NEWSNOTESNEWSNOTESNEWSNOTES
Public Library Standards
In December 1997 the TLA executive board established the ad hoc Committee on Public Library Standards to create qualitative and quantitative standards for public library service in Texas. The purpose of these standards is to promote improved library service by raising the quality of service throughout the state, recommending a revision of minimum criteria for system membership, enhancing service levels that could be used to leverage local government support, and using measures that can help justify legislative aid for public libraries.
The ad hoc Committee has met several times during the last two years and held numerous public hearings to give all members of the Texas library community and the public an opportunity to participate in the process of creating these standards. The next open forum will be held during annual conference on April 14 in Houston.
School Library Grants
For the first time in their history, school libraries in Texas are eligible to receive state money to purchase library materials. The funds are included in the Texas Education Agency's budget in the form of a matching grant of up to 25 cents for the first dollar spent per pupil (or 25% of expenditures if less than one dollar per pupil) for school library materials.
Sponsored by Representative Henry Cuellar, the legislation is intended to help school libraries work towards meeting library standards and to provide them with the means to enhance collections at individual campuses. The total amount of the rider is set at $925,000 for each year in the biennium. This figure is based on an assumption that every district will spend at least a dollar for library materials per student and that every district will apply for the grant.
It is essential that librarians at every school library complete the grant application. Any portion of the fund that is not allocated by the deadline must be returned to the state. TEA has sent letters to all superintendents informing them of the grant and the application procedure. TEA has developed an interactive web site that allows districts to complete the application online by answering only four questions about library resources. To complete the application, librarians will need the User ID and password that were included in the letter. To apply, schools do not need to wait until they have spent all funds budgeted for library resources this year. As soon as school libraries have spent (i.e., paid out) $1.00 per pupil, they are eligible. The application is very simple and automatically computes the dollar amount libraries will receive. The grant opportunity provides librarians a context through which they can discuss district library needs and recommendations for library programs with district administrators.
This program signifies a major step in establishing legislative support for school libraries. While the grant amounts
will depend on the number of students in a given district, the funds are a vital beginning. As the library community
continues to marshal support for additional funding, the matching grant program gives school libraries the opportunity to
show legislators the benefits of investing in library materials. For additional information on the grants, visit
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/technology/libraries.
 |
Rotten Raffle in Progress A signed painting from Nicole Rubel's Wedding Bells for Rotten Ralph is being raffled to benefit the Texas Library Disaster Relief Fund. Tickets ($5) to win this delightful image of the "world's naughtiest cat" are available on the TLA website, in the latest TLACast, and at annual conference in April where Nicole Rubel will draw the winning ticket. http://www.txla.org/wells/gallery.html |
Reading License Plates
Texas can boast of two state license plate programs that promote libraries and reading. In a measure sponsored by Representative Jesse Jones of Dallas and State Senator David Bernsen of Beaumont, House Bill 1227 created a special "New Millennium" license plate to celebrate public libraries. The plate features the theme "Texas Reads" and will be unveiled during TLA's annual conference. Revenue from the sale of the license plate will support reading and literacy programs in Texas public libraries.
Representative Helen Giddings of Dallas and State Senator Bill Ratliff of Mount Pleasant sponsored House Bill 3551 which redirected proceeds from the sale of "Read to Succeed" license plates from reading diagnostic projects to the purchase of library materials. Representative Giddings was the featured speaker at the TLA 1999 Annual Assembly during which time she recounted her memories of libraries and discussed the value of reading.
The newer of these initiatives, "Texas Reads" was developed over the last six months through a combined effort from Representative Jones and his staff, Texas State Library and Archives Commission staff, TLA members, and students. The license plate's design is based on the artwork of Claudia Martinez, a Dallas seventh grader, whose drawing was selected from over 100 entries from across the state.
The license plate will be available for purchase by late spring thanks to the support of the Tocker Foundation.
The Foundation is providing a deposit to guarantee the production of the plates. This action was critical to the project since
the Texas Department of Transportation, the manufacturer, requires either a minimum of 3,500 orders
or a deposit before production can begin. The Tocker Foundation's sponsorship makes possible the immediate
availability of the plates.
Information on purchasing the license plates will be available during annual conference at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission's table at the Community Library Festival. Also, check http://www.tsl.state.tx.us for updates.
100 Texas Library Champions
As TLA prepares for its 100th anniversary in 2002, the ad hoc Centennial Celebration Committee seeks your input in identifying 100 Texas library champions. From librarians to legislators and lay advocates to benefactors, we urge you to help us identify those individuals who played a key role in shaping libraries and library services in Texas. The committee will review all nominations and will select the top 100 candidates.
You are invited to submit as many nominations as you would like. If you know of someone who has made a lasting contribution to Texas libraries in the last 100 years, please let us know. Send an email message to MIN0001@unt.edu with the subject line "100 Texas Library Champions." Include your name, institution, and email along with the name of your nominee. All nominations must include a statement of 25 words or less detailing the individual's contribution or significance. The nomination deadline is December 1, 2000.
