In this issue:
Barbers Hill Intermediate School Library Wins Hotho Literacy Award
Arlington's Project STAR Receives Highsmith Innovation Award
TLA Council Resolves to Raise Minimum MLS Recommended Salary to $28,000
TexShare Bill Passes House and
Senate
Funding may come from General Revenue and TIF
The House and Senate have both passed HB 2721, the bill that would establish the TexShare academic library resource-sharing consortium in statute and locate administrative oversight of the program in the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The legislation is an important step in the life of the project because it provides statutory recognition of the project and enables community colleges and independent colleges and universities to participate in the consortium.
Funding for the project, however, remains uncertain. Rep. Robert Junell (D-San Angelo), chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and vice-chair of the conference committee appointed to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the budget, has suggested that funding for the project could come from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF). Sen. David Sibley (R-Waco), however, citing concerns over the erosion of TIF funds from intended projects, has objected to using TIF funds to support TexShare and has pushed instead for General Revenue funding of the project. At press time, conference committee members had deferred decision on this and other funding issues pending the outcome of the property tax relief bill.
The plight of TexShare funding is emblematic of the progress of the entire 75th Legislative Session. Bills that have little or no fiscal impact have fared relatively well, while all attempts to secure additional funds from General Revenue have been largely unsuccessful. The prospect of the passage of a major overhaul of school financing will require the state to spend all available surplus funding to pay for a shift of tax burden for public schools from local taxpayers to the state. This bill has left the appropriations conference committee with little alternative other than to pass a bare-bones budget. Very few new money items or additional staff have been approved for any agency.
This was certainly the experience of the Texas State Library. Conference committee members upheld the Legislative Budget Board recommendation that cut $273,000 from the agency’s budget request and denied all of the supplemental request items with the exception of a one-time, $48,000 upgrade of security at the State Library and Archives building in Austin.
Funding for school library materials in the Texas Education Agency budget fared a bit better. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) argued successfully to keep pending a rider that would appropriate one dollar per student per year for school library materials. If approved, this funding would total approximately $7.4 million for school materials, a first-ever state appropriation for this purpose. But again, this funding is pending the outcome of the proposed property tax relief bill.
Other legislation supported by the Texas Library Association has either been approved or seems headed for passage. The following is a summary of library legislation at press time.
HB 237 (Goolsby). This legislation would make failure to return library books after notification a misdemeanor in the Texas Penal Code. The bill passed the House and was heard in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee where the chair, Sen. John Whitmire, stated that he intended to move the bill out of committee.
SB 249 (Sibley) would restore the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) to full amounts and impose a uniform tax on all contributors. This bill has passed both houses and been sent to the Governor to sign.
SB 1386 (Haywood), which raise the inventory threshold for equipment purchased in the Texas Library System, has passed both houses and been sent to the Governor.
SB 1674 (Barrientos), to allow voters to choose to create library districts funded by sales tax, has passed the Senate unanimously and is pending House committee action.
SB 515 (Moncrief) would allow regional library systems to carry over up to five percent of unencumbered state funds for the purpose of accumulating cash reserves required by the State Library. It has passed both houses and been sent to the Governor.
To search for the text, history, etc. of any bill, click here.
1997 TLA Conference Draws Record Attendance
A record 7,251 librarians and library supporters attended “People, Libraries, Information: Resources Worth Sharing,” the 1997 Texas Library Association Annual Conference. Attendees traveled from across the state to participate in 11 preconferences, attend over 200 programs, and hear 13 featured speakers. In the exhibit halls, attendees wandered among over 700 booths displaying a vast array of goods and services from the traditional to the technological.
Featured speakers such as Richard Rodriguez and Sandra Cisneros provided inspiring words about their life and work and the important role of libraries and print culture in the lives of ordinary citizens. Michael Blake, author of Dances with Wolves, performed a one-man act as General George Custer before a packed house at the Friends and Trustees Luncheon. Jon Scieszka, author of the 1997 Texas Bluebonnet Award book, Math Curse, entertained nearly 2,000 attendees at the TBA Luncheon with excerpts from his new book.
