{"id":34400,"date":"2026-07-14T11:48:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T16:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/?p=34400"},"modified":"2026-07-14T11:48:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T16:48:02","slug":"library-management-update-july-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/2026\/07\/14\/library-management-update-july-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Library Management Update: July 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Upcoming Opportunities<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These opportunities are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Core Connections: Building Sustainable Support Through Funding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

July 14, 2026  |  2:00 p.m. (Eastern)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners\u2019 (MBLC) Lyndsay Forbes, Project Manager and Grants Specialist, will lead a discussion on how to leverage grants, funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships to enhance services for special populations. Participants will learn how to identify appropriate funding sources, align project goals with target audience, and the value of building meaningful collaborations with community organizations. Antonia Stephens, Director of the Hyannis Public Library, will provide field expertise and share her experience pursuing and employing grant funds from private donors and federal and local resources to enhance library services and space for patrons with strong social service needs. Antonia’s practical strategies on finding funding sources and amplifying one’s network are practical strategies that can be applied at any library. For more information, visit the event website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Future of E-Rate: Inside the FCC’s Proposal and How to Make Your Voice Heard<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

July 16, 2026  |  2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Eastern) <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a draft proposal<\/a> that asks whether E-Rate should be limited or sunset. This webinar will explain what the proposal says and what it could mean for schools and libraries. The Schools, Health, & Libraries Broadband  (SHLB) Coalition will walk through the main parts of the proposal, including the questions about screen time, rural and urban funding, and the future of the program. They will also cover how to file a comment with the FCC, what to include, and when the comment window opens. For more information, visit the event website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Workforce Development Roundtable Talk<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

July 23, 2026  |  2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Central)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These talks are an opportunity for libraries across Texas to come together, exchange ideas, and learn from each other about the workforce development, economic development, and entrepreneurship programs happening at their libraries. Libraries are also welcome to invite community partners to talk about their collaborative experiences and success. Please join us – and invite others from your network to join too. Our next roundtable will feature a presentation from Kimberly Gay, Academic Reference and Instruction Librarian at Prairie View A&M University’s John B. Coleman Library, talking about how to leverage agricultural databases, extension resources, and evidence-based research strategies to inform decision making, improve career aspects, and foster sustaining agricultural systems. Attendance of the live webinar qualifies for 1 hour of Texas State Library Continuing Education credit. This session will be recorded for those unable to attend the live presentation. To register, visit our Upcoming Webinars<\/a> page.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Cross Timbers Library Collaborative Conference<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

July 30 – 31, 2026  |  Online<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 Cross Timbers Library Collaborative (CTLC) Conference provides the opportunity for libraries across the Cross Timbers Region to showcase activities, services, and technology happenings in their libraries related to this year\u2019s theme: “The Next Chapter: Community, Creativity, and Collaboration.” The Cross Timbers region is a unique ecological zone of woodlands and prairies that stretches from Central Texas through Oklahoma and into southeastern Kansas. For more information, visit the event website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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ThriveLib: Reclaiming Joy, Balance, and Boundaries in Librarie<\/strong>s<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

August 11-13, 2026 | Online | $50-125<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This multi-day event is a virtual conference created for librarians, library managers, and library workers who are ready to reimagine what well-being looks like in their professional lives. Library workers are experiencing rising rates of burnout, moral injury, and disconnection. ThriveLib was born out of the need for space, support, and strategies that prioritize the well-being of those who sustain our libraries every day. For more information, visit the event website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Bookmobile Grants<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

August 15, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation awards grants to organizations that operate a lending bookmobile that travels into neighborhoods populated by underserved youth. The grants are for purchasing books published for young people preschool through grade 8. Bookmobiles operated by charitable [501(c)(3)] and other non-taxable agencies, including public libraries or schools, are eligible. The Foundation provides grants to organizations that serve economically or socially at-risk children, have limited book budgets, and demonstrate real need. For more information, visit the bookmobile grants pages<\/a> on the foundation\u2019s website.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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I Partner With My Public Library Award<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