Once the committee selects the 100 Champions, they will contact the nominator for additional information. A retrospective of these library champions will be published during our centennial year.
Two students who received Spectrum Scholarships from the American Library Association supplemented by funds from the Texas Library Association are now attending library school in Texas institutions. Maria Gonzalez and Sandra Scruggs are both enrolled at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at The University of Texas at Austin.
The Spectrum Scholarship supports the recruitment of culturally diverse individuals into the library profession. By helping to partially subsidize graduate education, the Spectrum initiative helps not only to prepare future librarians, but it also gives enterprising and energetic people the opportunity to bring their individual experiences into the library profession. Both of this year's recipients are actively involved in professional events and have a history of public service.
Maria Gonzalez came to the United States from Cuba in 1960; she received her B.A. cum laude from University of California at Los Angeles in anthropology and studied architecture at Kent State University. While working as a business development manager in Seattle, she also participated on numerous city boards and groups including the Planning Commission of the City of Seattle, the Design Review Board, the board of AIDS Housing of Washington, and the Seattle Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. She is a 1989-1990 alumna of Leadership Tomorrow.
In 1999 Maria moved to Austin to realize a long time dream of earning her master's degree in library and information science. In addition to the MLIS, she is pursuing a certificate of specialization in preservation administration. Her special interests are Latin American materials, outreach, and academic libraries. She is currently assisting with the selection of Cuban serials and the processing of print materials acquired by the Benson Latin American Collection at UT. She was accepted recently into the mentoring program at the UT General Libraries and is exploring interlibrary lending administration, networks, and technology.
Sandra E. Scruggs, a native of El Paso, received her under-graduate degree from Southern Methodist University where she majored in science and political science. After her graduation, Sandra worked with arts organizations, software companies, and document preservation services. She hopes to focus her professional energies on becoming a school librarian. Her areas of interest center on methods for helping students set goals and identify career choices. Her academic work emphasizes instruction and reading, multi-media resources, and student interaction. Her objective is to use her academic training and work experience to focus on the needs of middle and high school students.
Sandra augments her graduate education with a strong participation in library
events. She will be a panel member of the Big XII Plus 2000 Conference
on Diversity, which will be held in Austin, April 3-4, 2000. She serves as a
member of the leadership committee in the Border Regional Library Association
and participates with several TLA and ALA groups, including the Black Caucus,
Children's Round Table, and Young Adult Round Table. Sandra has great enthusiasm
for her professional affiliations and looks forward to earning her master's
degree and specializing in learning resources.
The Century Scholarship, an
annual award established in 1999 by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative
Library Agencies of the American Library Association, is soliciting applications.
This scholarship assists students with disabilities to attend ALA-accredited
library school programs and become active library and information science professionals.
The scholarship will be awarded to a recipient or recipients for the first time
at the ALA conference in Chicago in July 2000.
Interested parties must submit an application by April 1, 2000. For additional information, visit http://www.ala.org/ascla/centuryscholarship.html.
|
Chili Cook-Off Warms Yankee Hearts The TLA-ALA sponsored Chili Cook-Off fundraiser drew a huge crowd of ALA Midwinter attendees. An initiative to help fund TLA's and ALA's Spectrum Scholarships, the Chili Cook-Off earned over $4,000. Over 20 participants from all over the country stewed, simmered, spiced, sautéed, and stirred their way to chili nirvana. From hot Texas concoctions to New England maple syrup, from Mexican flavors to Boston recipes, the chili mixtures offered a delicious albeit messy variety of textures, tastes, and spices. The winning entry was selected by the time-honored method of buying votes. For every four chili tickets purchased, an attendee could cast one vote. ALA President Sarah Long, TLA President Gleniece A. Robinson, and TLA President-Elect Julie Todaro were on hand to present awards and thank all the entrants, including winners Em Claire Knowles and Sheila Itner from the library science program at Simmons University in Boston. Although Texans want a rematch, everyone conceded the point that anyone who travels 1000 miles with gallons of chili certainly deserves top honors! Special thanks to Nancy Gandara, Craig Zapatos, Ana Hartnett, Sonia Isaac, Rhonda Davila, and Matt DeWaelsche for their help in sponsoring the chili cook-off at the San Antonio Public Library. Other TLA volunteers were Mary and Charles McAfee, Richard and June Berry, Judie Lutz, Irene Hoadley, Carol and Kenneth Bartz, Linda Garrett, Gay Patrick, Danita Barber-Owusu, Liz Haynes, June Koelker, Sue Compton, Jo Ann Rogers, Jana Knezek, Cathy Hartman, Amy Shaffer, Carolyn Reynolds, Cathy Campbell, Velvet New, Mary Ann Emerson, Patricia Smith, and Mendell Morgan. In addition to entries from Steve Brown and David Smith, other Texas entrants were Ruth Semrau and Scherel Carver, Cindy Boyle, Gloria Meraz, Robert Martin, James Stewart, Ana Hartnett, and library school students from The University of Texas at Austin Graduate School of Library and Information Science. |
 |