When A’ndrea McAdams arrived in Sundown nine years ago, the library was a volunteer-run remnant of what used to be a county branch. Today, under her leadership, the City of Sundown Library is an award-winning, grant-powered hub of access, wellness, and local pride, proof that innovation does not only belong to big cities. A’ndrea’s path…
Not long ago, the Red Oak Public Library, which serves a small rural area south of Dallas, functioned out of a single room. When the library moved into its new location in the Government Center with 4,700 square feet in 2023, staff finally had physical room to dream bigger. That vision became reality with the…
Finding a Safe Haven in the Library For Diana Muturia, the Phoenix Public Library was more than a place to borrow books, it was a lifeline. Originally from Kenya, Diana arrived in Phoenix with determination but limited resources. “The library saved me,” she recalls. “It was the only place I could get Wi-Fi, and it was…
Across the country, libraries are evolving beyond books and quiet study spaces to become centers of innovation and creativity. Maker spaces, equipped with tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, recording studios, and design software are giving patrons the chance to experiment, build, and bring ideas to life. These spaces lower the barrier to entry for…
We live in a time when information about nearly anything is instantly within reach, and while I feel fortunate for that, it can also feel overwhelming. There’s so much I want to read, watch, and learn, but never enough time to get to it all. And with the holidays and end of year looming, my…
Palacios Library | Palacios , TX At Palacios Library, leadership starts with listening. “Our success has been our availability for whatever is needed to keep our library afloat and be willing to help out our small town in any way we can,” says Head Librarian Vikijane Mosier. That spirit of responsiveness has guided the library’s…
There’s something magical about dawn over the desert when hot air balloons drift serenely above the Rio Grande Valley with their neon colors glowing against the pale morning sky. That’s the same sense of wonder attendees experienced at the 2025 Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) Annual Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Awards and Scholarships 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,…
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is pleased to announce that applications for fiscal year 2026 Family Place Libraries™ Project grants will be accepted through Wednesday, October 15, 2025. TSLAC is looking for qualified libraries to attend a Family Place Libraries™ Training Institute to be hosted at a Texas public library and then implement…
September brings its own unique energy to libraries. Summer should be rolling out, but in Texas, the heat hangs on, and so do full calendars. Summer and back-to-school activities have wound down, and patron needs have shifted, but this comes with equally important demands. This month also marks National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, reminding us…