Library Management Update: December 2024

These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations.

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Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) Newsletter

The most recent edition features information about a survey requesting input for the 2028 slogan and 2029 theme. Read the CSLP newsletter online or subscribe and receive it in your inbox each month.

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Awards, Scholarships, Stipends, and Grants

Now Open

The Texas Library Association (TLA) offers awards and scholarships honoring excellence in, and contributions to, the library profession. In addition, TLA offers stipends to help defray the costs of attending Annual Conference and membership, and many TLA units also offer awards and scholarships. Applications are now open; apply to help your work get recognized! For more information, visit the association’s awards, scholarships, and stipends webpage.

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Big Talk From Small Libraries – Call for Speakers

December 13, 2024

The call for speakers for Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025 is open! Submit your proposal by Friday, December 13, 2024. This free one-day online conference is tailored for staff from small libraries; the smaller the better! Small libraries of all types – public, academic, school, museum, special, etc. – are encouraged to submit a proposal. They’re looking for seven 50-minute presentations and four 10-minute “lightning round” presentations. This year’s conference will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025 between 8:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CT) via GoTo Webinar. For more information, visit the call for speakers webpage.

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Tell Us Your Library’s Story: The 2024 Texas Public Libraries Annual Report

January 9, 2025  |  10:00 a.m. CT

Take a deep dive into all of the facets and requirements for submitting a Texas Public Libraries Annual Report. We’ll look at each section of the report, discuss the definitions and expectations, and explain how you can best communicate what happened in your library last year. Great refresh for experienced submitters; essential information for those doing it for the first time.

Welcome to SHAREit for Statewide Interlibrary Loan

January 29, 2025  |  10:00 a.m. CT

Join TSLAC staff for an overview of the SHAREit interlibrary loan system.   Libraries that have not yet had a chance to use SHAREit for interlibrary loan will want to attend this session as a kick-off to going live on the system.
This webinar is specifically for Texas libraries that:

  • Are accredited but staff have not yet completed the required trainings to go live on SHAREit.
  • Are newly accredited and need to configure their accounts in SHAREit in addition to completing the required trainings.

This session will be recorded for those unable to attend the live presentation.

To register for these webinars, visit the Continuing Education and Consulting team’s Upcoming Webinars webpage.

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Certified Entrepreneurship Librarian Rural Libraries Scholarship

January 29, 2025

Creative Startups: Libraries as Launchpads announces open enrollment to register for the Libraries as Launchpads Certification One – Entrepreneurship Librarian Certification Program. Upon completion, librarians are equipped and ready to support aspiring local entrepreneurs and small business owners find the resources they need to grow their businesses. This scholarship offers 3 free seats to small and rural libraries based on identified needed and ability to fully commit. For more information, please visit the scholarship website.


Ongoing Tools

These tools are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations.

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Introduction to Proposal Writing

Are you new to proposal writing or want a quick refresher? This class will provide you with an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation. It will include:

  • The basic elements of a proposal
  • The “do’s” and “don’ts” of writing and submitting a proposal
  • How to follow up whether the answer is yes or no
  • 30-minute hands-on exercise to develop a proposal outline (in-person classes only)

For more information, visit the course webpage.

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Connected Nation’s Digital Skills Training

Connected Nation’s digital skills training is for everyone! Have one of their team members come out and help your community or organization enhance their technology skills. Training is available both in-person and virtually at no-cost to host organizations. In addition, training is available in English and Spanish. For more information, visit Connected Nation’s Digital Skills Training webpage.

decorative logo for the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Survey

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is conducting a survey on the physical conditions and facility needs of public libraries in the United States. GAO is sending the survey to a nationwide sample of public library outlets that were randomly selected. GAO is an independent federal agency that works for Congress. The information from this survey will help inform Congress about the physical conditions of public libraries nationally. The purpose of the study is to make national estimates of libraries’ physical conditions and facility needs, accessibility, costs and funding for maintenance and repair, and the effects of natural disasters and extreme weather. It is not an audit of any individual library. For more information about the survey or the study in general, email the GAO research team at Library_MuseumSurvey@gao.gov.

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Libraries Connecting Texas (LCT)

E-rate is a federal discount program available to accredited public libraries that pays up to 90% of broadband costs. Understanding that the process to complete an application like this can be daunting, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission is continuing its support of libraries this year in applying for E-Rate. The project, called Libraries Connecting Texas (LCT), provides FREE, one-on-one support from a professional consulting firm, E-Rate Central, to guide participating libraries successfully through the 2025 E-Rate Funding Year.

For additional support with the Libraries Connecting Texas program, please visit the Library Digital Opportunities (LDO) website or email the LDO Team at LDO@tsl.texas.gov.


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.

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