One of the high points of the conference was the presentation of the 1997 TLA Awards and other awards honoring the work and contribution of Texas librarians. Among these was the presentation by First Lady of Texas Laura Bush of the first annual Texas Book Festival Awards to 40 public libraries in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.
After hours, weary conferees were relaxed and refreshed by a variety of activities. On Tuesday evening, attendees gathered at the Kimbell Art Museum for the Welcome Party. Wednesday, conferees tested their gambling and dancing skills at the Wild West Casino Night. And on Thursday night, dancers cut the rug at the first annual Doo-Wop Sock Hop.
Dana Rooks Named Librarian of the Year
Dana Rooks, director of the University of Houston Library, has been named Librarian of the Year by the Texas Library Association for her contributions to the library profession statewide, especially her work promoting and directing the TexShare academic library consortium.
In presenting the award, the Awards Committee of the Texas Library Association cited Ms. Rooks’s strong leadership qualities, her willingness to mentor other librarians, and her wealth of information about libraries and librarianship.
It is her work with TexShare, however, that has most distinguished Ms. Rooks and earned her the admiration of her colleagues. TexShare is a resource-sharing project of which all 52 four-year public universities in Texas are members. Ms. Rooks played a key role in articulating the goals of TexShare not only to Texas librarians, but also to board members and university and college administrators. She currently serves as chair of the TexShare Board.
The Librarian of the Year Award is presented in recognition of outstanding service to the field of librarianship in Texas.
TLA also honors Laura Bush, Helen Croft, and others
Outstanding Services to Libraries
Helen Croft of Proctor, a former chair of the board of the Comanche Public
Library, has won the Texas Library Association’s 1997 Outstanding Services
to Libraries Award. Over the past 20 years, Mrs. Croft has been an active
and dedicated library lay advocate at the local, regional, and national level.
In addition to serving as its chair, Mrs. Croft was also the vice-chair and
secretary of the Comanche Public Library board. She was also instrumental
in forming the Comanche Public Library Foundation in 1994.
The Outstanding Services to Libraries Award is presented annually to a lay leader in the area of library service.
Philanthropic Award
The Texas Library Association has awarded its 1997 Philanthropic Award to
Dr. Jagdish Mehra of the University of Houston
for his donation to the library of a unique collection of materials on the
history of modern science.
Since 1952, Dr. Mehra, an avid book collector, has amassed an extraordinary private library of rare books, unpublished papers, manuscripts, photographs, and tape-recorded interviews with many of the greatest figures in modern physics, astrophysics, philosophy, and literature.
Project of the Year
The first annual Texas Book
Festival won the 1997 Project of the Year Award. Accepting the award
at the second general session at the TLA Annual Conference in Fort Worth
April 10 was a surprised Mrs. Laura Bush who had just finished announcing
the 40 libraries who had won Texas Book Festival awards.
The Texas Book Festival was held in Austin in November 1996 to promote books, reading, and published works. The event raised $125,000 that was given to public libraries across the state in the form of competitive grants. The three-day festival presented over 40 programs related to books and reading, including storytelling, readings, and autographing sessions.
Benefactor Awards
Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Pearce, Jr., of Corsicana, and the Pi Beta Phi Houston
Alumnae Club are the recipients of the 1997 TLA Benefactor Awards. The Pearces
were recognized for their donation of a valuable collection of Civil War
documents to the Gaston T. Gooch Learning Center at
Navarro College in Corsicana. Pi Beta
Phi Houston Alumnae Club was honored for establishing and operating a
children’s library in the Texas Children’s Hospital.
The Pearce Collection is an extraordinary assemblage of Civil War letters, signatures, photographs, and papers from many of the principal figures of the war including Lincoln, Davis, Lee, and Grant. The Pi Beta Phi Houston Alumnae Club opened a library in the Texas Children’s Hospital in 1984. In the years since then, the Club has contributed over $160,000 to the operating fund and over $145,000 to the Pi Beta Phi Children’s Library Endowment Fund.
The TLA Benefactor Awards are presented annually in recognition of outstanding, unique, or significant gifts to Texas libraries.
