Volume 16, Number 5
August 1997
In this issue:
TLA Resolutions Address Telecom Concerns, Honor Helpful Lawmakers
TALL Texans Institute Graduates Class
of 1997
23 Librarians and one trustee complete leadership
institute
The Texas Library Association graduated the fourth class of TALL Texans during the week of June 2-6, 1997. Twenty-four selected participants completed a course of intensive concentration on leadership processes with the guidance of six mentors and two facilitators. The Leadership Development Institute was held in the scenic Texas Hill Country at Harambe Oaks Ranch. The facilitators for the Institute were Maureen Sullivan and Jack Siggins, nationally recognized presenters in the area of leadership development. The corporate sponsor for the TALL Texans Institute was Hotho and Company.
The participants at the 1997 TALL Texans Institute were Cynthia Cooper, Carrollton
Public Library; Nancy Cunningham, St. Mary’s University; Vicki Decker,
Collingsworth Public Library/Wellington ISD; Beth Dupuis, University 
of
Texas at Austin; James Filyaw, city councilman, City of DeSoto (and the first
ever lay member to participate in the institute); Cherry Fuller, Education Service
Center XI, Fort Worth; Anthony Guardado, Angelo State University; Genie Hammel,
Plano Public Library; Gretchen Hoffmann, University of Houston; Sandi Hood,
Palo Alto College, San Antonio; Ann Loggins, Bedford Public Library; Mark McCallon,
Abilene Christian University; Kathi Mehan, Nicholson Memorial Library System,
Garland; Leila Parrish, Houston Public Library; Edith Reiss, Richardson Public
Library; Rachel Robbins, University of Texas at Arlington; Victor Schill, Harris
County Public Library; Karen Stanley, Rosenberg Library, Galveston; Hellena
Stokes, Houston Public Library; Jack Strawn, Sunset High School, Northside ISD,
San Antonio; Margaret Terrell, Robert E. Lee High School, Tyler ISD; Tess Trost,
Texas Tech University; Terese Varga, Victoria Public Library; and Jane Wert,
Neal Elementary School, Bryan ISD.
The mentors for the Institute were Steve Brown, North Richland Hills Public Library; Joan Heath, Southwest Texas State University; JoAnne Moore, president-elect of Texas Library Association; Mark Smith, TLA; Mary Kay Snell, Amarillo Public Library; and Ben Wakashige, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Many TLA units generously assisted members with participation expenses. These units were the College and University Libraries Division, Public Libraries Division, Texas Association of School Librarians, Acquisitions and Collection Development Round Table, Administration Round Table, Automation and Technology Round Table, Black Caucus Round Table, Children’s Round Table, Government Documents Round Table, Library Instruction Round Table, New Members Round Table, Reference Round Table, Small Community Libraries Round Table, Young Adult Round Table, and all 10 TLA districts.
Adding assistance were many of the employing institutions, including Abilene Christian University, Alamo Community College, City of Bedford, City of Carrollton, City of Garland, City of Plano, City of Richardson, Friends of the Victoria Public Library, Harris County Public Library, Houston Public Library, Robert E. Lee High School (Tyler), Rosenberg Library, Texas Tech University, University of Houston, and the University of Texas at Arlington.
The TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute will be held again during the week of June 1-5, 1998. If you are interested in participating or if you know a worthy candidate, watch for nomination forms at TLA Fall district meetings and in a forthcoming brochure about the Institute. Deadline for nominations is December 1, 1997.
Librarians Sail Away on TLA
Cruise
Weddington guest speaker on boat to Bahamas
An adventurous group of Texas librarians combined business and pleasure by setting sail on a cruise to the Bahamas July 11-14. The cruise featured a workshop with leadership expert Sarah Weddington--and perhaps just a little fun along the way.
Many
cruise participants brought along spouses, parents, and friends and enjoyed
activities, including swimming, gambling, dancing, and touring on shore in Nassau
and the Bahamas. Participants were kept well fed from sunrise breakfasts to
midnight buffets.
The workshop leader, Sarah Weddington, is well known as the lawyer who successfully argued the landmark Roe v. Wade case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Ms. Weddington was also a member of the Texas House of Representatives and now teaches courses on leadership at both The University of Texas at Austin and Texas Woman’s University.
On the cruise, Ms. Weddington addressed such themes as “staying ahead of the curve,” “leadership as a process,” and “useful attitudes and motivations.”
Early reports from participants indicated that the group bonded particularly well. So well, in fact, that they came back ready to plan the next trip and maybe even a new TLA interest group for cruise veterans.
What exotic ports of call beckon the CE Committee next? A cruise up the Mississippi? Or to Alaska? Or through the Norwegian fjords? Imagination is the only limit.
