Volume 26, No. 2 • MARCH 2007
 Published by the Texas Library Association
TLA Meets in San Antonio Next Month!

PLEASE NOTE:
Conference runs from
Wednesday through
Saturday this year!

The 94th Annual TLA Conference, Strong Libraries, Strong Communities, will feature over 230 programs and events that explore every aspect of library development. Some of our featured speakers this year include internationally renowned author Isabel Allende, ABC’s 20/20 correspondent Lynn Sherr, school specialist Stephen Krashen, Unshelved comic strip creators Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, advertising legend Tim McClure, educational expert Hall Davidson, and library instruction guru Randy Hensley.

The preregistration deadline
is Friday, March 23,
so hurry! For registration information, go to: http://www.txla.org/conference/conf.html.

 

   TLA 2007
    Legislative News
   TLA News
   TALL Texans
   Grants
   Announcements
   Names in the News

TLA 2007

DIAMOND
SPONSORS
Platinum Sponsor

Party on…

Bienvenidos a San Antonio at the 2007 Welcome Party. The San Antonio Museum of Art will serve as host and is home to the region’s finest display of Greek and Roman antiquities, Asian art, and European and American paintings. The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art houses the museum’s extensive collections of pre-Colombian art, Latin American folk art, Spanish Colonial art, and contemporary Latin American art.

The President’s All-Conference Party will take place at the grotto area of the convention center. Just imagine a waterfall tumbling through a garden with bright stars lighting a perfect spring evening. Now picture yourself with your friends, drinking the fruits of a margarita machine, enjoying the music of Jazz, Blues, and Diamonds, and relaxing out in a perfect San Antonio evening.

In addition to the food, cash-bar drinks, and music, you’ll also be treated to a one-time gathering of the Men of Texas Libraries – yes, those brave and stalwart souls who donated their time (and bodies) by posing for the calendar being sold to raise funds for the TLA Disaster Relief Fund. Be sure to bring some extra $5 bills so that you can have keepsake photos taken with all your favorite TLA models. These funds will help further beef up (so to speak) the TLA Disaster Relief Fund. So, come feet the models, have a few photos taken, drink some margaritas, and enjoy a true evening of San Antonio good times.

Conference Cafés

This year’s conference cafés will be featuring some special deals for attendees. From great breakfast tacos to healthy vegetarian offerings, the onsite conference concessions will offer attendees selection and value.

  • Gumdrop Café will feature a $10 meal deal on Thursday and Friday, 10:30 -2:30 pm. General concession hours are Thursday, 10:15 am to 5 pm; Friday, 9 am to 4 pm; and Saturday, 9 am to noon.
  • Davidson Titles Café will be open for breakfast everyday. Hours run from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm on Thursday and Friday and from 7:30 to 11:30 am on Saturday.

One Book, One Conference

In honor of keynote speaker Isabel Allende's participation in this conference, the Conference Program Committee has selected her Portrait in Sepia for this year's One Book, One Conference.  Join in a discussion of Isabel Allende's epic story that explores the lives, loves, struggles, and secrets of a family in 19th century revolutionary Chile.  Read the book and come ready to participate in the third TLA One Book, One Conference.  Coleen Grissom of Trinity University will lead the discussion.

Drill Team Contest

Is your team getting ready for TLA's second amazing DEMCO-sponsored Drill Team Competition to be held on Thursday, April 12 at 5 p.m.?   Registration details are included in the conference program.  TLA's winning team will again be invited to the national competition in Washington, D.C. at the American Library Association Annual Conference.

TPALS Golf Tournament

TPALS invites all conference attendees, family members and friends to join them in this great afternoon of golfing at the Southwyck Golf Club on Wednesday, April 11 at 1:00 pm. The registration form (http://www.txla.org/conference/forms/Golf.pdf) is now available.  Registration deadline is April. 

