TLA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2000 TLA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2000
It's Your Library
At the beginning of a new century, the library community works in a complex environment of telecommunications and technologies. The 8,000 librarians who will attend the Texas Library Association Annual Conference in Houston represent many different libraries, settings, and areas of specialization. Yet, they share a core set of functions that underlies the framework of technologies and practices used to deliver information services. Their work remains one of human progress and shared commitment to working together. As we approach Annual Conference 2000, the library community is strong and committed to teaching, learning, and advancing.
Legions of librarians and library supporters will participate in preconferences,
programs, social events, meetings, and networking activities that set the stage
for statewide action. From improving collections to collaborating with local
agencies and from managing changing organizations to diversity issues, conference
programs will give attendees the opportunity to learn about recent developments
and concerns in the profession. The 250 programs,
the exhibit hall featuring over 700 booths, and the atmosphere of energy and
professionalism are representative of the high hopes of the Texas library community.
The gathering celebrates the ongoing role of libraries
by anticipating a dynamic future and emphasizing longstanding values. "It's
Your Library" sums up the programs at conference and speaks to the broader
role libraries play within their communities. Fusing professional and public
forums as never before, Conference 2000 sets the stage for another 100 years
of innovation.
Annual conference starts in high gear with preconferences covering numerous topics from advocacy planning and public outreach to storytelling and children's learning activities. Other topics include developing leadership skills in academic libraries, improving learning through cognitive research, building influence in school libraries, creating Geographic Information Systems solutions, and designing top online instructional resources. Tuesday will also offer programs on authority control and genealogical research. These preconferences give attendees a selection that addresses the needs of all types of libraries and all phases of library service.
This year's dynamic speakers blend issues of advocacy, social responsibility,
and ethnic awareness with the changing world of information and library service.
The conference opens on Wednesday, April 12, with a morning general session
featuring
Juan Williams, one of the foremost political analysts and journalists in American.
He probes the value of information in a world of decreasing barriers and the
role of libraries in a global community. First Lady of Texas Laura Bush will
also lend her presence to Wednesday's general session where she will recognize
the winners of this year's Texas Book Festival Awards. Thursday features Marian
Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund. She advocates
for greater understanding of our duty to nurture children as we embark on our
mission of providing information services. Then on Friday, internationally-acclaimed
author Carmen Tafolla creates a mosaic of barrio voices at the closing luncheon.
Other featured speakers throughout the conference include the award-winning children's book team of Gloria and Jerry Pinkney, copyright specialists Laura Gasaway and Georgia Harper, American Library Association president Sarah Long, George Bush biographer Bill Minutaglio, and acclaimed novelist Daniel Quinn.
Many authors and speakers attending this year's conference will be scattered among the tables at the popular Evening with the Authors dinner and literary event. Among those reading from their works will be David L. Lindsey, Mary Willis Walker, and Lionel G. Garcia. An author will be seated at each table at this exciting event to be held at the Hyatt hotel.
Programs and Events
Library leaders, authors, and industry experts will offer over 250 programs. Once again, speakers at TLA represent the top of the library profession in Texas and throughout the country. ALA President Sarah Long brings her message to Texas in "Libraries Build Communities" (Wednesday, April 12. 4-4:50 pm); and Emily Sheketoff, head of ALA's Washington office, talks about advocacy from "City Hall to Capitol Hill" (Wednesday, April 12, 2-2:50 pm). AASL and YALSA executive director Julie Walker traces "Information Power: Vision Into Reality" (Wednesday, April 12, 1-1:50 pm); Julie Cummins, coordinator of children's services at The New York Public Library assesses "Trends and Controversy in Children's Picture Books" (Wednesday, April 12, 4-4:50 pm); Ken Haycock from the University of British Columbia covers strategies for teacher-librarian cooperation (Thursday, April 13, 8-9:50 am); and Texas State Librarian Peggy Rudd discusses "The Digital Divide" (Friday, April 14, 10-11:50 am).
Other programs offer a look at topics that affect libraries of every type. Gary Hartzell explores workplace interactions and building influence (Wednesday, April 12, 10:15-11:50 am). In "Freedom To Speak at the Speed of Light," Christopher Sullivan discusses books, the Internet, and the First Amendment. Judy Card, staff development officer from the Memphis-Shelby County Public Library, outlines strategies for maximizing staff development (Thursday, April 13, 12-12:50 pm); ALA diversity officer Sandra Balderrama (Wednesday, April 12, 4-5:50 pm) and East Cleveland Public Library director Gregory Reese (Thursday, April 13, 10-11:50 am) offer approaches to diversity recruitment; and e-journals is the topic of a panel discussion (Thursday, April 13, 2-3:50 pm) which includes Carol McAdams, executive director of JSTOR, and Texans Dennis Dillon, Paul Dumont, Gene Rollins, and Mark Williams.
Another important component of TLA annual conference is, of course, the opportunity to socialize and have fun. Houston's festivities cover big parties, recreational activities, and special events. The all-conference Welcome Party kicks off conference on Tuesday, April 11, at Houston's Museum of Fine Arts where attendees will have the opportunity to view "The Golden Age of Chinese Archaeology: Celebrated Discoveries from the People's Republic of China" as well as MFAH's famed permanent collections. On Thursday night, the Storytelling Concert presents an evening of stories that transcend time, culture, and language. In addition to these events, annual conference will once again host some favorite gatherings, including the Hetherington Fun Walk/Run, the Doo-Wop Sock Hop, TPALS Golf Tournament, and walking tours of downtown architecture.
Topping this off, Wednesday night will feature a first ever event for TLA: the Community Library Festival. Authors, storytellers, performers, vendors, librarians, and members of the community will come together for a variety of programs and presentations celebrating libraries. The highlight of the evening will be a special musical enactment of King Island Christmas. Performed by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir of Houston under the direction of Robert Simpson, this musical event is a play about the collective power of a community. A panel discussion following the play will include ALA past president Ann Symons, the composer and the librettist of the musical work, and author Jean Rogers.
Exhibits & Authors AREA
The 21st century is here. If you have any doubt, you need look only as far as the TLA exhibit hall, the second largest library tradeshow in the world. With over 450 vendors in 700 plus booths, the library profession comprises a complex range of functions, technologies, and resources. The exhibit hall gives you access to publishers, software vendors, distributors, automation technologies, furniture and shelving companies, online services, preservation services providers, management consultants, security systems, and many more.
Through programs and the author's area in the exhibit hall, attendees will have the chance to meet many of their favorite authors. Some of this year's authors include Carmen Agra Deedy, Kevin Henkes, David Schwartz, Donna Jo Napoli, Jeanette Ingold, Beatrice Orcutt Harrell, and Douglas Wood. Other popular children's and young adult authors who will be at annual conference are Bruce Coville, Anastasia Suen, Kimberly Willis Holt, Jon Agee, and Gail Carson Levine. Favorite adult authors attending conference include Joe Lansdale, Joan Lowery Nixon, Diane Gonzales Bertrand, and Ruth Pennebaker.
Plan now to join your colleagues in Houston for an unparalleled opportunity to learn, network, and prepare for the future in library service.