TLA Leaders Assemble in
Austin
Assembly draws 450 for meetings, speakers,
exhibits
Over 450 library leaders from across the state gathered in Austin July 20-22 for TLA Annual Assembly. Attendees participated in meetings, attended training sessions, passed resolutions, heard speakers from key state agencies describe developing policies, and toured vendor exhibits offered at this year’s Assembly for the first time.
At a Sunday evening session, State Librarian Robert Martin described that agency’s plans to incorporate TexShare, the academic library consortium, into its operations. Following Dr. Martin, Pam Tackett of the State Board for Educator Certification discussed the upcoming process for developing standards for school librarian certification. Ms. Tackett explained how this process fit into the overall agency framework for certifying all educators.
At the
Monday luncheon, a record number of attendees (over 250) heard from Arnold Viramontes,
executive director, of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund. Mr. Viramontes
reiterated the TIF Board’s intention to connect public libraries to the
Internet. Mr. Viramontes also stated that it is the common practice of the TIF
staff, when reviewing grant proposals from schools, to ensure that there is
a connection in the school library. [Left: Arnold Viramontes answers questions
from Annual Assembly attendees.]
In attendance at this year’s Assembly were several visiting librarians from Mexico whose visit was coordinated by the TLA Texas-Mexico Relations Committee. Among the visiting dignitaries recognized at the Monday luncheon was Elsa Ramírez-Leyva, the president of AMBAC, the Mexican equivalent of the American Library Association. Also present from Mexico was Agustín Gutiérrez Chiñas, library science professor at the state university in San Luis Potosí, and Blanca Laura Muñoz, library director at the History Museum of Monterrey. These librarians had travelled from Mexico to explore cooperation opportunities between Texas and Mexio.
This year’s conference featured exhibits by 18 vendors who offered attendees information on a range of products including books, multimedia, online services, periodical services, and consulting. All proceeds from exhibits--an estimated $2,100--will go to the Elizabeth Crabb Fund. (See sidebar for a complete list of vendors who exhibited at this year’s Assembly.)
Among resolutions passed at this year’s Assembly was one calling on Southwestern Bell to recall its action to block federal discounts for telecommunications services for libraries and schools, and several others honoring legislators who provided special assistance to libraries during the last session. (See page 5 for a full description of all resolutions passed at Assembly.)
Sunday evening, assembly attendees surprised TLA Executive Director Pat Smith with a party to celebrate her 10 years with the association. James Stewart, director of the Victoria Public Library, presided over a “roast” in which such notables as TLA legal beagle Sam Stone, former TLA President Barbara Gubbin, and former board member Julie Todaro offered hilarious accounts of 10 years working with Pat Smith.
A Big TLA Thanks to Assembly Exhibitors
3M Library Systems Division
ATHENA/Nichols Advanced Technologies Inc.
Baker & Taylor
Cover-Craft - Perfection Learning
Disney Educational Production
EDC-Usborne Books
EBSCO Information Services
Elm Tree Management
Greg Escue and Associates
Grolier Educational and Publishing Co.
Mustard Seed Press
Perma-Bound Books
PROVIDENCE Associates, Inc.
Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers
Recorded Books, Inc.
Texas Jewish Historical Society
UMI
H. W. Wilson Company
SBEC Announces School Librarian
Panel
Fifteen TLA Members Chosen
The State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) has appointed 15 TLA members from across the state to a committee that will advise the agency on the development of certification requirements for school librarians.
The members of the Advisory Committee on Learning Resources Certification are: Barry Bishop, Spring Branch ISD; Carol Bramlett, Lubbock ISD; Ruth Dahlstrom, Goliad ISD; Diantha Dawkins, Midland ISD; Eileen Dunne, Abilene ISD; Linda Garrett, Dallas Public Schools; Elizabeth Haynes, El Paso ISD; Patricia Jefferson, Carroll ISD; Kathy Jones, Amarillo ISD; Donna Pohl, ESC Region XV, San Angelo; Janice Richardson, Leander ISD; Magdalena Rosa, Edinburg CISD; Jack Strawn, Northside ISD; Faye Whitaker, Marshall ISD; Maureen White, University of Houston, Clear Lake.
The State Board of Educator Certification is the state agency responsible for developing certification requirements for all educators in the public schools. The advisory committee is charged with making recommendations to the board regarding the standards required to receive the Learning Resources Certificate. The committee will meet five times between now and March 1, 1998, when its final recommendations are due to the board.