ALA Advocacy Institute

The American Library Association is cosponsoring “The ABC’s of Advocacy,” featuring FOLUSA Executive Director Sally Reed. This legislative guru covers strategies and tools for influencing decision makers. Participants will receive copies of ALA Advocacy Handbook. This program is part of ALA’s series of nationwide programs dealing with advocacy and libraries. (Thursday, April 12, 4-4:50 pm)

Authors Area

Don’t forget to make plans to get books signed by your favorite authors. For complete details on authors and signing schedules, see the information below.

Exhibits Extraordinaire!

You won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit with over 450 vendors in the TLA Exhibit Hall. This year, conference attendees can enjoy the exhibit hall during uncontested time from 1 pm to 2 pm on Thursday and Friday, and the Exhibit Hall Rush Hour will take place on Thursday from 4 pm to 5 pm.

Exhibit Hall Coupons

Some exhibitors will be making coupons available online two weeks before the start of conference. Library Journal (http://www.libraryjournal.com/tlacoupons) and School Library Journal (http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/tlacoupons and http://www.slj.com/tlacoupons) will have offers posted from these sites.

Conference Program Updates

Added Programs and Meetings

  • Resume Critiquers will now be available in the Placement Center from 11-12:30 and 3-5 pm on Thursday, April 12; 9:30-12 pm and 2-3 pm on Friday, April 13; and 9:30-10:30 am on Saturday, April 14
  • Scholarship and Research Committee Meeting, Wednesday, April 11, 1-3 pm at San Antonio Public Library
  • Texas A&M University Library Systems Directors Meeting, Wednesday, April 11, 1-4 pm
  • Children’s Round Table Texas Reading Club Meeting, Wednesday, April 11, 4-5:50 pm

  • Disaster Relief Committee Meeting, Thursday, April 12, 10:15-11:50 am

  • TPALS Round Table Business Meeting, Thursday, April 12, 12-1 pm

  • District Planning Committee Meeting, Thursday, April 12, 2-3:50 pm

  • The Small Communities Round Table program “Collecting and Preserving Photographs” has been canceled. The RT will instead have a business meeting and a 30-minute presentation by Biblionix, Thursday, April 12, 2-3:50 pm.
  • Children’s Round Table Family Literacy Committee, Thursday, April 12, 4-4:50 pm
  • Black Caucus Round Table Business Meeting, Friday, April 13, 8-9:50 am
  • Children’s Round Table Executive Board Meeting, Friday, April 13, 8-9:50 am
  • Leadership Development Committee Meeting, Friday, April 13, 8-9:50 am
  • Advanced Leadership Institute Task Force Meeting, Friday, April 13, 10-11:50 am
  • Children’s Round Table Dia Committee, Friday, April 13, 2-3:50 pm
  • Reference Round Table Executive Board Meeting, Friday, April 13, 2-3:50 pm
  • Changes to Published Programs
  • The Texas Media Awards will be held in the convention center room 103B not in the Marriott, Thursday, April 12, 6:30 pm.
  • The Storytelling Concert will be held in the convention center, room 103A (street level) not in the Marriott, Thursday, April 12, 8 pm.
  • The Texas Bluebonnet Award Program and Selection Committees Joint Meeting will now take place from 1-1:50 pm (not 10-11:50 am) on Saturday, April 14.
  • Canceled Programs
  • LibraryInsight scheduled, Thursday, April 12, 3 pm in Technology Showcase I
  • Tocker Foundation Committee Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, 2-3:20 pm
  • “Collecting and Preserving Photographs,” Thursday, April 12, 2-3:50 pm
  • “Tellin’ Tales at School,” scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 11-11:50 am

Legislative News

Session Update

The 80th Legislature is in full swing. State budgeters have already made recommendations on agency budget requests and will soon consider additional funding requests and riders.

