1. Extended the work of the Salary Compensation Task Force to include a study of academic librarian salaries and to follow up with the three (3) remaining non-responding library systems. 

2. Re-affirmed the principles established in the 1992 TALL Texans proposal for the purpose and intent of the program not to be exclusively intended to generate leaders for TLA but rather leaders for the profession.

3. Agreed that the TALL Texans Participant Selection Subcommittee should be constituted to include both former participants in the TALL Texans program and TLA members who have not participated in the TALL Texans program.

4. Agreed that the TLA Executive Board will create a list of possible mentors for the TALL Texans Institute for the Leadership Development Committee to pursue. 

5. Decided to shift the 2007 San Antonio conference dates to April 9-14.

6. Accepted the recommendations of the Budget Committee.

7. Accepted the recommendation of the committee chair to dissolve the Telecommunications and Networked Technology Policy Committee. 

8. Extended the contract with the TALL Texans Leadership Development.

9. Approved the charge and establishment of a new Resource Sharing Task Force to be chaired by Sue Phillips and expressed appreciation to Rhoda Goldberg and members of the 2003-2004 Resource Sharing Task Force whose work was completed with the submission of its written report.

10. Set the 2005 TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute stipend at $450.

11. Approved a $1,000 donation to the Texas School and Business Coalition.

12. Approved the TLA annual conference schedule through 2015.

13. Agreed to a membership survey of member needs and priorities.

14. Agreed to submit to People to People Ambassadors, Inc. the names of persons interested in serving as delegate leaders of tours in China and Russia.

1. Adopted a resolution honoring Ray Marchant for his assistance with the video produced each year for the Texas Bluebonnet Award program.

2. Adopted a resolution on the maintenance of local service, including TLA’s opposition to any legislation that would limit the tax base of local governments and would endanger the current level of public services.

3. Amended Article 9, Section 1, part D of the TLA Bylaws to include the following statement: “The immediate Past-Chair of the TALL Texans Round Table shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Leadership Development Committee as an ex-officio and non-voting member of that committee.”

4. Decided not to hold the Council Caucus at the 2004 Annual Assembly. 

5. Adopted a resolution of appreciation for Pat Jefferson, former coordinator of the Texas Bluebonnet Award Committee.

6. Adopted a resolution of appreciation for Sally Meyers for her contributions to the Texas Reading Club. 

7. Adopted a resolution of appreciation for Elaine R. Sanchez for her efforts on behalf of Texas catalogers.

8. Adopted the document, “Texas Public Library Standards,” as presented by the task force as TLA policy and transmitted the document to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission with a recommendation for their consideration and approval.

9. Adopted the motion to transmit the document, “Resolution on Minimum Criteria for Accreditation of Texas Public Libraries,” to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission with a recommendation for adoption and implementation.

10. Approved the motion to remove Rule 9, Section W.  Telecommunications and Networked Technology Policy Committee from the TLA Standing Rules.

11.  Approved the 2004-2005 budget.

12. Received a resolution to abolish the position of Treasurer on the TLA Executive Board.  This resolution will be presented to Council in April 2005 for consideration and action.

The TLA Awards Committee invites you to submit nominations for one of the prestigious awards to be given at the Texas Library Association Annual Conference in April 2005.  The awards include the Distinguished Service Award, Librarian of the Year, Project of the Year, Outstanding Service Award, and Benefactor Awards.

Making a nomination is not an easy task and may take several weeks to complete!  Make it a team effort to work on the nomination information and find all of the supporting evidence to prove your candidate or program should be the winning choice.  The forms and eligibility information are on the TLA website , and the deadline for this year’s nominations will be January 5, 2005. 

Send nominations to the Awards Committee chair:  Elizabeth Polk (Austin ISD) , 2608 Richcreek Road • Austin, Texas 78757.

The TLA Executive Board has approved the creation of a new scholarship to be presented in memory of Jeannette Marquis by her mother, Solina Marquis and her father.  The Scholarship and Research Committee of TLA will administer the award, the purpose of which is to increase the number of bilingual librarians working in Texas public or school libraries. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded each year in June, beginning in 2005, for the following fall semester.  The award may be considered for renewal one time, as long as the award recipient re-applies.

To be considered for the award, an individual must: 

1. be bilingual (Spanish-English);

2. reside in Texas;

3. be enrolled in an ALA-accredited MLS program and be taking at least two courses in a semester;

4. plan to or already be working in a public or school library that serves Latino patrons; and 

5. have a degree plan that demonstrates a commitment to public or school libraries. 

For additional information, visit the TLA website.

The Texas Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Handbook, a perennial bestseller among TLA publications, serves libraries and librarians in a variety of settings. If you need information about facing a challenge in your library, the Handbook and the members of the IF Committee are here for you.

Visit the TLA website for information on:

• reporting a challenge 

• accessing the Handbook 

• learning more about IF awards

• nominating someone you know who has dealt with a challenge  for the ProQuest/SIRS Intellectual Freedom Award

News from TSLAC

Strong Roots at TSLAC

The August 2004 issue of Family Tree Magazine names 19 state archives this year among its "101 Best Web Sites for Tracing Your Roots." The complete article, available at www.familytreemagazine.com/101sites/2004/regional.html, includes the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Search the Archives

Deep in the heart of the Texas archives site, you'll find databases including Confederate pension applications, vital records, claims documents and military service records. Search the archives' Map Collection for original and reproduced maps from the 17th century to the present.

TexShare Reference Workshop

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission will hold a series of reference workshops focusing on the use of TexShare databases and the new Library of Texas.  The sessions will cover reference tips and strategies for using electronic resources; effective searching techniques to use with colleagues and patrons; and skills to conduct the reference interview and train patrons more effectively.

Each class is a full-day session, including discussion and individual and group activities related to reference services and electronic resources. For more information and to register, please go to: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/workshops/tsra/.

ALA News