a librarian for this award including other librarians/library staff, friends of the library members, library board members, community leaders, and/or satisfied patrons. All entries must be received on or before March 10. Contact Tina Hager at thager@littleelm.org or call 214-975-0435.

N  E  W  S

Education, School Finance, and 65% Rule

Education and tax reform remain at the forefront of political discussions. Now that the State Supreme Court has ordered the State to overhaul the financial system for public schools, the Legislature is expected to reconvene for a third special session before June 1, 2006.  Governor Perry has indicated that the Legislature may, in fact, be called upon to focus only on revamping the way Texas pays for public school; education reform may or may not be part of the broad agenda.

 Despite this uncertainly, the state’s leadership remains at work on education reform. The Senate has created a new select committee to continue reviewing both education and taxing issues. The Senate Select Committee on Education and Taxing Reform chaired by Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) has begun meeting every two weeks and expect to continue this work through March. The Governor also assembled a commission last summer (led by former State Comptroller John Sharp) to look at taxing matters.

 Meanwhile, Commissioner of Education Shirley Neeley is still working on drafting a rule concerning the “65% rule.” As you may recall, last summer, Governor Perry issued an executive order requiring that a rule be drafted requiring school districts to direct 65% of expenditures on direct classroom instructional activities (such as defined by the National Center for Education Statistics, or NCES). The NCES definition of “direct instructional activities” does not include school library programs. The Commissioner’s office has indicated that a draft rule will likely be posted in March.

 65% Rule Update

Since last fall, TLA has been working to bring media attention to the plight of school libraries.  As a result of TLA and ALA efforts, the Dallas Morning News, the San Antonio Express, and the Houston Chronicle all featured editorials or guest editorials on the need for state decision leaders to include school library programs in the definition of eligible direct instructional expenditures. TLA is continuing to work with other media outlets to help decision makers understand what is at stake and to inform the public of the dangers of excluding school library programs from the “65% rule.”

Whenever a draft rule is posted, the public will have 30 days to comment on the rule. Following the posting period, TEA may hold a public hearing on the proposed rule. All library supporters are urged to be a part of this process. In the meantime, we continue to ask that you contact Commissioner Neeley and the Governor’s Office to make them aware of the need to include school library programs as part of the definition of instructional costs.

What You Can Do

1) Contact the commissioner of education and the Governor and let them know that school library programs should be included in the definition of instructional expenditures. Remember, our message is: Librarians are teachers; libraries are classrooms.

Additional information, including talking points and resources, are on the Government Affairs site.

Texas State Library and Archives Commission and Sunset

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) will undergo a legislative Sunset Review in 2007. The agency has completed its Self Evaluation Report, which was submitted to the Sunset Commission. You can view the report at the State Library’s Sunset Review site (http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/agency/sunset/).

The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission has given November 13 and 14, 2006 as the tentative dates for the State Library’s Sunset Review hearing. As part of the Sunset Review process, agencies, their clients and interest groups, and the Legislature identify ways in which the agency’s missions and programs can be refined to better meet the needs of the citizens of Texas.

As a major agency stakeholder, TLA will participate in this process and invites its members to provide feedback on the agency and its functions. TLA will use public comments to help shape the association’s responses to the public Sunset process.  A feedback form is on the TLA Web.  Additionally, you can find information about the Sunset process, including a timeline and information on how you or a group of stakeholders can participate in the process.

The Association


Bluebonnet Award Goes to the Dogs
 By Betty Carter

During the month of January, almost 150,000 children in grades three, four, five, and six, cast their votes for their favorite book in the Texas Bluebonnet Reading Program.  Over 16,000 children selected Seadogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta, composed by Lisa Wheeler and staged by Mark Siegel, as their favorite book from among a pool of twenty titles.  Wheeler and Siegel will receive the award on April 27 at the Texas Library Association’s convention in Houston, Texas.

This doggone thrilling adventure is fashioned after the productions of Gilbert and Sullivan (known as Growlbert and Sullibone in this pun-filled account). Wordless comic book panels set the stage in an Edwardian theater and then present the swashbuckling tail – er, tale – of Seadog, an old salt who prepares for one last sail, and recruits a comely and brave beagle, and her true love, a loyal and apparently fearful dachshund, to join him. Poems, many of which can be performed by a howling chorus, introduce each character and main event, while the comic canines embellish the action.

