Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Library Leadership Essentials Series June 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – Noon (Central) Each 2-hour virtual training will be led by Eddy Smith and consist of a topical presentation followed by an opportunity for questions and answers. For more…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Grants for Literacy Programs Believe in Reading supports the efforts of nonprofit organizations that teach, improve, or encourage reading by people of all ages from around the world. Grants are awarded to existing and provably successful literacy programs that…
When Cynthia Soll and Rachel Kramer from McLennan Community College (MCC) Library in Waco began experimenting with AI, they weren’t intending to lead a tech revolution; their main focus was just trying to save time. Like many library staff across Texas, they wear a lot of hats. So when they saw an opportunity to use…
In Hughes Springs, Texas, known for beautiful spring wildflower trails and its quiet small-town charm, something big is happening inside the local library—and it involves robots, rockets, and a whole lot of imagination. Under the leadership of Library Director Shannon Perez, the Hughes Springs Area Public Library is redefining what’s possible in rural public library…
In the small Texas town of Pottsboro, population just over 2,000, the public library is helping teens launch their careers—literally. Last summer, Pottsboro Public Library offered an innovative workforce development program called Taking Flight: Preparing for a Career in Drone Technology. Funded by a grant from Atmos Energy and Simmons Bank, this five-week course introduced…
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental health issues. While most people might turn to therapists, clinics, or nonprofits for support, one valuable resource may be closer than they think: their public library. While I was attending the Texas Library Association conference in Dallas last month,…
The spirit of transformation was alive and well at the 2025 Texas Library Association’s Annual Conference, themed “Library Renaissance: Our Quest for Renewal.” Against a backdrop of evolving community needs and rapid change, library professionals from all sectors came together to reimagine the role of libraries in a shifting world. This powerful theme set the…
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Federal Funding for Texas Libraries – TSLAC has created a one page document illustrating all of the programs and services funded for Texas libraries from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Jerry…
The results are in! Compare your internet speeds to other libraries across the state and see the year-over-year trends. The good news is—efforts like those by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) to increase library internet speeds in Texas public libraries are working, though there is still much work to be done. More…
Libraries have long been champions of expanding access to books, and digital platforms like Hoopla Digital, Libby, Audible, Boundless, or Scribd help make that possible. With a few taps, readers can borrow e-books and audiobooks from their local libraries, making literature more accessible than ever. With the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), libraries have found…