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by June Berry
A quick scan of the table of contents reveals that we are talking about leadership in this issue. In the Texas Library Association, we have been blessed with leaders that guided the course for the early years and an ensuing generation that took the leadership reins without a hitch. A third generation awaits with the advent of the TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute. I have every optimism about the future for our association and for librarianship as I see the quality of persons ready and eager to serve and lead in the workplace, in the national arena, and in TLA.
Leadership is sometimes very overt but more often, it is unobserved. I believe that we have several types of leaders, those who seem to be automatically selected by their peers as spokespersons, committee chairs, and officers. But watch for the unsung leaders, the second group, those who fill committee meetings with their quiet good sense and with the ability to keep the committee on focus. These are role-models that we should praise and emulate in the appropriate situations. Let us celebrate the vast array of personalities and leadership styles in our profession and take advantage of the variety of gifts of talent. It is time for our profession to take charge of its future, and it is the leaders both in front of the camera and behind who will make the difference.
This issue is filled with the writings and comments of leaders
of long standing in TLA ? Brooke Sheldon, Julie Todaro, James Stewart, Mary
D. Lankford, Bonnie Juergens, and Dale Cluff. We are fortunate to have Maureen
Sullivan, one of the facilitators of the TALL Texans Leadership Development
Institute, as a contributor. Maureen brings much to the table as a leader on
the national scene. Suzanne Monroe reminds us of the importance of the literacy
issue and how we can identify role-models in literature to reinforce the positive
effects of reading and the influence of the library profession. Tish Mulkey
and Tina Oswald reveal their memories about the TALL Texans Leadership Institute
from the mentor's and participant's perspectives. Enjoy the photos from the
Institute and make sure that you are a nominee next year.
The TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute has brought an assurance to TLA about continuity in leadership. We are growing our own leaders for the Texas workplace and the Association. I am excited and encouraged at the conclusion of each Institute. The future is bright. Now it's time for you to climb aboard the leadership train.
June Kahler Berry is project manager for the TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute. She also is a lecturer at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at The University of Texas at Austin.