Over 2000 libraries across Texas support the Texas Bluebonnet Program.  Every year, librarians highlight 20 books selected to promote pleasure reading among readers ranging from eight to 12 years old.  Children who have read, or heard read, five of the 20 books vote for their favorite book.  Each year, the author with the most votes wins the Bluebonnet Award.  This year Lisa Wheeler and Mark Siegel will share the award, in recognition of their intertwining narratives.  Ten children selected from around the state will present the 2006 award.

Books in second, third, fourth, and fifth place respectively are: Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins; The Boy on Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher; Christopher Mouse: The Tale of a Small Traveler by William Wise and illustrated by Patrick Benson; and Hummingbird Nest by Kristine O’Connell George and illustrated by Barry Moser.

 		 


TLA Elections

TLA elections for Executive Board candidates and officers in nine units participating in online balloting are now underway.  Be sure to cast your vote (either by voting online or mailing your printed ballot) by March 29, 2006.

TLA Strategic Plan

TLA needs your input! The Association will begin revising its Strategic Plan and will have a draft posted on the TLA website by late March. Please review the document so that you and those in your units can discuss the plan at conference. You can submit comments through your unit executive board liaisons, or you can send feedback directly to pats@txla.org.
                TLA Relief Efforts

The TLA Disaster Relief Fund has collected a total of $20,834. Ten thousand dollars of this amount comes from the starting corpus of the fund this year. Since TLA began its campaign last September to raise funds for storm-affected libraries, $2,344 was raised for Texas libraries. That amount increased by another $4,245 in charitable donations resulting from TLA President Gretchen McCord Hoffmann’s campaign to raise funds. As promised by TLA, the association will match this amount dollar for dollar. The result is a fund that will be able to provide important assistance to libraries.  Thank you, library supporters!

Funds are now available to assist Texas libraries who have been affected by Hurricane Rita or any other event that has disrupted library services.  So far, only one request has been received by a Texas library for funding, but we know more out there could use assistance. 

 

 

 

 


Take a Chance on Art!
. . . and support the Disaster Relief Fund. Brian Floca donated the original illustration that will be raffled at TLA 2006. Visit the Itsy Bitsy Gallery for details.

There is a simple two step process to apply for funds.  First, contact Jill Zimmerman, Chair of the Disaster Relief Committee, at jzimmerman@mail.accd.edu or (210) 531-3380 and let her know what is happening in your library.  Second, fill out a Request for Financial Support form, available on the TLA website through the Disaster Relief webpage.  Simply print off the form, fill it out, and mail or fax it to the TLA Office.  Pictures from Hurricane Rita’s effects on Texas libraries are also being sought.

Wanner to Join TLA

Ted Wanner has accepted the new position of continuing education specialist for the Texas Library Association. Wanner will begin his work for TLA next month. He is currently a continuing education consultant with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, where he has worked since 2003.  Wanner previously managed continuing education programs for the Dallas Public Library and worked in training matters at the General Libraries at The University of Texas at Austin. He has worked in numerous other libraries and holds an MLIS from The University of Texas.

Wanner will work with the TLA membership to ascertain ongoing needs in statewide library continuing education programs for all types of libraries. He will work with all stakeholders to help provide new professional development opportunities for all levels.  TLA’s CE program will provide learning opportunities in a variety of formats.

Call for Formation of a TLA
Distance Learning Interest Group

With the rapid growth in distance learning throughout the country, there is an increasing need within the state for a group that focuses on the needs and requirements of this learning community.  In an effort to address that need, I hope, with your help, to form an interest group within TLA.  Certainly, this group would work closely with groups and round tables already in existence — Library Instruction, Reference, Automation & Technology, Digital Libraries, College and University Libraries, ILL, SMART, E-SMART, Acquisitions and Collection Development, the Continuing Education and Development Committee, and so on.  But distance learning is enough of an interest area, on its own, to merit the formation of a distinct group.

I encourage your support of this effort by either signing the petition for formation of an interest group (available as a PDF file) or e-mailing me directly of your interest and support.  I must obtain at least 60 “signatures” from 2006 TLA members in good standing in order for us to form a Distance Learning Interest Group.  If you e-mail me directly, please include your TLA member number in your post.  We must then have at least 50 interested members every year for 3 years before we can be considered for round table status.  My hope is to schedule a meeting during Annual Assembly 2006 for interested members to meet and talk about the formation of this interest group.  Thank you for your help!