Direct Aid for Public Libraries (Loan Star Libraries)

The House Appropriations voted on recommendations from the General Government Subcommittee regarding the State Library budget. While the Committee approved the reinstatement of the 10% cut required of all agencies last fall, it did not approve any increased funding for Loan Star Libraries, the direct aid program for public libraries. The Senate Finance Committee did approve a $2 million increase for direct aid grants to libraries. The budget Conference Committee (made up of members of both the House and Senate) will have to take up again the matter of the direct aid program later in the session to determine which recommendation (the House or Senate) will ultimately be approved.

K-12 Databases and TexShare

Rep. Dan Branch and Sen. Judith Zaffirini are sponsoring riders (proposed additions to state agency budgets) to try to secure $2.5 million a year for K-12 database access and $500,000 a year for an increase in TexShare. Since 2003, when the Texas Library Connection was eliminated at the Texas Education Agency, there has been no statewide funding for school library databases. And, the TexShare program is now funded at approximately half of its 2003 level.

The House Appropriations Committee and the State Finance Committee are in the process of making decisions on these measures.  For additional information and talking points, go to http://www.txla.org/html/govt_aff.html and see 80th Legislative Issues. To get the latest state legislative information emailed to you, email gloriam@txla.org and asked to be subscribed to Texline. Past issues of Texline are available at http://www.txla.org/pubs/texline/index.html.

Legislative Day

TLA held it biennial Legislative Day on February 5-6, 2007 in Austin. This two-day event showcased library legislative issues, and over 200 library supporters from around the state participated.  All delegates were trained on the issues and then attended visits with legislators and their staffs at the Capitol.

This event concluded with a reception at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The reception was hosted by the Friends of Libraries and Archives of Texas and the Texas Library Association and featured gourmet cuisine. Best of all though, the reception provided an opportunity for attendees and legislators to view up close some of the historic treasures of Texas. Staff at the State Library provided a white-glove viewing of Travis’s letter from the Alamo and other extraordinary documents and historic flags. Mrs. Nadine Craddick provided opening comments for the event.

The Texas Library Association offers its deep thanks to the Friends of Libraries and Archives of Texas and the staff at the State Library for an incredible evening. We also extend our thanks to the State Library for hosting a wonderful hospitality room for visiting librarians.

Most of all, we express our gratitude to all of the volunteers, delegates, and delegate leaders who traveled to Austin to participate in this crucial event.

Grassroots Advocacy

Jasper Public Library’s Denise Milton continued beating the drums for Texas libraries when she returned home after Legislative Day. She wrote a letter addressed to all the state legislators from the region and asked library patrons to sign the letter.

Her letter describes the needs of Texas libraries and urges support from elected officials. Using talking points and research provided during Legislative Day, Milton made a compelling case for increased support for libraries.  She has mailed that letter to several state representatives and her senator. Great job, Denise!

“Read Across the Prairie”

Speaking of great work, Belinda Jacks, library media services facilitator for Grand Prairie ISD, coordinated a librarians’ day trip to the state Capitol on March 1. The group, which included some students, assembled in Austin to be recognized by legislators for their efforts in supporting Grand Prairie’s community of readers.

The House of Representatives celebrated the group’s “Read Across the Prairie” program with a congratulatory resolution. Great job, Belinda!

TLA Announcements

CE Update

Don’t Get the Book Thrown at You: Legal Issues for Libraries will examine library policies and procedures for meeting rooms and exhibit aces, material labels, youth access, and the overarching religious issues that often play a role in these situations. The workshop is intended to assist ary directors and policy-makers as they try to balance intellectual freedom, community standards, political realities, and the urgent need to avoid lawsus from either side of controversial decisions.

http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/ce.html or for more information on registering contact Naomi DiTullio at TSLAC at 512-936-2586, naomi.ditullio@tsl.state.tx.us.  