Board members approved the names at a meeting held in Austin August 1. Supporting materials submitted to the board at that meeting state that “the role of the librarian is seen as a crucial component in facilitating the achievement of these goals [reading, writing, computing, problem solving, critical thinking, applying technology, and communicating] by serving as a teacher, information specialist, and instructional consultant.”
State Library Appoints TexShare
Board
Members include Bill Hobby and Nelda Laney
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has approved appointments to the new TexShare Advisory Board, created to establish policies relating to resource sharing among Texas academic libraries.
Members appointed are William P. Hobby, Houston, and Nelda Laney, Hale Center, representing the public; S. Joe McCord, University of Houston, Clear Lake, and Gilda Baeza Ortego, Sul Ross State University (four-year public universities); George Huffman, Amarillo College, and Paul E. Dumont, Dallas Community College (public community colleges). Robert A. Seal of Texas Christian University and Marsha W. Harper, Abilene Christian University, will represent private institutions of higher education, and Martha C. Adamson of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in San Antonio will serve as member-at-large. Appointments are for staggered one-to-three year terms beginning September 1, 1997.
TexShare is a cooperative program for library service to students, faculty, and staff of Texas institutions of higher education and provides statewide licensing of databases and access to university library collections. Created in 1994 and recently expanded by the Texas Legislature, TexShare will now serve 184 institutions statewide, with an enrollment of 921,000 students.
“We are delighted to have such an interested and dedicated panel to contribute their expertise to this important service in the academic community,”commented Dr. Robert S. Martin, director and librarian of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
TSEL Awarded Top Internet Rating
The Texas State Electronic Library (TSEL), the Internet information server provided by the Texas State Library for Texas public libraries and the general public, has received the top rating of “four stars” by Magellan Internet Guide, an index service and subject listing search engine.
Magellan offers a database of approximately 40,000 rated and reviewed sites based on depth, ease of exploration, and “Net appeal.” The URL for TSEL is http://link.tsl.state.tx.us and the review on Magellan can be found at http://www.mckinley.com/
TLA Resolutions Address Telecom Concerns,
Honor Helpful Lawmakers
TLA Council adopted a dozen resolutions at Annual Assembly in Austin in July, including two concerning telecommunications connections for libraries and eight that honor friends of libraries in the Texas Legislature.
Both telecommunications-related resolutions originated in the TLA Telecommunications and Networked Technology Policy Committee. The first urged the Public Utility Commission of Texas to allow schools and libraries eligible for discounted telecommunications services to be able to take both state and federal discounts. Another resolution urged Southwestern Bell Corporation (SBC) to reconsider court action that would delay implementation of federal discounts for telecommunications services.
The TLA
Legislative Committee adopted and sent to Council eight resolutions honoring
legislators who demonstrated particular support of Texas libraries during the
75th legislative session that adjourned in early June. The resolutions, all
of which were adopted by Council, honor the following legislators:
Rep. Tony Goolsby, who sponsored the long overdue materials bill in the House, and Sen. Rodney Ellis, sponsor of the Senate companion bill. Neither bill passed, but both legislators worked actively for the passage of these bills.
Sen. Teel Bivins, Senate sponsor of the TexShare bill, which establishes the consortium in law and assigns administrative oversight of the project to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The House sponsor, Rep. Bob Hunter, had been honored for his support of libraries in a resolution adopted during the TLA annual conference in Fort Worth.
Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, sponsor of SB 1674, a bill that passed allowing voters to choose to create special library districts funded by sales tax. Rep. Terry Keel, who sponsored the House version, was also honored.
Rep. Henry Cuellar, who worked actively for libraries on many fronts during the legislative session, including ensuring that school libraries can participate in the $32 million appropriation to implement the Governor’s Reading Initiative.
Rep. Sherri Greenberg, who cosponsored the Governor’s Reading Initiative rider with Rep. Cuellar, also worked to support the district bill and other library initiatives.
Two other resolutions adopted by Council at Annual Assembly made changes in the TLA bylaws. One of these upgraded the Texas-Mexico Relations Committee from an ad hoc to a standing committee. The other resolution clarified that TLA staff members, rather than the Publications Committee, are responsible for setting advertising and subscription rates for the Texas Library Journal.
Awards Committee Seeks Nominations
The Texas Library Association Awards Committee is seeking nominations for 1998 TLA awards. These awards will be presented at the TLA annual conference in San Antonio next April. The committee is currently seeking nominations for the following awards:
- The Distinguished Service Award, given to a librarian who is a member of TLA in recognition of distinguished service to librarianship in Texas.
- Librarian of the Year, given to a member of TLA who has provided outstanding service in one or more areas of the library profession.
- Outstanding Services to Libraries Award, which recognizes outstanding lay advocates of libraries.