Denise Landry-Hyde
Reference/Distributed Learning Librarian
Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

  Announcements

Woman’s Day Call for Stories

Woman’s Day magazine wants to learn how the library has changed lives. The magazine announced the editorial initiative in its March 7 issue. In the issue, the magazine declares that libraries are magical places and asks readers to submit their stories in 700 words or less. Stories can be sent to womansday@ala.org from now until May 10, 2006, when the promotion closes. Four of the submissions will be featured in an upcoming issue of Woman’s Day.

Librarians can promote the initiative in their library by downloading free promotional tools from the ALA @ your library ® website, www.ala.org/ala/pio/campaign/sponsorship/wdchangelives.htm. Tools include a sample press release, downloadable logos, sample newsletter copy and flyer.

Woman’s Day is a Founding Partner of The Campaign for Americas Libraries, the ALA’s multi-year public awareness and advocacy campaign to promote the value of libraries and librarians in the 21st century.

Garden Ridge Founders Help Fund Library

In a gesture of largesse never before seen in the City of Schertz, business leaders Eric and Carolyn White, founders of Garden Ridge Pottery, endowed the City of Schertz with $1 million to help build a new city library.

Community Services Director Gail Douglas was joined December 28 by City Librarian Melissa Uhlhorn, City Manager Don Taylor, and Mayor Hal Baldwin at C&W Properties (next door to Garden Ridge on IH-35) to accept the largest check Douglas has ever seen.

Love Award

The Singletary Memorial Library in Rusk, Texas is the winner of the James L. Love Award for 2006. The library is recognized for its continued effort to enhance the library’s mission by installing wireless access and by increasing the library hours from 30 to 40 hours per week. The Singletary Memorial Library plans to use the Love Award to purchase materials that will focus on developing their multicultural collection for adults.

Immerse in Instruction

Academic librarians, mark your calendars!  Immersion is coming to Texas.  The University of Houston and The University of Texas at Austin will be co-hosting the Association of College and Research Libraries' Institute for Information Literacy regional Immersion program at the University of Houston from July 14-19, 2006.   

This nationally acclaimed program provides librarians with the opportunity to work intensively for four-and-a-half days on all aspects of information literacy. Whether your institution is just beginning to think about implementing an information literacy component or whether you have a program well under way, the Immersion Program will provide you with the intellectual tools and practical techniques to help your institution build or enhance its instruction program.  Applications must be postmarked by March 22, 2006.  For more information and application materials, see www.lib.utexas.edu/immersion or contact Michele Ostrow at micheleo@austin.utexas.edu.

National Board Certification

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, an organization dedicated to raising the standard of teaching in America, offers a voluntary teacher advanced certification program. The Board offers continuing education to educators throughout the country and works with individuals to help score and evaluate tests and activities. While this activity offers teachers a chance to earn additional income, there is also the valued aspect of professional development and having the opportunity to observe a variety of teaching practices. 

The group is now reaching out to educators associated with library media. If you would like additional information, go to www.nbpts.org; call 1-800-22TEACH option 4; or email us at nbptsassessor@ets.org.

G R A N T S

Grant Blog Online!

The new Library Grants Blog, by librarians Pam MacKellar and Stephanie Gerding, provides a free resource for finding library grant and award opportunities. This blog provided a broad online location where librarians can find the latest grants from all types of sources - government, foundations, corporations, organizations, and professional associations - as well as additional opportunities for awards and internships. Visit the Library Grants Blog at http://www.librarygrants.blogspot.com/ for a complete listing of grant opportunities.

Citigroup Foundation

The Citigroup Foundation supports nonprofit organizations by making grants focusing on the following three main areas: financial education, with emphasis on programs for families and young people; educating the next generation, with emphasis on improving educational opportunities in low-income communities; and building communities and entrepreneurs, with emphasis on the revitalization of low-income communities. Applications are accepted at any time during the calendar year; however, early submission is encouraged. For application guidelines, visit www.citigroup.com/citigroup/corporate/foundation/index.htm.

Staples Foundation

The Staples Foundation for Learning announces funds to support programs that provide job skills or education for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. For additional information, go to www.staplesfoundation.org/.  

2006 Giant Step Award 

The Thomson Gale and School Library Journal’s Giant Step Award recognizes school and public libraries that have made significant improvement or created newprograms that impact student learning and development. For full details, go to www.grantstation.com/grantstation/index.asp#seventeen.  