Save the date for these sessions

  • April 24 Decatur Public Library

  • April 27 El Paso Public Library

  • May 1 Farmers Branch Public Library

  • May 2 Tyler Public Library

  • May 3 Temple Public Library

  • May 10 Lubbock Public Library

  • May 11 Abilene Public Library

  • May 15 Corpus Christi Public Library

  • May 25 San Antonio Public Library


In addition to the Law for Librarians project, TLA will soon be sponsoring a series of brown-bag webinars (Internet-based workshops) on the hottest topics from the 2007 Conference, as well as a trio of self-paced online tutorials to help make planning Conference programs easier. TLA will also be following the TALL Texans Leadership Institute with other leadership initiatives for senior executives, veteran front-line librarians, board members, and the newest professionals in the field.

TBA Winner

With almost 170,000 youngsters from 1700 libraries voting, Joe Hayes, author of Ghost Fever/Mal de Fantasma, has won the Texas Bluebonnet Award for 2006-07.  Hayes received 23,580 votes. 

This win marks the first time that the author of a dual language book has been so recognized. The subject, however, of children in peril, so prominent in Ghost Fever/Mal de Fantasma, also appears in the two runners up:  The SOS File (with 20,529 votes) and The Lightning Thief (with 19,574 votes).  Clearly adventure, a little danger, and fantastic adventure appealed to readers this year.

Many more children read some books on the list and didn’t vote (voting requires that they read five books); but with these voting numbers, it’s documented that this program accounts for over 850,000 books read through the direct influence of Texas librarians.  That’s a record of which we all can be proud.

New IG Group Needs You

The newly-formed Distributed/E-Learning Interest Group currently has 43 members.  The group is very close to the magic number of 50—the number of members needed for three consecutive years in order to gain TLA round table status.  Please encourage colleagues and co-workers who are involved in any way with distributed (aka “distance”) and e-learning to join.  The group would like to represent your interests in our state library association! 

For additional information, contact Denise Hyde (Denise.Hyde@tamucc.edu). Supporters of the proposed interest group are working to collect the signatures of interested TLA members.

TALL Texans

 Class of 2007 and Program Updates

The Texas Accelerated Library Leaders Institute, better known as TALL Texans, will be looking forward to several changes this year, including an expanded online application system. Ted Wanner of the TLA staff is the new program coordinator

The TALL Texans Leadership Institute will be held this year from June 3-7, 2007, at Highland Lakes Camp near Spicewood, Texas. Along with a new location, this year’s program will also involve a streamlined curriculum. Topics covered during the four-day seminar will include leadership competencies, leader effectiveness, power and influence, risk behaviors, diagnosing sources of conflict and disagreement, negotiation and collaboration, effective teambuilding, organizational culture, appreciative inquiry, coaching, and mentoring.

Program Leaders

Facilitators Maureen Sullivan and Jack Siggins will be returning for their 13th year with the institute. Maureen Sullivan is an organizational development consultant whose practice focuses on the delivery of consulting and training services to libraries and other information organizations.  She is on the faculty of the annual ACRL/Harvard Leadership Institute and is a professor of practice in the new Ph.D./Managerial Leadership in the information professions program at the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Jack Siggins is the university librarian the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  He has served as a consultant for dozens of institutions, primarily in the areas of strategic planning, team building, resource sharing, benchmarking and organizational restructuring.

The mentors for 2007 will be headlined by Steve Brown, incoming TLA president and director of North Richland Hills Public Library, who will become the record-holder for most years as a mentor. The new president-elect of TLA will also be on hand - either Melody Kelly, associate dean of libraries for the University of North Texas, or Jeanne Pyle, library director at The University of Texas at Tyler. Other mentors having a history with the program include TALL Texan alumna Sharon Amastae, librarian at Camino Real Middle School Library in El Paso, and returning mentor Kathy Hoffman, executive director of the Research Medical Library at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The institute will welcome two new mentors: Meller Langford, interim deputy director at Houston Public Library, and Doug Ferrier, library director at the University of Texas at Brownsville.

