After months and countless miles on the road, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s (TSLAC) Continuing Education and Consulting (CEC) team wrapped up the spring regional workshop series with a final stop at Lewisville Public Library on May 20. Over the course of eight two-day workshops held across Texas—from Alpine to Harlingen, Tyler to El Paso—TSLAC trained 314 librarians and staff from 97 libraries.

Each stop brought together local library professionals for hands-on learning, idea-sharing, and practical training on two timely issues: de-escalation strategies and circulation policy development. The topics were chosen based on last year’s CE survey. Along the way, attendees also heard from local mental health authorities and regional Workforce Solutions representatives. 

One participant in Amarillo stated how grateful they were that the Continuing Education and Consulting Team traveled all the way out to the Panhandle because they didn’t have the budget or ability to leave their libraries for events like the annual Texas Library Association (TLA) conference and that these workshops were such a great alternative.

De-Escalation Skills for Library Staff

When tensions rise in public spaces, library staff often find themselves on the front lines. That’s why one day of each workshop focused on trauma-informed de-escalation strategies. By exploring hypothetical scenarios, attendees learned new techniques and tools and even shared their own de-escalation stories after breaking off into discussion groups.

“Who would have thought I’d have to use this training the very next day? I can’t tell you how much it helped,” one library director shared.

Participants practiced new communication tools, learned how to recognize signs of trauma, and discussed real-world challenges from their own libraries. Many left the session saying they felt more confident and equipped to handle difficult interactions with the public.

Rethinking the Rules—Circulation Policies That Serve Communities

The other day of the workshop took a deep dive into a topic that shapes every patron’s library experience: the circulation policy. Library staff and directors explored questions like:

• What makes a circulation policy equitable and effective?
  
• How do we protect patron privacy?
  
• What’s the best way to issue cards to children?
  
• How can policies reflect our library’s mission and values?

Participants discussed these issues in small groups, swapped policy examples, and revisited foundational concepts like Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science to guide decision-making.

More Than Training: A Launchpad for Community Connections

In addition to sessions led by the CEC team, attendees heard from representatives of local Workforce Solutions offices and mental health authorities, who shared free resources and programs libraries can tap into.

At the Lewisville workshop, Denton County MHMR—the region’s state-designated mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) authority—outlined the free services they offer, including:

• Outpatient mental health and IDD support
  
• Crisis services and 24/7 hotlines
  
• Free Narcan distribution
  
• Mental Health First Aid and suicide prevention training (ASK and ASIST programs)

These partners emphasized that libraries are often trusted first points of contact for individuals in crisis—and that help is available.

A Few Moments from the Road

This workshop series wasn’t just about skills; it was about meeting library professionals where they are—both geographically and professionally.

• In Alpine, staff were thrilled that TSLAC came to them. A brand-new library director from Imperial, new to the profession, called it a “whole new world” of learning.
  
• In Harlingen and Tyler, attendees expressed appreciation for high-quality in-person training they could attend without breaking their budgets.
  
• In El Paso, staff said the de-escalation training was especially timely, given the stress they were facing in their support of passport services.

Meet the CEC Team

TSLAC’s Continuing Education and Consulting team led each event with curiosity, care, and a deep commitment to serving library professionals. Library Staff Consultant Elizabeth Mikeska-Benfield remarked on the importance of the face to face trainings. “These in-person workshops gave us an opportunity to connect with library workers around the state in a meaningful way. We were able to share more about the services we provide and hear directly from library workers about the type of support that would be helpful. Also, providing a space for the participants to connect and learn from each other was so great to see.”

Workshop facilitators included:

• Katherine Adelberg – Manager, Continuing Education and Consulting
  
• Naomi DiTullio – Online Learning Consultant
  
• Emily Hersh – Workforce Development Consultant
  
• Elizabeth Mikeska-Benfield – Library Staff Consultant
  
• Katelyn Patterson – Youth Services Consultant
  
• Christina Taylor – Library Management Consultant

Other team members joined at various locations, including Sarah Hayes (El Paso, Alpine), Sarah Hubert (San Angelo) and Karen McElfresh (Lewisville), all of whom support statewide resource sharing programs.

Showcasing Statewide Support: LDO and Talking Book Program

Every workshop also featured updates from two other key TSLAC programs:

• The Library Digital Opportunity (LDO) team spoke about supporting libraries with data tools, digital literacy training, and grant opportunities. Attendees got to meet new team member Elsa Dominguez-Trevino, Digital Literacy Consultant, who attended almost all of the workshops, along with Promise Madu and Warren Davis.
  
• The Talking Book Program (TBP) made a hybrid presentation using the Owl video conferencing system for the first time. Jemima Johnson, Jaclyn Owusu, and Alicia Topolnycky walked through how TBP connects Texans with print disabilities to accessible books and materials.

Building A Stronger Library Community

These workshops demonstrated the power of coming together—not just to learn, but to support each other, brainstorm solutions, and connect with local partners. As one participant put it, “It wasn’t just useful—it was validating.”

As TSLAC’s CEC team looks ahead to future offerings, they remain committed to providing responsive, practical, and inspiring professional development for library workers across the state. As a reminder, the surveys the CEC team sends out are one of most important tools for communication. They really listen to what you have to say!

CEC will be hitting the road again this Fall, providing three new workshop opportunities. We hope to see you there!