- Library Project of the Year, which recognizes the project that best exemplifies the highest levels of achievement, professional standards, and inspiration.
- Philanthropic Award, given in recognition of an outstanding, unique, or significant gift to a Texas library or libraries.
- Benefactor Award(s), given in recognition of substantial donations that are significant to libraries and their programs.
For further information, please contact the TLA office at 800/580-2852. Nominations should be sent to Karen Springer, TLA Awards Committee Chair, 11014 Chevy Chase Drive, Houston TX 77042-2414. To ensure consideration by the Awards Committee, nominations must be postmarked no later than January 6, 1998.
NMRT and Quality Books Announce Grants
All TLA members who are in their first five years of professional life are eligible for the Quality Books Inc. Professional Development Grant. The grant provides financial assistance to attend the TLA Annual Conference in San Antonio, April 1-4, 1998. The grant covers conference registration, travel expenses, lodging, and a $50 per diem, up to $1,000 of total expenses. Contact Leigh Kilman for applications at 512/245-2351 or by fax at 512/245-3002 (e-mail LK02@swt.edu). Also check the TLA web page this fall for NMRT information including grant application and guidelines. All applications must be postmarked or electronically delivered by January 9, 1998. This grant is sponsored by the New Members Round Table Endowment and Quality Books, Inc.
Texans Participate in Emerging Leaders Institute
Three Texans were selected as participants in the 1997 Emerging Leaders Institute held on June 25-27, 1997, in conjunction with the ALA conference in San Francisco. They were José Aguinaga of the University of Houston, Anthony Guardado of Angelo State University, and Adam Wright of the Houston Public Library.
Texans serving as coaches to the 25 participants included César Caballero of the University of Texas at El Paso, Brooke Sheldon of the University of Texas Graduate School of Library and Information Science, and Patricia Smith of the Texas Library Association.
Peggy Bradley, formerly director of the Howe Community Library, is now special services consultant with the Northeast Texas Library System in Garland.
Herb Canales, Corpus Christi’s director of public libraries, is one of five people nationwide selected to serve on a screening committee for the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Margaret Galloway has retired after 30 years of service with the University of North Texas Libraries in a variety of positions, including associate director of libraries.
Dexter Katzman, previously a branch librarian at Austin Public Library, has assumed the position of coordinator of the Texas Trans-Pecos Library System in El Paso.
Tina Mesa, formerly collection development librarian with the Alamo Area Library System, is now a sales representative for Brodart.
Sue Ridnour is now youth services librarian at the Frankford Village Branch of the Carrollton Libraries.
TLA Member Ann K. Symons is the president-elect of the American Library Association.
Jerilynn Williams, formerly the coordinator of the Houston Area Library System, is now the director of the Montgomery County Library System in Conroe.
Send your “Names in the News” to: Mark Smith at marks@txla.org
Briefs
Call for Contributed Papers
The 1998 Conference Program Committee seeks contributed papers for the annual
conference in San Antonio. Share with your colleagues innovative projects
or research in a paper that can be presented in a 20-minute period. Papers
may be prepared by no more than two persons.
Contact the Contributed Papers co-chairs at the addresses listed below to request forms, times and dates for further information. The Contributed papers form is due to the chairs by October 15, 1997.
William Mears
Alkek Library
Southwest Texas State University
San Marcos, TX 78666
512/245-2132 Fax: 512/245-3002
wm01@academia.swt.edu
Linda Thompson
University of Houston Libraries
Houston, TX 77204-2091
713/743-9808 Fax: 713/743-9811
LThompson@uh.edu
New Members Round Table Mentor Program
The TLA New Members Round Table invites you to participate in the NMRT Mentor
Program. The mentor program is a great way for new members to learn about
the association and for experienced members to share their experience. Sign
up now to participate in this exciting program.
____YES! I want to be a mentor -- I am interested in helping someone learn how to navigate TLA. I would like to be part of a New Members Round Table program that allows me to share my knowledge and experience with a new TLA member.
____YES! I want to have a mentor -- I would like to be part of a New Members Round Table program that matches me with a mentor to learn more about how TLA works and benefits its members.
Name __________________________________________________________________________
Institution _______________________________________________________________________
Position _________________________________________________________________________
Type of library ____________________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________________________
Phone ______________________________ E-mail ______________________________________
Area of professional knowledge/interest _________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Matches will be notified prior to the TLA Annual Conference and have the opportunity to formally meet at the NMRT Conference Orientation Program.
Return this form to: Sue Byron, UNT Libraries, PO Box 30519, Denton, TX 76203-5190, or email to sbyron@library.unt.edu.
