President's Perspective:
Building the House of Inclusiveness

It is not often that I would sport a hard hat for any reason other than to tour the $6.9 million expansion project under way at the Fort Worth Public Library, but this hat also speaks of my personal commitment and drive as a builder. Should you remember nothing else about association happenings this year, I am adamant that you remember me as a builder. My goal, not only for the association, but the goal which directs my life is to build better worlds - worlds of alliances, of coalitions, of teams, and partnerships.

At the membership meeting, I introduced my goals for the year by describing the building of a house 
a house called "Inclusiveness." This House of Inclusiveness brings the membership closer as types of libraries, districts, systems, and school regions as well as partners with museums, cultural institutions, city departments, and community organizations. Supported by strong lay involvement and participation, these groups create the rooms in the House of Inclusiveness. The frame of the house consists of all TLA committees, units, roundtables, divisions, interest groups, and affiliates.

Leadership is the foundation of the house as it supports the structure and the rooms. Leadership is characterized by accountability, courage, foresight, and integrity. Exercising these qualities, committee leaders are expected to forge ahead, seizing opportunities to further enhance and promote library services in Texas.

The roof of this house is Accessibility, making one's self available to the membership, to the users, and to the library community at large in an effort to be both responsive and responsible as leaders.

The House of Inclusiveness translates into the following goals:

• To use my President's Column in the Texas Library Journal to highlight the activities of districts, divisions, systems, and school regions as well as partnerships with museums and cultural institutions.
• To encourage lay involvement and participation through increased committee assignments.
• To assist in developing and implementing a plan to aid committee chairs in carrying out their roles as leaders representing the membership and the association.
• To seek the support of the Executive Board and committee chairs as we make ourselves more accessible to TLA members in an effort to be responsible and responsive leaders.
• To plan for the successful realization of the TLA 2000 Annual Conference with an emphasis on lay involvement and increased public awareness of libraries and library services.

As we progress through this year ushering in a new century, assume your responsibilities, exercise them with integrity and let us together continue to build the House of Inclusiveness.

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