Other TLA Awards
Siddie Joe Johnson Award
Rose Trevino, San Antonio Public Library
Texas/SIRS Intellectual Freedom Award
Mary Ellen Scribner, Westwood HS, Round Rock ISD
Small Community Librarian of the Year Award
Denise Carter, Maffett Memorial Library, Groesbeck
School Library Administrator of the Year
Jim Fish, Lee HS, San Antonio
Barbers Hill Intermediate School Library Wins Hotho Literacy Award
The Barbers Hill Intermediate School library in Mont Belvieu, Texas, is the recipient of the first annual Hotho Literacy Award. The library and its librarian, Caroline Wadzeck, were recognized for contributions to reading through promotion of the Texas Bluebonnet Award and the Accelerated Reading Program. Ms. Wadzeck works closely with the school’s teachers to develop themes used to promote reading throughout the year, to create eye-catching displays, and to bring speakers into the school to stimulate and encourage an interest in books and reading. The Hotho Literacy Award is a $1,000 award given by Hotho & Company in recognition of the library in Texas “that has worked the hardest to encourage and support the joy of reading.”
Arlington’s Project STAR Receives Highsmith Innovation Award
Arlington Public Library’s Project STAR has been awarded the first annual Highsmith Innovation Award for a program that provides literacy and public library services to families in crisis. Project STAR (Service to the At-Risk) is an outreach program that provides books, literacy experiences, and information about library services to families registered at five Arlington-area shelters and crisis centers. The Highsmith Innovation Award is sponsored by Highsmith, Inc. to recognize innovative library service programs. A check for $1,000 was presented to library representatives on April 9 during the Texas Library Association 1997 Annual Conference in Fort Worth.
Betty Carter wins Demco/TLA Grant
Betty Carter, associate professor of library science in the School of Library and Information Studies at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, is the winner of the 1997 Demco/TLA Research Award. John Ison, national sales and exhibits manager for Demco, Inc., presented a check for $2,000 to Dr. Carter at the TLA conference in Fort Worth.
Dr. Carter is studying the use of books written specifically for early readers. She will place 250 to 300 early reader books in school library collections and then track the rate of circulation of these materials. Dr. Carter will analyze the use of these materials to determine what patterns govern why certain of these materials are better used than others. Grant funds will be spent to build the database to track use of these materials.
“At a time when we are concerned with early literacy, it is appropriate for libraries to look at their collections and how we can encourage the behavior of early reading,” Dr. Carter said.
The Demco/TLA Research Award is given by Demco Inc. to encourage quality research in the area of library and information science.
To Our Corporate Sponsors, TLA Says
THANK YOU!
TLA thanks the many companies that provided direct financial support to the TLA Annual Conference and other activities this year.
GOLD Contributors
Ameritech Library Services
Baker & Taylor
Brodart
EBSCO Information Services
SILVER Contributors
3M Library Systems
DEMCO, Inc.
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Highsmith, Inc.
Hotho and Company
Information Access Company
Quality Books, Inc.
Social Issues Resource Series, Inc.
Southwestern Bell
UMI
VTLS, Inc.
BRONZE Contributors
Auto-Graphics, Inc.
Buckstaff Company
Coin Copiers, Inc.
Dataplex Corporation
Data Research Associates, Inc. (DRA)
Escue and Associates
Gale Research, Inc.
Garrett Book Company
Gulf Publishing Company
Ingram Library Services, Inc.
Innovative Interfaces, Inc.
Landmark Audiobooks
MARCIVE, Inc.
Random House, Inc.
S.A.V.E. Half Price Books for Libraries
Scholastic Book Fairs, Inc.
Silver Platter
SmartApple Media
T.R. Books
Texas Professional Association for Library Sales Round Table
Troll Book Fairs
Milton Van Dusen
Visual Innovations Company, Inc.
Wholesale Electronic Supply
Winnebago Software Company
TLA and Texas State Library to Host
Video Conference
The topic is school and library telecom discounts
The Texas Library Association and the Texas State Library will present “Maximizing Your E-Rate: Making the Most of New Telecommunications Discounts for Schools and Libraries,” a teleconference offered by the American Library Association and the Public Broadcasting System on June 3 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.
