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The Power of One is a 1992 movie telling about how one child growing into a self proclaimed adult could be part of making a difference. While the main theme of the movie had to do with a white South African child growing up with the atrocities of apartheid, its message to me is that while we are all a part of something greater than we areboth good and badwe have the power to affect change in our organizations and communities both now and in the future. We can make a profound difference when we play our personal and professional roles with passion and energy.
It is in this spirit of passion and energy that we see the birth of our annual conferences. As I write this final column for the conference issue of the Texas Library Journal, I feel honored and proud to be a part of bringing life to the 1999 TLA Annual Conference, "Libraries Linking Centuries," taking place in Dallas, April 20-23.
From the opening day of pre-conferences, meetings and a Welcome Party at the Museum of African-American Art and Culture throughout the more than 200 programs to the closing luncheon with Tish Hinojosa, 8,000 Texas librarians and library supporters will consider where libraries have been, but more importantly where libraries are and where they will be in the century ahead. They are literally that place that contains the fountain of know-ledge and wisdom, that place that houses "kings and queens, popes and presidents." The conference will officially begin with an opening morning session where Margaret Wheatley will share her insightful views on organizational behavior. The awards program promises to be different and unique as the recipients and their work is spotlighted. At high noon, the grand opening of our ever popular Grand Exhibit Hall will take place followed by President-Elect Gleniece Robinson's party and reception at Dallas Public and the President's All-Conference Social at Union Station. The second general session will feature Michio Kaku, who will stimulate our thinking about the way technology will change life as we know it in the 21st century. Book lovers can revel in the opportunities they have to hear and see awe inspiring and award winning authors like Katherine Paterson, Jean Craighead George, and Paul Zelinski. They will conclude the day on Thursday when they dine with authors Rudolfo Anaya, William Bernhardt, Jim Magnuson, Javaka Steptoe, Pat Mora, and Tomie dePaola at "An Evening with the Authors" and hear them read from their works.
The Conference Planners and TLA staff have conscientiously worked to create an atmosphere in which we will feel educated, entertained, inspired and motivated. Program tracks have been added for preservation and archives and distance learning. We wanted to provide you with a balance of programming from birth to the rocking chair, from school to public to academic and to special libraries. We have a veritable who's who of renowned authors and powerful speakers and presenters. Where else can you go to have your minds and your hearts fed and nourished by such stimulating and entertaining speakers?
You'll rise early and you'll stay late. You'll wish you were two or three people so you wouldn't have to make choices from among the vast array of hour-by-hour programming and the 700 exhibitors, who will be displaying and presenting the latest, the best and the most popular products, equipment, software, media and books. You'll see and talk to hundreds of friends and colleagues as you scurry from place to place, and you will have the opportunity to socialize with them at the Welcome Party, the President's Party, the first ever "Evening with the Authors", dinner, and at our President-Elect's coming out party.
In this issue of TLJ, and on the front page of the January 1999 issue of TLACast, you will find articles on the TLA 1999 Annual Conference hosted by Big D. Be on the lookout for the Preliminary Conference Program, "Libraries Linking Centuries." I look forward to seeing friends, colleagues, and celebrities at this outstanding conference in a city that knows no equal.