As we consider the role of volunteers in public libraries, the following scenario illustrates how well-intentioned community engagement can reveal the risks of operating without a clear volunteer policy. The Gotham Public Library—a fictional, small, rural library in Texas—relies heavily on volunteers to remain open six days a week. Because Director Barbara Gordon knows nearly…
Every September, a familiar rhythm returns: a new state fiscal year begins, the school year hits its stride, and libraries nationwide celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month. It’s a time to invite people of all ages to get a free library card and discover the wealth of resources, services, and opportunities waiting for them. You can…
Join us for a free in-person workshop near you! TSLAC is bringing Advanced De-escalation Skills sessions to 12 locations across Texas. Led in-person by experienced clinical educator and consultant Marty Reinsel, this hands-on workshop builds on our 2025 series to help public-facing staff manage challenging interactions with confidence and care. Register for a Workshop Near…
Community-Centered Library Connections: Three Texas Stories of Libraries Leading with Purpose Libraries are often at their best when they help communities see new possibilities in the places they already call home. Whether connecting families with the wildlife in a nearby bay, turning a library card into a gateway to community experiences, or creating welcoming spaces…
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…
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,…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference Professional Development Award June 15, 2026 The Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) Training Office and NNLM Region 1 are requesting Professional Development Award applications to attend the…