Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Newsletter The most recent edition features information about opportunities for member input, families needing libraries, the call for program manual submissions, and library success stories. Read the CSLP newsletter online or subscribe and receive it in…
Upcoming Events and Training Opportunities Texas Youth Services Listening Sessions I will be hosting a series of Listening Sessions for library staff serving youth. I will quickly share some announcements but want most of the time to be hearing from you! Please come prepared to brag on your accomplishments and workshop how to handle the challenges. These…
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is pleased to announce that the FY 2025 Family Place Libraries™ Project grant application opens on Tuesday, September 3, 2024! TSLAC is looking for qualified libraries to attend a Family Place Libraries™ Training Institute at the new Cedar Park Public Library in Cedar Park, Texas, and implement…
As if spurred by the August heat, the tempo picked up for the second number—a dizzying duo of days in which I visited small public libraries, toured their spaces, and chatted with their leadership about how the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) could best support them. Workforce Development Consultant Maria Freed stepped up…
The Broadband Development Office (BDO) established the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) to provide additional resources to communities that need help with broadband planning. The program aids local governments and communities by providing assistance to identify local broadband development opportunities and prepare for forthcoming state and federal funds. Greg Conte, director of the Texas Broadband Development…
Devices and internet accessibility are two crucial necessities to help close the digital divide. As difficult as it can be for libraries to pull together those resources, it’s often still not enough, as patrons often lack the digital literacy skills to use the devices or connect to the internet. TSLAC’s Library Digital Opportunity team recently…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Newsletter The most recent edition features information about upcoming opportunities for member input and the summer sale. Read the CSLP newsletter online or subscribe and receive it in your inbox each month. TSLAC Family Place Libraries…
In July, I kicked off the first in a series of day-long turns around clusters of small public libraries to tour their spaces and chat about how the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) can best support their leadership. This round, the fancy feet of Continuing Education and Consulting Team Manager Katherine Adelberg accompanied…
New Youth Services Consultant My name is Katelyn Patterson, and I am so excited to be joining TSLAC as the Youth Services Consultant. I have been working as a youth services librarian in public libraries for over a decade. I already know many of you from my time as the Youth Services Consultant with the…
As I watch the sun set from the train’s window seat and the gently rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country are replaced by the flatter terrain of the Prairie and Lakes Region, I mentally inventory my utility belt in preparation for the adventure ahead—serving as a moderator for the Get Graphic track at the…
Lately, digital literacy has become a trending topic of discussion. Digital literacy can have a lot of different meanings, but the most common definition is “the ability to use digital devices, like smartphones and computers, to evaluate, and communicate information.” It’s a combination of technical and cognitive skills that allow people to use information and…
The digital literacy movement is making some of the greatest strides in Amarillo, Texas, of all places. Known as “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” Amarillo conjures images of the rugged, Old West spirit, the iconic Route 66, and the grandeur of the Palo Duro Canyon. There used to be a joke that Amarillo had more…
The Library Development and Networking Division is your partner in serving the community by connecting you to our library management services. Here are the tools that can help you stay one step ahead! Library Management Services Website – This suite of webpages is the online home for evergreen information about our library management services including…
Passing on an update from FEMA’s Heritage Emergency National Task Force. Dear Texas Colleagues, I hope you and your loved ones are continuing to stay safe from the impacts of the recent severe weather. Counties for the major disaster declaration (4798 | FEMA.gov) have been approved for Individual Assistance (Designated Areas | FEMA.gov). Please see…
The numbers are bleak. One in every three adults in Harris County functions at the lowest levels of literacy. That means they don’t have the basic reading and digital skills necessary to function on the job, in the family, and across society. Harris County, with 28% of adults reading at or below level one (out…
