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…
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,…
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…
Imagine that the Gotham Public Library, a small rural library in Texas, has recently received a request for help from its group of local homeschool families—the Arkham Angels—that is looking for appropriate young adult graphic novels for this year’s book club. In the past, the library had a brief, outdated collection development policy that didn’t…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. 2026 Infinite Sums Rural & Small Libraries Cohort Grant Program September 1-30, 2025 The Infinite Sums Rural & Small Libraries Cohort Grant Program is supported by the Simons Foundation as part of its Infinite Sums national initiative and…
What started out as a sizeable donation of custom-built video games from the county’s STEM club was quickly joined by the late Mr. Nguyen’s golden age Superman comics and his daughter’s childhood collection of rare Shojo manga—only to then be expanded by Ms. Gordon’s crafting overstock that was curated by the library’s teen advisory board…
August for public libraries is a transitional month. The summer buzz winds down and the pace slows giving space to regroup, refocus, and get ready for the busy fall months. But even in this quieter stretch, the to-do list never seems to shrink, and for many, it often feels like there’s not enough time to…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Foundations of Philanthropic Partnership August 6, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. (Eastern) Ready to transform how you approach philanthropy? Join Mary Riddick for this foundational session to shift your perspective from traditional fundraising to authentic partnership-building. Discover how to…
Upcoming Opportunities These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations. Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program provides $10,000 in funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to start the Community Heart & Soul model. Grant funding requires…
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…