Upcoming Opportunities
These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations.
Texas Public Library Continuing Education Survey
Texas Public Library Continuing Education Survey
The Continuing Education and Consulting team at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission would love to hear about the training topics that are most important to you. Please set aside ten minutes to complete the TSLAC Public Library Continuing Education Survey? This team is committed to providing high-quality training to Texas library staff. It’s vision is for all library staff to have the training they need to provide Texans with exceptional library service. Please respond by Wednesday, May 15, 2024, and if you have any questions, contact LD@tsl.texas.gov.
Your Volunteer Corp: Rural library training for building a volunteer base
May 15, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. – Noon Central | Online
Do you need more help? Are you overwhelmed with too much help? Restructure your volunteer program to provide meaningful opportunities, to offer enticing experiences, and to build a voice in your community. Join Lisa Youngblood and look at volunteers with a new mindset and fresh ideas. This will be a free, virtual training and will take place May 16th from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. While this training is meant for rural libraries, anyone is able to attend. Register now to join! For more information, visit the event announcement on the PLAN website.
Sunny Storytime and Book Repair Basics
May 17, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Central | Hondo Public Library
New to Storytime, or just want some new ideas? Looking to incorporate more of the natural world into your library programs? Join Montana Rindahl from the Mammen Family Public Library for an interactive workshop with plenty of ideas and tools for you to take program plans home with you. This in-person workshop will cover Storytime for babies, toddlers, preK, and early elementary, along with school-age programming centered around nature, gardening, and animal husbandry. In addition, Vela Custom Bookmakers will be present for hands on book repair training. Learn about minor and major repairs in this hands-on workshop! This will be a free, in-person training and will take place in the Hondo Public Library on May 17th from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. While this training is meant for rural libraries, anyone is able to attend. Spaces are limited to 20, so register now to join! For more information, visit the event announcement on the PLAN website.
Children’s Programming & Book Repair Basics
May 20, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Central | Huntsville Public Library
Discover some best practices in children’s programming. Learn effective techniques to take your programs to the next level, no matter the size of your library or budget. Join Carmen Lazo and Diane Sikkenga from Pflugerville Public Library for engaging children’s programming. In addition, Vela Custom Bookmakers will be present for hands on book repair training. Learn about minor and major repairs in this hands-on workshop! This will be a free, in-person training and will take place in the Huntsville Public Library on May 20th from from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be on your own, but there are numerous options in the area in addition to bringing your own with you. While this training is meant for rural libraries, anyone is able to attend. Spots are limited to 20. Register now to join! For more information, visit the event announcement on the PLAN website.
My Friend the Library: Kids Promoting Libraries Through Art
June 2024
Young readers in your community to join! To participate, kids create an original song, poem, rap, dance, or any creative art about the library. All video submissions are submitted and showcased onwww.myfriendthelibrary.com.The deadline is May 31st, 2024, to be in the running for the Spring Finalists! Please use this flyer to promote this video challenge in your community.
TLA Partners with HEB for June Checkstand Donation Campaign
June 2024
The Texas Library Association (TLA) is excited to announce that HEB selected TLA as the beneficiary of the June checkstand donation campaign. Beginning June 5, customers at any HEB store can give when they check out. Proceeds from the campaign will support summer reading programs and initiatives at Texas libraries. The impact of this partnership will make a tremendous difference in the services libraries can provide to their communities during the summer months. For more information, visit the May 2024 edition of TLACast.
Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize
June 17, 2024 | 1:59 p.m. Eastern
The Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize, developed in partnership between the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation and Library Journal, was created in 2019 to recognize the public library as a vital community asset. When libraries, civic entities, organizations, and the people they serve become close partners, their communities thrive. One winning library will receive $250,000 in unfettered grant monies from the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation. The winning library will also be profiled in the November issue of Library Journal and online. Honorable mentions may also be named. For more information, visit the award announcement on the Library Journal website.
Ongoing Tools
These tools are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations.
Smokey Bear Reading Challenge
The USDA Forest Service is excited to collaborate with public library systems across the country on the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge in celebration of Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday. This program is designed to be a fun and easy way to engage children in reading about wildfire prevention, forests, and natural resource careers, while exploring their local environment. For more information, visit the reading challenge’s digital toolkit.
Data Gems
The U.S. Census Bureau’s team of experts is excited to share their favorite tips and tricks about how to access and use Census Bureau Data. So, they created Data Gems, a series of video tutorials available for data users who are looking for an easy and quick way to enhance their knowledge of Census data. These videos will introduce viewers to various concepts and techniques to improve their ability to navigate the Census Bureau’s website and use the data-access tools. For more information, visit the initiative’s webpage.
Firespring
Firespring provides strategic guidance activated through creative, marketing, printing and technology solutions to help businesses and nonprofits prosper. In addition to their suite of paid services, Firespring offers free educational webinars. To see their suite of FREE educational webinar, visit the webinars page on the Firespring website.
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.