Through the Library Infrastructure Facility Improvement (LIFI) grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC), libraries across the state are transforming into essential spaces for life’s most important moments. These aren’t just upgrades. They’re quiet revolutions. Inside newly installed privacy booths and study rooms, patrons are attending telehealth appointments, participating in legal depositions,…
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is made up of four divisions, Library Development and Networking (LDN), State and Local Record Management (SLRM), Archives and Information Services (ARIS), and the Talking Book Program (TBP). For this blog, we wanted to dive deeper into the technology the Talking Book Program uses for their programming and…
In Balch Springs, Texas, the public library is more than a place to check out books. It is a place where neighbors meet, skills are shared, and partnerships grow into something bigger than any one program. For Teresa Smith Conley, programming is not just part of the job. It is a passion rooted in creativity,…
At Texas A&M University–San Antonio, even defining what it means to have the title of “AI librarian” is a work in progress. Kim Grotewold stepped into the role on September 1, 2025, but like many emerging positions tied to artificial intelligence, the scope is still evolving. “AI librarian” is only one part of her job.…
Since opening its doors in March 2023, Frisco Public Library has quickly established itself as one of the most innovative library spaces in Texas. Housed in a transformed 150,000+ square foot former rocket factory, the facility reflects the city’s investment in the future of learning. From maker spaces and VR equipment to a towering T-Rex…
At San Marcos Public Library, STEM programming is no longer about one-time workshops or isolated topics. Instead, it has evolved into something much more powerful. It is a model rooted in families learning together, sustained over time, and supported through a unique partnership with Texas State University. For Ashley Schimelman, Division Manager of Programming and…
Back in early February, digital opportunity leaders from across the country gathered in Chicago for Net Inclusion 2026. The sessions covered broadband legislation, AI literacy, disaster response, tech distribution, and the uncertain future of federal funding. But one message rang clear above all others: Digital opportunity is local work. And libraries are uniquely positioned to…
When the Institute of Museum and Library Services announced the 2025 winners of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, one Texas library was still in shock. Nicholas P. Sims Library in Waxahachie, now 121 years old, has been named a national medal recipient, one of the highest honors a library can receive in…
When people think of genealogy libraries, they often picture quiet rooms and adults researching family trees. But at the Genealogy and Preservation Center of Montgomery County Memorial Library System in Conroe, Texas, history is an exciting activity for all ages. Thanks to the creativity and dedication of Genealogy Librarian Laura Politte, the space has become…
At the Clute Library in Clute, Texas, afternoons do not wind down when the school bell rings. They ramp up. Located directly across the street from the local intermediate school, the library becomes a steady stream of backpacks, laughter, and curiosity as students head over after class. For many families in this lower income community,…