President's Perspective
Barbara Immroth

Joe McCord and the members of the 1997 Conference Program & Local Arrangements Committees outdid themselves by providing a wonderful opportunity for continuing education, networking and exploring our profession. Many thanks to each of you for a splendid Fort Worth conference. TLA has outgrown the conference facilities in Fort Worth; we were bursting at the seams with more than 7,250 attendees -- exceeding attendance at two ALA divisional conferences, AASL and ACRL.

"Texas Libraries: Local Touch, Global Reach" is the theme for the 1998 conference. The Austin-based Program Committee co-chaired by Jo Anne Hawkins and Brenda Branch and the San Antonio Local Arrangements Committee chaired by June Garcia are hard at work planning a spectacular meeting. My TLA goals for the coming year encompass the past, present, and future. With the TLA centennial right around the corner, a Centennial Celebration committee is forming to plan festivities to celebrate the achievements of TLA's first hundred years and get the second hundred off to a grand start. The History of TLA Committee, co-chaired by Charles Harrell and Erma J. Loveland, is collecting and documenting the association's history and planning publications to highlight our accomplishments. A second project for the coming year is building the endowment of the Elizabeth Crabb Fund so that we can begin using the proceeds to prepare for the next legislative session. Along with her many other friends, I miss Elizabeth, her piercing insights and passionate dedication. I hope we will honor her by funding this worthwhile project in her memory. Doug Manning has agreed to spearhead the effort to accomplish this goal.

On a lighter note, the Doo-Wop Sock Hop with the Elvis impersonator in Fort Worth was a relaxed event that raised money for the Crabb Fund. Be on the lookout for a similar Doo-Wop event in San Antonio. Building on past strengths for a stronger future requires hard work and planning. TLA has a carefully created strategic plan. During the coming year, the Executive Board members, along with the unit and committee chairs, will be monitoring the implementation of the plan and the articulation of ongoing activities within the plan.

Until the conclusion of the session, I will be eagerly reading the TLA-Texline messages about the progress through the legislature of the TLA legislative program. The Legislative Committee, Joe Dahlstrom and Ruth Semrau, Chairs, with the able guidance of Sam Stone, Mark Smith, Pat Smith, and many involved TLA members, have been 'making things happen' for Texas libraries. Give yourselves a pat on the back for work well-done and keep on working with your legislator. Rhoda Goldberg, incoming chair of the restructured Legislative Committee, will be in touch about future activities.

The Publications Committee is busier than ever checking on unit Web sites and keeping the electronic publications within association guidelines along with working on the print publications.

Thanks to all TLA members who have volunteered to serve on committees, those who have accepted appointments, and those for whom there wasn't a space this year. I encourage you to work on your district and unit projects to support Texas libraries and expand our local touch and global reach. It is gratifying that so many people are eager to serve in a volunteer capacity to make TLA the great organization it is.

When Joe McCord passed the TLA ceremonial gavel to me at the end of the Fort Worth conference, I knew that I was beginning a very exciting year. I look forward to working with you at Annual Assembly and seeing you at your fall district meeting. Hasta luego!