As we consider the role of volunteers in public libraries, the following scenario illustrates how well-intentioned community engagement can reveal the risks of operating without a clear volunteer policy. The Gotham Public Library—a fictional, small, rural library in Texas—relies heavily on volunteers to remain open six days a week. Because Director Barbara Gordon knows nearly…
Every September, a familiar rhythm returns: a new state fiscal year begins, the school year hits its stride, and libraries nationwide celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month. It’s a time to invite people of all ages to get a free library card and discover the wealth of resources, services, and opportunities waiting for them. You can…
Join us for a free in-person workshop near you! TSLAC is bringing Advanced De-escalation Skills sessions to 12 locations across Texas. Led in-person by experienced clinical educator and consultant Marty Reinsel, this hands-on workshop builds on our 2025 series to help public-facing staff manage challenging interactions with confidence and care. Register for a Workshop Near…
For many people, technology can remove barriers and make everyday tasks easier. But finding the right technology, and getting a chance to try it before investing in it, can be a challenge. That’s where libraries can play an important role. In Pottsboro, the public library (service population 4,150) has partnered with the Texas Technology Access…
For more than three decades, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has invested in the success of Texas libraries of every size. One of its most impactful professional development initiatives has been the Small Library Management Training Program (SLM), created in 1994 to provide practical management training for library staff serving small communities.…
What does a community need from its library? At Fort Bend County Libraries, the answer doesn’t always come from a staff meeting or a strategic planning document. Sometimes it comes from a survey. Sometimes it comes from a conversation with a patron. And sometimes, it comes from two high school students who simply decide that…
Community-Centered Library Connections: Three Texas Stories of Libraries Leading with Purpose Libraries are often at their best when they help communities see new possibilities in the places they already call home. Whether connecting families with the wildlife in a nearby bay, turning a library card into a gateway to community experiences, or creating welcoming spaces…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. The views and opinions of these organizations do not necessarily represent the views of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. 2026 Disaster Preparedness Forum September 3-24 | Register For Disaster Preparedness Month, the National Network of Libraries…
For the residents of Rio Grande City and Starr County, a Smithsonian learning experience may soon be as close as their local public library. The Rio Grande City Public Library has been selected as one of just 16 public libraries nationwide to participate in the inaugural Smithsonian Associates Rural Library Program, and it is the…
Social media can be so much more just than a place to post the monthly program calendar. It can be an important tool to show people what happens inside the library, introduce them to the staff who make it happen, celebrate patrons and community partners, and give the library a personality that extends beyond its…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Walmart Spark Good Local Grants August 1 – November 30, 2026 Each year, Walmart U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs, and Distribution Centers award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5,000. Local grants are designed to support local organizations…
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is pleased to announce that grant applications for the fiscal year 2027 Family Place Libraries™ Project will open on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. TSLAC is looking for qualified libraries to attend a Family Place Libraries™ Training Institute to be hosted at a public library in central Texas and…
Join us for a free in-person workshop near you! TSLAC is bringing Advanced De-escalation Skills sessions to 12 locations across Texas. Led in-person by experienced clinical educator and consultant Marty Reinsel, this hands-on workshop builds on our 2025 series to help public-facing staff manage challenging interactions with confidence and care. Register for a Workshop Near…
On any given day at Silsbee Public Library, a tutor might be helping a student prepare for an exam while, just a few feet away, someone attends a telehealth appointment, interviews for a new job, or joins a work meeting. It’s all happening in two privacy booths purchased through a Library Infrastructure Facility Improvement (LIFI)…
For many older adults, technology has become unavoidable. Doctor’s appointments are booked online. Government forms are digital. Job applications require computer skills. Even staying connected with family often means learning how to navigate smartphones, email, and video calls. For libraries, helping patrons build these skills has become just as important as helping them find books.…