Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. The views and opinions of these organizations do not necessarily represent the views of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. 2026 Disaster Preparedness Forum September 3-24 | Register For Disaster Preparedness Month, the National Network of Libraries…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Walmart Spark Good Local Grants August 1 – November 30, 2026 Each year, Walmart U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs, and Distribution Centers award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5,000. Local grants are designed to support local organizations…
At the 2026 Texas Library Association Annual Conference, I had the privilege of leading a discussion on marketing yourself as a library professional. Although the session took place over the course of an hour, the ideas behind it had been years in the making. What began as scattered thoughts gradually evolved through conversations with my…
While attending a recent professional learning network meetup, Director Gordon of Gotham Public Library—a fictional, small, rural library in Texas—heard a cautionary tale about a neighboring library’s lack of a personnel policy. Recognizing the potential risks, she resolved to review her own library’s policies. The Smallville Library employed 25 staff members and operated for years…
Library-Centered Community Discovery: Two Texas Summer Learning Stories Libraries across Texas are proving that summer reading is about much more than books during the 2026 Unearth a Story Summer Reading Program. By combining literacy with hands-on experiences, libraries help communities turn curiosity into engagement and learning into lasting memories. The following success stories illustrate how…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Core Connections: Building Sustainable Support Through Funding July 14, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. (Eastern) Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners’ (MBLC) Lyndsay Forbes, Project Manager and Grants Specialist, will lead a discussion on how to leverage grants, funding opportunities,…
Library-Centered Community Connection: Three Texas Library Stories Libraries are more than buildings filled with books—they are gathering places where communities connect, celebrate, learn, and grow together. Across Texas, libraries are creating programs that respond directly to the needs of their communities, building stronger relationships across generations and ensuring that people of all ages feel welcomed…
As we consider the role of meeting room access in public libraries, the following scenario illustrates how well-intentioned efforts to support community engagement can reveal the risks that arise when a clear meeting room policy is not in place. Without consistent guidelines, libraries may face inconsistent decision-making, interpersonal conflict, and perceptions of unfair or unequal…
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…
Library-Led Community Impact: Three Texas Library Stories Opening Doors | Montgomery County Memorial Library System (Spring, TX) In Montgomery County, a community eager for stability and opportunity, residents found themselves navigating the uncertainty of job seeking and struggling to connect with trustworthy employers and meaningful work. Recognizing this need, the Central Library of the Montgomery…