Young Heroes Awards

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, founded by young adult author T.A. Barron, seeks nominations for its 2006 awards. The Barron Prize honors young people ages eight to 18 who have shown leadership and courage in public service to people and our planet. Each year, 10 national winners each receive $2,000 to support their service work or higher education. The nomination deadline is April 30. For more information and to nominate -- as well as to request or download free heroes educational materials -- visit www.barronprize.org/.

HP Technology for Community Grants Open

This grant provides technology tools to nonprofit organizations to enhance their effectiveness and to support the innovative use of mobile technology. During 2006, HP will award up to 100 nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico with an HP wireless technology package valued at approximately $17,000. Applicants must be qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations in the U.S. or Puerto Rico and operate programs in one or more of the following areas: health and human services, workforce development, environment, arts and technology, or community/economic development. For additional information, go to www.hp.com/go/hpcommunity.

ALA News

 Loriene Roy, Candidate for ALA President

TLA congratulates Loriene Roy, a professor in the School of Information at The University of Texas at Austin, who is running for ALA president (2007-2008). Loriene received a PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MLS from the University of Arizona. She co-edited Library and Information Studies Education in the United States (London, Mansell, 1998) and Getting Libraries the Credit They Deserve: A Festschrift in Honor of Marvin H. Scilken (Lanham, MD, Scarecrow, 2003) and has published over 100 articles, chapters, documents, and short stories. She has given over 250 formal presentations in the United States and internationally.

She currently serves on the advisory boards or steering committees for the International Children's Digital Library, WebJunction, the Sequoyah Research Center, the Joint Conference for Librarians of Color 2006, and El Día de Los Niños/El Día de Los Libros. She is the director and founder of "If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything," a national reading club for Native American children. She is principal investigator for Honoring Generations, a scholarship program for Native students specializing in tribal librarianship, funded through the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. She is currently a Councilor-at-Large for the American Library Association and has served on ALA committees and ALA division committees for the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Public Library Association (PLA), and Reference and User Services Association (RUSA).

Her platform includes:

  • free access to libraries for all library patrons;

  • free expression of thought and protection of privacy;

  • equitable salaries and benefits for library workers;

  • recruitment and retention of new talent into schools of library and information science;

  • promotion of library work and workers to the citizenry at large;

  • training and retooling of library workers to meet changing patron needs; and

  • including all peoples into the circle of knowledge through literacy.

To learn more about Loriene Roy, go to: http://lorieneroy.com/.

TLA Names in the News

  • Sharon T. Carr, administrator of library learning resources for the El Paso ISD, has been appointed to a six-year term on the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Carr replaces Elizabeth Sanders of Mabank, whose term has expired.

  • Lisa Charbonnet received the UT Student to Staff scholarship to attend the ALA Conference in New Orleans this summer.

  • Lucille Dade, formerly director of the Carrollton Public Libraries, has accepted the position as director at the DeSoto Public Library.

  • Cheri Gross has been selected director o the Carrollton Public Library.

  • Jan Kemp is working at Lamar University in Beaumont. 

  • Mary H. Musgrave retired as director of the DeSoto Public Library at the end of August 2005. 

  • Sandra Johnson Morrow, a librarian at Brentwood Christian School in Austin, was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Citation from Abiliene Christian University.

  • Derek Nájera of the School of Information Science at The University of Texas at Austin received a stipend to attend TLA’s conference in Houston.

  • Danielle Cunniff Plumer has joined the staff of the Texas State Library.

  • Sally Reynolds, former director of the Legislative Reference Service, have been named to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

 Deaths

  • Lee Brawner suffered an unexpected heart attack and died in Oklahoma City. 

  • Mila Brunner passed away on February 22, 2006 while in hospice care.

  • Ammarette Roberts, who worked as a special librarian for many years, passed away last November.

 

UNSPAM TLA!

Well, since you are reading our online newsletter, you are way ahead of the tech curve! Please share the following information with any colleagues who don’t seem to know what has happened to their copy of TLACast:

  • We need to have a current and correct email address for all TLA members. Otherwise, individuals won’t get any email notices of newsletters or announcements. You can update information in the Members Only section of the TLA website.
  • Once we have your email, please be sure that your network administrator “un-spams” TLA messages. Believe it or not, not all networks understand that TLA messages are not spam! That’s almost un-American (at least, un-Texan), but it happens! So please ­ – advocate to your colleagues: UNSPAM TLA. (Quite cleverly, we will also be including this message in print publications.)