The teleconference will describe the Universal Service Fund created by the United States Congress as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Thanks to the Snowe-Rockefeller-Exon-Kerrey (SREK) amendment, schools, libraries, and rural hospitals will be eligible to participate in this multi-billion dollar fund.
Participants will learn how libraries and schools can access discounts for wiring, video, voice, and data services. These discounts may range from 20 to 90 percent, depending on recommendations pending before the Federal Communications Commission.
Texas librarians in particular will want to know how these rates will be applied, since similar rates are also available under state legislation passed as part of HB 2128 during the last legislative session.
Those attending the teleconference will learn the contents of FCC rules published
on May 8 that will be in effect by the start of the 1997-98 school year.
“Maximizing Your E-Rate” will also:
The teleconference will be offered only in Austin from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Austin Community College District office at 5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Room 201 B-C. To register, call Mae Murray at the State Library, 512/463-6623 (mae.murray@tsl.state.tx.us).
Tocker Foundation Awards First Round of Library Grants
The Tocker Foundation has announced the first round of grants to Texas libraries for 1997. Thirty-one public libraries serving populations of under 12,000 will receive grants from the Tocker Foundation in amounts ranging from under $1,000 to over $44,000. In all, the foundation will award $343,735. The Tocker Foundation received grant applications totaling over $500,000 from 43 libraries, but 13 of these projects will not be funded.
Winning libraries will use their Tocker Foundation Grants to fund a variety of projects, including the purchase of library materials, automation projects, furniture and equipment purchases, and, in one library, a room addition onto the library.
The Tocker Foundation is now accepting grant applications for the second round of grants. Deadline for applications for the second funding period is June 1.
The following libraries will be awarded the grants:
Alma M. Carpenter Library, Sour Lake; Alvord Public Library; Bastrop Public Library; Bonham Public Library; Castroville Public Library; Cedar Park Public Library; Celina Community Library; Charles J. Rike Memorial Library, Farmersville; Chico Public Library; Cochran County Love Memorial Library; Cockrell Hill Public Library; Coldspring Area Public Library; Comfort Public Library; Crystal City Memorial Library; Dublin Public Library; Hewitt Community Library; Jim Hogg County Public Library; Justin Community Library; Liberty Municipal Library; Lytle Public Library; Maffett Memorial Library; Mares Memorial Library; Pearsall Public Library; Pleasanton Public Library; Ransom Canyon Library; Real County Public Library; Salado Public Library; Shiner Public Library; Smithville Public Library; Tawakoni Area Public Library; and the Tri-County Library in Mabank.
TLA Council Resolves to Raise
Minimum MLS Recommended Salary to $28,000
Other actions honor Helen Riepma, legislators
The TLA Council has adopted a resolution increasing the minimum recommended annual entry- level salary of a librarian with a Master’s of Library Science from an ALA-accredited school to $28,000. Previously, the recommended salary for an entry-level MLS had been $26,000 per year.
The resolution originated in the TLA Professional Rights, Responsibilities and Recruitment Committee. This committee is charged with surveying and reviewing salary data in even-numbered years and, in odd-numbered years, proposing updates to the minimum recommended salary levels.
The resolution was adopted by Council at their meeting of April 11, 1997, at the close of the TLA Annual Conference in Fort Worth.
Honoring Helen Riepma
Another resolution adopted by the Council honors the late Helen Riepma of
West Texas A&M University. Ms. Riepma was killed in an automobile accident
in 1996. The resolution cites Ms. Riepma’s many contributions to TLA
including her service on the Legislative Committee, Continuing Education
Committee, and in many activities of the College and University Libraries
Division. Ms. Riepma was also cited for her work in the community and other
groups.
In Praise of Helpful Lawmakers
The Council also acted to recognize the contributions of three members of
the Texas Legislature who have been particularly supportive of library activities
during the current legislative session. One resolution honors
Rep. Bob Hunter
of Abilene, sponsor of several library-related bills, including HB 2721,
establishing the TexShare Academic Library Consortium. Another resolution
honors
Sen.
