Upcoming Opportunities
These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations.
AI and Libraries II: More Applications, Implications, and Possibilities
April 18, 2024
How has artificial intelligence impacted library services, resources, and work so far? How have libraries responded to these evolving technologies to better support their communities? It’s been over a year since generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and Dall-E have been introduced in public spaces and consciousness, but AI has been around long before these tools yet there are still lingering concerns, challenges, and considerations. Join us for this free virtual conference to learn how libraries and library workers are engaging with artificial intelligence tools in their libraries from research support to information literacy to technical services. The conversations held in the conference will address the practical implications of these tools in the profession. For more information, visit the event website.
Texas Book Festival Grant
April 26, 2024
The Texas Book Festival (TBF) is excited to share that Texas libraries are invited to apply for a $2,500 grant to enhance their digital or physical collections! The deadline to apply is Friday, April 26, 2024.
TBF collections enhancement grants are made possible through Festival fundraising as well as TBF’s generous donors and sponsors. Since 1997, they have funded 1,402 grants totaling more than $3.5 million to libraries all across the state. For more information, visit the festival’s grant’s page.
Ongoing Tools
These tools are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations.
2-1-1 Texas Overview
211 Texas is a free information and resource line that is answered 24/7. 211 has access to a language line and can help people in over 150 languages. This training covered what 211 Texas is, how to reach 211 Texas, the resources listed with 211, how 211 provides information and resources for disaster events, The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, and how to use the 211texas.org website.
For more information, visit the training’s National Library of Medicine’s webpage.
Canva 2.0 for Libraries: Page Layout Design
Based on the webinar Canva and Design for Libraries: Learn Page Layout and Social Media Design, this workshop focuses on page layout design, learning to format your design for social media, flyers, and posters, and formatting for the web vs. print. This training session is a tutorial, focusing 100% on Canva with the most common design and layout topics, and is ideal for beginner-intermediate learners.
This webinar is open to all library professionals, focusing on those who are charged with marketing and design for their library.
Participants will learn how to:
- Design for the web vs. print
- Design flyers
- Design for social media with motion effects in Canva
- Design consistently across formats for marketing
For more information, visit the event’s Niche Academy webpage.
Creating a person-centered library: Supporting patrons while avoiding burnout
Are you feeling the strain of serving patrons with complex needs? Is your library seeing increased patron behavioral issues and mental health concerns? This session reviews ideas and approaches for how libraries can support both high-needs patrons and staff. This webinar was presented by Beth Wahler, PhD, MSW, Social Work Consultant with Public Libraries, Founder and Principal Consultant, Beth Wahler Consulting; and Sarah Johnson, MLIS, LMSW, Adjunct Lecturer, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, both co-authors, Creating a Person-Centered Library: Best Practices for Supporting High-Needs Patrons. For more information, visit the event’s webpage.
Need more support?
Resource Archive
Wish you had access to a repository of all the tools that are featured in the monthly Library Management Updates? Check out our Resource Archive for more information.
Continuing Education
In addition, be sure to peruse our continuing education offerings. Our resources are constantly updated, so check back often.
Questions?
For more information, visit our management services page or contact Christina Taylor at ctaylor@tsl.texas.gov.