Class of 2007

  • Carla Braxton, Clinton P. Russell Elementary School, Dallas Independent School District

  • Aimee Camp, Dorris Van Doren Regional Branch Library, El Paso Public Library

  • Clinton Chamberlain, Trinity University, San Antonio

  • Heidi Daniel-Morgan, Juvenile Services, Houston Public Library

  • Colette Eason, Thomas L. Marsalis Elementary School, Dallas Independent School District

  • Catherine Essinger, University of Houston Libraries

  • Ellen Eyberg, Esperanza Acosta Moreno Regional Branch Library, El Paso Public Library

  • Valli Hoski, Amigos Library Services, Dallas

  • Dana Hutchins, Jackson Middle School, North East Independent School District, San Antonio

  • Melissa Johnson, Abilene Christian University

  • Debra Lewis, Pflugerville Community Library

  • Ann Mason, Texas State Library & Archives Commission, Austin

  • Edward Melton, McGovern-Stella Link Branch, Houston Public Library

  • Mary Milligan, Saint Luke’s Episcopal School, San Antonio

  • Anne Marie Mitchell, University of Houston Libraries

  • Janet Peri, University of Texas Dental Branch Library, Houston

  • Kimberly Picozzi, Calallen High School, Calallen Independent School District, Corpus Christi

  • Melissa Rippy, Pasadena Independent School District

  • Leah Rosson, Central High School Library, San Angelo Independent School District

  • Sarah Samson, Round Rock Public Library

  • Kristy Smrcka, Dallas Public Library

  • Anna Stewart, Saint Edwards University Libraries, Austin

TLA congratulates all of the members of the 2007 class. Applications are evaluated on demonstrations of leadership, community service, and commitment to the library profession. The evaluation team is assembled by the Leadership Development Committee, which oversees the institute.

Cultivating the vast pool of talented professionals in our state is essential for the development of libraries in Texas. We ask that all directors, managers, and librarians encourage their colleagues to apply to the TALL Texans program.  Applications for the 2008 TALL Texans program will be available at the TLA website on October 1, 2007.
 

Grants

Improving Literary through School Libraries

The Department of Education application package for the 2007 Improving Literacy through School Libraries is available at http://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/applicant.html.  Eligible applicants include local education agencies (LEAs) in which at least 20 percent of the students served are from families with incomes below the poverty line based on the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Information on the poverty level in each district can be found here <http://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/eligibility.html>.

The deadline for applications is April 2, 2007.

Young Heroes Prize

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, founded by young adult author T.A. Barron, seeks nominations for its 2007 awards. The Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 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. Nomination deadline is April 30. For more information -- and to request a packet of free heroes educational materials -- visit http://www.barronprize.org/.

Announcements


Free Online Test Prep for Higher Ed Students Available
 Texas Online Preparation for College Admissions Tests (TOPCAT) provides free online SAT and ACT test preparation materials in English and Spanish to Texas middle and high school students, and adults preparing to enroll college for the first time.  Many scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid are awarded based on a student’s scores.  By utilizing TOPCAT, every student in Texas has access to test prep tutorials, practice sessions, timed sample tests, a vocabulary builder, and test-taking tips.  TOPCAT is found at College for Texans website http://testprep.collegefortexans.com/.

College for Texans Website
Looking for one place to find all there is to know about going to college or technical school in Texas? Information about admissions, financial aid, and free test prep can be found at http://www.CollegeForTexans.com.

Texas Common Application
 The upcoming 2008-2009 Texas Common Application for Admission is now called the Apply Texas Application for Admission.  The application is still available online (http://www.applytexas.org) and helps students apply for admission to any Texas public university, as well as to participating community and private colleges.

TLA Names in the News

Jerre Roe Williams of Corsicana retired as of January 31, 2007.

Deaths
 One of TLA’s 100 Champions, Luella Higley, died unexpectedly just 12 days short of her 99th birthday. Ms. Higley was a longtime member of TLA.

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.)

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