As part of our effort to make sure you know the staff here at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC), we periodically highlight staff members that you may at some point come in contact with. For our first staff highlight of 2022, I interviewed Maria Freed, Workforce Development Consultant.
What are your job responsibilities at TSLAC?
In a nutshell, I, as the Workforce Development Consultant, develop programs and services that assist Texas libraries with building, strengthening, and augmenting the workforce initiatives and resources they deliver, which include support for job seekers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
What projects are you excited to get started with?
Already, this year shows great promise with abundant opportunities to connect and to team up with organizations in and outside of Texas to advance entrepreneurship services in libraries, including training for library staff, for the benefit of patrons of all ages. Also, an Annual Workforce Development Partner Survey will be launched very soon, and its purpose is to gather input from partners in the workforce domain to inform decisions on the creation and the direction of future TSLAC workforce development projects and partnerships, including the following:
- Begin to clarify TSLAC’s role in the Texas workforce development landscape.
- Illuminate where libraries can help to achieve Texas’ workforce development goals.
- Create strong, new relationships, and build up existing ones.
- Define how TSLAC’s work complements the work of our partners.
- Prioritize projects that are sustainable.
An announcement will be made on TSLAC’s Services for Libraries webpage and in the Library Developments blog, but I would really appreciate your help with increasing the response rate. Here is what you can do:
- Please share the survey link with all your partners (e.g., word of mouth, email, website, library portal, etc.).
- Please post the survey link in your newsletters and social media.
Please stay tuned for more details, and thanks for your time and consideration.
What was the last book you read/movie you watched/podcast or song you listened to that you enjoyed?
Here it goes…., but I hope that some book, movie, and podcast recommendations will fill the comment section below because I’m always open to suggestions. Besides what I listed below, I also enjoy deep sleep meditation, and guided meditation in general. Three sources I go back to regularly are The Mindful Movement, Michael Sealey, and Marisa Peer on YouTube. The last book I read was Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People by Ben Crump, and I am currently reading Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover and Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight. My current favorite television show is Gomorrah on HBO Max.
What is something about you that people don’t know?
Hey,… We just met! I think we’re going to need a little more time than this! All right… all right… To start, I confess that I love floral-infused desserts, candy, or drinks. For example, I recently became obsessed with rose halva by Seed + Mill.
What drew you to this position?
One of the best aspects of this position is that I get to collaborate with partners all over Texas and throughout the nation. Also, it motivates me to constantly learn new things and exchange information, and as a Workforce Development Consultant, there is no end of opportunities to grow with the help of everyone I get the privilege to meet. Do not hesitate to reach out with any comments or questions using the comment section below or at mfreed@tsl.texas.gov.
