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 sessions will not be recorded. Please register at the links below.
Wednesday, September 18th, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon central
Thursday, September 26th, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. central
Tuesday, October 1st, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. central
Once registered, please open your confirmation email to find a survey that will help inform me of your needs and how we should structure our time in the Listening Sessions.
Family Place Libraries™ Grant
FY 2025 Family Place™ application window is now open! The recording for our recent webinar, TSLAC Family Place Libraries™ Grant – What It’s About and How To Participate, is now available on the TSLAC website! The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) document will act as your guide while applying. Reach out if you have any questions about the program or submitting your application.
Family Place™ also recently had a webinar about a new resource they are making available to all Family Place Libraries™ called ParentTV. You can view that webinar recording here.
Texas Youth Services Roundup
Save the date for the Texas Youth Services Roundup taking place at the Pflugerville Public Library on Friday, November 15th. Youth Librarians from around the state are organizing an in-person, day-long professional development opportunity. Check the website for a call for proposals and more information.
Adaptive Umbrella Workshop
This free, virtual daylong workshop put on by the Bloomfield Township Public Library in Michigan features interactive sessions about current accessibility topics, led by disability self-advocates and professionals working with the disability community. The day is geared to librarians, educators, and caregivers. Learn more here.
News You Can Use
This will be a roundup of information you might find useful.
The Pilcro Foundation has disaster relief grants and reduced funding grants for rural libraries in the United States. There is an upcoming deadline of October.
I can’t wait to dive into these new books celebrating Indigenous Voices!
Early Literacy
Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL) has formed a new committee that will present CLEL Bell Awards to winning Spanish-language titles in 2025! They will select give outstanding picture books produced in Spanish that model the five early literacy practices, Play, Read, Sing, Talk and Write. Learn more here.
Brooklyn Public Library is offering a free webinar on Voter Registration Storytime where they will model parent/caregiver voter engagement talking points, demonstrate playful and fun voting activities for kids, and share family-friendly voter registration resources.
School Age
The Youngest Pandemic Children and Now in School, and Struggling This article talks about how the pandemic effected early literacy and early childhood development. But it isn’t all grim!
Tween
Houston Public Library Hosts Mental Health Program for Families HPL’s Big Feelings program was dedicated to helping caregivers and families feel supported during tough times.
Teen
September 17th is National Voter Registration Day. Make a display and put out information about how to get registered to encourage your teens to get civically engaged!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for 2024-2025 is updated and easier to use! Promote to your teens to make sure they know about this financial aid opportunity. Here are some resources that might be helpful.
- FAFSA Checklist & Timeline for Students & Families
- Pro Tips for the 2024-2025 FAFSA Form
- FAFSA “How To” Videos
- FAFSA Bootcamp Webinar Recording
Summer 2025
I know what you are thinking. Katelyn, let us catch our breath! Hear me out!
Have you signed up to get our emails about all things summer? If not, then you might miss out on a sneak peak of next year’s artwork and important information about requesting your free summer 2025 promotional materials. Remember these materials are provided at no cost to you. Sign up for the Texas summer Library Program Newsletter here. This is the primary way of sharing important updates about everything Summer.
Share Your Library Program With Us!
Have an impressive library program you want to brag about? By all means! Submit photos and information here. Please make sure that any participants in photos have given permission to share. These might be used on a public blog for a shout out!
Thank you!
for your dedication to the youth of Texas. Subscribe to the Library Developments blog, the Summer Library Program newsletter, and book some time to meet with me so I know how I can support your work.
