Upcoming Opportunities
These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations.
Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Internship
May 11, 2026
Do you know any current undergraduate or graduate students—or recent college graduates (within six months)—preparing for employment or further studies in education, library science, history or museum studies? Would they like to gain valuable, collaborative work experience by exploring educational resources, applying learning strategies, and connecting through partnerships? If so, please encourage them to apply for a Fall 2026 Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Internship with the Library of Congress! Applications will be accepted through May 11, 2026. Visit the Library’s website for details.
2026 Continuing Education Survey
May 13, 2026
The Continuing Education and Consulting team (CEC) at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission is committed to providing high-quality training to Texas library staff. Their vision is for all library staff to have the training they need to provide Texans with exceptional library service. CEC would love to hear from Texas public library workers about the training topics that are most important to them. Please set aside ten minutes to complete the TSLAC Public Library Continuing Education Survey. If you have any questions, contact the CEC team at LD@tsl.texas.gov
Finding the Data You Need in A World of Census Data
May 14, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Eastern)
With a wide variety of surveys, variables, geographies, and methodologies, it can be helpful to know where to start when accessing Census Data. Join us to build your own data search framework and discover a variety of ways to explore, filter, and learn how to effectively search for the data you seek. For more information, visit the event website.
Journey for Good Foundation
May 15, 2026
The Journey For Good Foundation strengthens North American communities by addressing the root causes of poverty. Funding focuses on improving access to food, stable housing, education, workforce development, and support for veterans and their families. The Foundation is particularly interested in projects that create lasting, holistic impact at the local level. Collaborative and community-centered initiatives are strongly encouraged. For more information, visit the foundation’s grants page.
Measuring trust: How to collect meaningful and actionable data
May 28, 2026 | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Eastern)
Trust is such an important part of a library’s work. Join us to hear IREX and several libraries discuss experiments they ran with trust-building programs and leave with some tips and tools for measuring trust in your library. For more information, visit the event’s webpage.
American Conversation Project
May 29, 2026
As America marks 250 years, the American Conversation Project (ACP) is bringing people together across the country to share stories, listen deeply, and strengthen the bonds that hold us together. This summer — during Civic Season, June 19 through July 4 — libraries across the country will host recorded small-group conversations where neighbors share what’s on their minds. Those stories don’t disappear when the conversation ends. Using a combination of human listening and AI-assisted tools, ACP works with Cortico to surface insights from communities across the country and share them back — so people can hear not just what their neighbors are saying, but what Americans everywhere are thinking and feeling. For more information and details about how to participate, visit the program website.
Know & Go: Library Management Skills for New and Aspiring Managers
June 2, 2026 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm (Central)
Stepping into library management comes with new responsibilities, shifting relationships, and the need for stronger communication and decision-making skills. Designed to build confidence and clarity, this session introduces practical tools to support the transition from peer to supervisor, promote effective communication, and address common challenges for new and aspiring library managers. Also helpful as a refresher for current managers. This event is free to Amigos members; the non-member fee is $35.00. For more information, visit the event website.
TLA 2027 Conference Proposals
June 24, 2026
Have ideas, strategies, or experiences to share with fellow librarians? The Texas Library Association (TLA) invites you to contribute your creativity and expertise. Please note that individuals may submit up to two proposals, with a submission deadline of June 24, 2026. Poster session submissions for the upcoming Annual Conference will open this fall. To get started, visit the association’s Presentation Opportunities webpage.
Mentor Match
June 30, 2026
Mentor Match connects members across Texas to build meaningful, goal-driven mentoring relationships. Whether you are looking for guidance or ready to support others, this program provides a structured, flexible way to grow your professional network and develop your skills. For more information, visit the program webpage.
Join TLA on May 20 at 3:00 p.m. to learn how this benefit works, what to expect, and how to get involved. Register today to get started!
Bookmobile Grants
August 15, 2026
The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation awards grants to organizations that operate a lending bookmobile that travels into neighborhoods populated by underserved youth. The grants are for purchasing books published for young people preschool through grade 8. Bookmobiles operated by charitable [501(c)(3)] and other non-taxable agencies, including public libraries or schools, are eligible. The Foundation provides grants to organizations that serve economically or socially at-risk children, have limited book budgets, and demonstrate real need. For more information, visit the bookmobile grants pages on the foundation’s website.
Texas America250 Reading Challenge
December 31, 2026
The Texas Center for the Book and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission are inviting Texans statewide to log 2,500 minutes (about 41 hours) of reading, exploring Texas state parks, or giving back through service between January 1 and December 31, 2026. The Texas America250 Reading Challenge is self-reported, and readers who complete the challenge earn a special certificate. For more information, visit the event web page.
Ongoing Tools
These tools are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations.
Critical Thinking Skills – Challenging Your own Ideas (course)
Have you ever been frustrated by someone challenging your ideas? Or maybe you’ve questioned your ideas and learned something surprising. It can be uncomfortable to have someone challenge you. And it can be even more uncomfortable to question your own ideas, beliefs, or actions. But challenging your ideas is an important part of critical thinking. It takes time and practice, but knowing how to think through your ideas can give you a bigger sense of the world and more confidence in what you know! For more information, visit the course webpage.
New Learning Management System
We are excited to announce a new platform for engaging with continuing education from TSLAC. Through this new platform, library workers across the state will have access to archived webinars, courses, and cohorts to support and enhance their service to their communities. For more information, visit the Continuing Education webpage.
We are excited to announce a new platform for engaging with continuing education from TSLAC. Through this new platform, library workers across the state will have access to archived webinars, courses, and cohorts to support and enhance their service to their communities. For more information, visit the Continuing Education webpage.
Connecting Library of Congress Collections to Texas Libraries (webinar series)
The aim of this four-part webinar series is to introduce library workers throughout Texas to the digital collections of the Library of Congress, focusing on using them in local history and Texas-centered research. This series highlights a range of digital resources—including historic newspapers and buildings, maps, and photographic collections—and demonstrates practical research strategies that feature tips and structures to help library professionals and patrons navigate the Library of Congress website. Session recordings and materials are available in the Reference section of TSLAC’s Continuing Education page, and the entire series is viewable from this YouTube playlist.
Turn Strategy into Action with Theory of Change (webinar)
You’re getting ready to implement a change at your library, from a new strategic plan to a major project. How do you get your staff, partners, or community to understand and align with this new direction? Theory of Change is a powerful tool to help you define a shared vision that everyone can strive for together, while allowing flexibility and autonomy in how they get there. In this webinar, you’ll learn how one library is using Theory of Change to drive strategic alignment while reducing bureaucracy. For more information, visit the event 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.