David Sibley of Waco, and
Rep. Sylvester
Turner of Houston, who held a press conference in February announcing
their intention to urge the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF)
to pay for Internet connections for every Texas public library.
Thank You, Mrs. Bush
The Council also adopted a resolution honoring First Lady of Texas Laura
Bush for her work on behalf of Texas libraries. The resolution cites Mrs.
Bush’s “long-standing and innovative dedication to and advocacy
for children, reading, and books.” The resolution also praises Mrs.
Bush for initiating the Texas Book Festival, which won the
TLA Project of the Year Award.
Honoring TLA Members Lankford, Moltzan, and Sheffy
Other resolutions passed by Council honored members Cyd Sheffy, Mary Lankford,
and Jan Moltzan. Ms. Sheffy was recognized for her work as chair of the Bylaws
and Resolutions Committee and for organizing the TLA bylaws and officer and
committee information for association officers. Mary D. Lankford, a former
president of TLA, was cited for her service to the state and national library
communities and for her work as chair of the TLA ad hoc Committee on School
Library Standards. Jan Moltzan was cited for displaying remarkable reserves
of leadership and determination, especially in her work with ALA in which
she and others successfully crafted and pushed to passage the Library Services
and Technology Act.
Web Page Now Official Source for TLA Bylaws and Rules
New TLA officers who had previously received the famous blue binders that
have until now contained all the information anyone could want about TLA
bylaws and procedures, will now access these materials on the TLA web page
(http://www.txla.org). The TLA web page
will now be the official source for TLA bylaws and standing rules.
Black Caucus and Storytelling Become Round Tables
The Council approved motions to change the Black Caucus and Storytelling
Interest Groups to round tables. Round tables elect officers and are entitled
to be represented by a voting member on the Council.
Texans Attend ALA Legislative Day
A delegation of 23 Texas librarians traveled to Washington to participate in ALA National Library Legislative Day May 5 and 6. Texas delegates met with every congressional member (or staff) and with staff of both senatorial offices. The following are the names of all Texas librarians who went to Washington to argue for increased funding for your library. Be sure and thank them when you see them next:
Ruth Semrau (organizer), Scherel Carver, Joycelyn Claer, John Deats, Dale Fleeger, Rhoda Goldberg, Carlyn Gray, Barbara Gubbin, Joan Heath, Patrick Heath, Gretchen Hoffmann, Anna Holzer, Susan Mann, Robert Martin, Sarah Milnarich, Linda Newsome-Dillard, Eva Poole, Frances Rains, Kenneth Roach, Gracelyn Shea, Cyd Sheffy, Mark Smith, and Grace Stroud.
Names in the News
Appointments/Changes:
JoAnne Moore has been voted President-Elect of the Texas Library Association. In the same election, Martha Holguin and Gleniece Robinson were selected as Representatives-at-Large. All three began actual service at the close of the TLA Annual Conference.
Tina Mesa, consultant with the Alamo Area Library System in San Antonio, and her husband Ron announce the arrival of a new daughter, Brianna Nicole, on March 28.
The Library Development Division of the Texas State Library has acquired two new staff members. Sue Polanka, formerly of the Archives Division of the State Library, is now continuing education consultant. Diana Young, formerly of the North Carolina State Library, is now grants administrator.
Christine Pouncey has joined the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau as software training manager. Previously she worked as training and support librarian at the University of North Texas in Denton.
Death:
Ruth S. Wikoff, the first professional librarian hired by the University of Houston in 1933, died April 23 in Houston. Ms. Wikoff had remained a TLA member until her death at age 92.
Lose Something?
Did you lose something at the TLA Conference? Perhaps a black jacket or an umbrella or a pair of glasses? The TLA office has a number of lost-and-found items waiting to be claimed. If you lost an item, please call Heather Orr at 512/328-1518 or 800/580-2852.
NOTICE:
Libros Sin Fronteras asks that anyone who requested a catalog of Spanish language materials at the TLA conference, please contact the company immediately. The names of people requesting catalogs were regrettably lost. Please contact:
Libros Sin Fronteras
P.O. Box 2085
Olympia, WA 98507-2085
800/454-2767
Fax: 360/357-4964
e-mail: libros@wln.com
