NEWS NOTES

Assembly Resolutions Praise 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.

SBEC Appoints TLA Members to Advisory Committee on School Librarian Certification

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.

State Library Appoints First TexShare Advisory Board

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 re- cently expanded by the Texas Legislature, TexShare will now serve 184 institutions statewide, with an enrollment of 921,000 students.

Nominations Sought for TLA Awards

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.

Other Awards

NMRT/Quality Books Professional Development Grant. 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.

Stipends. The $250 Escue stipend is available for a paraprofessional living or working in the Austin/South Texas region. Stipends are awarded to defray the costs of attending the TLA Annual Conference in San Antonio, April 1-4, 1998. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than January 31, 1998. Requests for information and completed applications on the Escue Stipend can be addressed to Daniel H. Jones, Chair, TLA Scholarship & Research Committee, Briscoe Library-University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive San Antonio, TX 78284-7940.

The Children’s Round Table and the Texas Association of School Librarians joint Scholarship Committee will award stipends of $400 for librarians involved in youth service, either in a school or public library in Texas. Deadline for application is December 15, 1997. Requests for information and completed applications can be directed to: Donna Pohl, Education Service Center Region XV, P.O. Box 5199, San Angelo, TX 76902.

The Public Libraries Division of the Texas Library Association will make available four stipends of $375 each to help defray the costs of attending the TLA Annual Conference in San Antonio. The stipends are available for public library employees without a Masters Degree in Library Science or its equivalent and who have not attended a TLA Conference before. Applications for conference stipends must be submitted by December 15, 1997, to Karen Sheehan, PLD Scholarship Committee Chair, Houston Public Library, 500 McKinney Street, TX 77002.

The Automation and Technology Round Table of the Texas Library Association will make available two stipends of $400 each for library employees who are involved in library automation and technology services to attend a TLA Conference. The deadline for this application is December 15, 1997.

Scholarships. The TLA Scholarship and Research Committee also coordinates the availability of a number of scholarships to members pursuing a Masters of Library Science.

The Ray C. Janeway Scholarship of $2,000 is available to a Texas resident who has attained at least a B average during the last two years of a baccalaureate program and has been accepted as a graduate student to a Texas ALA-accredited library education program.

The TLA Summer School Scholarship of $500 is available for a graduate student who is pursuing a M.L.S. degree during summer sessions only at a Texas ALA-accredited library education program. The applicant must be a Texas resident who attained at least a B average during the last two years of a baccalaureate degree program.

The Garrett Scholarship of $1,000 is available to a Texas resident who concentrates his or her studies in children’s, young adult or school librarianship. The applicant must be a Texas resident who attained at least a B average during the last two years of a baccalaureate degree program and has been accepted as a graduate student at a Texas ALA-accredited library education program. This scholarship is awarded in alternate years and will next be awarded in 1999.

The Van Dusen Scholarship of $1,000 is available to a Texas resident who is pursuing graduate studies leading to a career as an elementary school or children’s librarian. The applicant must be a Texas resident who attained at least a B average during the last two years of a baccalaureate degree program and has been accepted as a graduate student at a Texas ALA-accredited library education program. This scholarship is awarded in alternate years and will next be awarded in 1998.

Completed applications for the above scholarships including transcripts and letters of reference must be postmarked no later than February 15, 1998, and may be sent to: Daniel H. Jones, Chair, TLA Scholarship & Research Committee, Briscoe Library-University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78284-7940.

The Texas Association of School Librarians is offering three scholarships this year. The first is a $500 educational grant for university course work leading to certification as a school librarian. The others are $250 stipends for attendance at the 1998 TLA conference. Application deadline is February 1, 1998. For further information and applications contact Scholarship Chair Janice Richardson, 18215 Lura Lane, Jonestown, TX 78645.

More information on these and other awards, including applications, may be found at the TLA web site at http://www.txla.org. From the main menu select "Services, Membership and Benefits."

TIF Board to Fund Public Library Internet Connections

The Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board (TIF) has announced the availability of approximately $7.7 million in noncompetitive grants to Texas public libraries for new Internet connections for use by the general public. Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded for the purchase of computer equipment and related telecommunications costs.

Public libraries throughout the state are eligible for these grants if they have not previously received a grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for the same purpose. Future TIF initiatives will address such issues as public libraries with inadequate connections, community college connectivity, collaborative community network development, training, and other needs of the library community.

TIF is encouraging applicants to investigate joint venture opportunities with local schools, community colleges, not for profit healthcare providers, and other community entities. Collaborations of this type will help leverage and sustain TIF funds, as well as increase community access.

The text of the guidelines for the public library applications can be found on the TIF Board’s web page at http://www.tifb.state.tx.us/rfp/1997/lib/library.html.

Austin Residents Rally to Keep Riverside Branch Open

An announcement by Austin City Manager Jesus Garza that the Riverside Branch in Southeast Austin would close on October 1, 1998, drew a strong protest not only from branch patrons, but residents across the city as well. In a meeting August 26, and in a series of articles and letters to the editor in the Austin American-Statesman, residents challenged the city’s decision to close the branch. The irate library patrons have also started a web page and a petition drive to solicit support for the branch. Closing the branch would save the city $192,000 per year. Like other branches east of IH 35, the Riverside Branch serves a largely black and hispanic population, many of whom use materials in the library only keeping circulation statistics low. Malcolm Yeatts, president of a local neighborhood association speculated to the Statesman that "It seems the City Council is casting about for ways to save money, and they’re looking for areas they feel won’t be protested much. That’s one reason Riverside was chosen."

At press time, the fate of the branch was undecided.

Bluebonnet Award Video Available

A video tape of the 1997 Texas Bluebonnet Award acceptance speech by Jon Scieszka can be ordered from the Texas Education Agency. Institutions that wish to obtain tapes should follow the procedure below:

1. Send a blank 60 minute 1/2" VHS video cassette tape.

2. Enclose a letter requesting duplication.

3. Enclose a return label with your address.

4. Enclose return postage (three 32-cent stamps)

The video may be ordered from: Video Center, Texas Education Agency, 1701 N. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701-1494.