August 31, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does your library do great things with community partners? Share your story in the Let\u2019s Move in Librarie<\/em>s\u2019 Fourth Annual I Partner with My Public Library Awards. The call for nominations will remain open through August 31, 2026. For more information, visit the award webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Bolger Foundation – Capital Improvements Grant<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

September 1, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bolger Foundation provides grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 to support capital projects that create lasting impact for nonprofit organizations. Eligible projects include facility construction or expansion, building and grounds improvements, land acquisition, and the purchase of significant long-term equipment and technology. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations may apply for projects with total budgets of up to $2.5 million. Fall applications are accepted annually from June 1 through September 1. For more information, peruse the grant guidelines<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Texas America250 Reading Challenge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

December 31, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Texas Center for the Book and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission are inviting Texans statewide to log 2,500 minutes (about 41 hours) of reading, exploring Texas state parks, or giving back through service between January 1 and December 31, 2026. The Texas America250 Reading Challenge is self-reported, and readers who complete the challenge earn a special certificate. For more information, visit the event web page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ongoing Tools<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These tools are available for free unless otherwise noted. Descriptions are provided by host organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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E-book Pricing Toolkit <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries has joined the Urban Libraries Council (ULC), Public Library Association, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies<\/a>, and the Canadian Urban Libraries Council in calling for fairer e-book licensing terms from major publishers. To help libraries bring this conversation to their own communities, ULC has released a communications toolkit<\/a> with key messages; talking points for the public, decisionmakers, and authors; real cost comparisons; and customizable social graphics. For more information about this matter, read this Library Journal <\/em>article from May 28, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Meeting Exit Strategy Worksheet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Make every meeting count\u2014even after it ends. This practical worksheet helps library leaders and staff evaluate the effectiveness of their meetings by identifying key takeaways, action items, unresolved questions, and opportunities for improvement. Use it to strengthen accountability, improve communication, and ensure that meeting outcomes translate into meaningful next steps. Download the online worksheet<\/a> to support more productive meetings and turn discussion into action.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Little Free Library – Impact Grant Program<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Through the Impact Library Program, Little Free Library provides free book exchanges where they can have a meaningful impact in the United States and Canada. Direct donations and sale revenues fund this program. The program aims to strengthen community ties, inspire readers, expand easy book access, positively influence literacy outcomes, and make Little Free Libraries available in high-need areas. Applicants are notified by the end of the month after the month they applied. For more information, review the eligibility criteria on the program website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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eBranch Mini Courses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Learn everything you need to know to maintain your eBranch website! This tutorial is designed to help new and existing library staff and administration learn how to update and maintain their eBranch website. This tutorial was created in June 2026. For more information, visit the course webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Media Marketing \u2013 Building a Strategy (course)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever looked at an organization\u2019s social media and wondered how they have such clever content? Or been frustrated with your organization\u2019s social media feed because you know it could be better? Maybe you\u2019ve been asked to manage social media at work and have no idea where to start.   Building and managing a successful social media presence is harder than it looks. It\u2019s not just about randomly posting\u2014or regularly posting random things! Successful social media strategies link your online presence with organizational goals. Creating a careful strategy can help you attract attention, engage your community, and build awareness of your organization!  For more information, visit the course webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Data to Story: Communicating Nonprofit Impact That Inspires<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Impact isn\u2019t just about numbers \u2014 it\u2019s about the lives you change and the stories that bring your mission to life. Join Kari Anderson for this storytelling-centered session to explore how to connect data and human experience to craft powerful narratives that capture hearts, spark action, and deepen trust. Learn how to move beyond dry reports and transform your outcomes into meaningful, memorable stories that funders, partners, and community members can’t ignore. Through real-world examples and practical exercises, you\u2019ll gain tools to measure what matters, find the story in the data, and share your organization\u2019s impact in a way that inspires lasting support. For more information, visit the course website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rural Technology Education Grants<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rural Technology Education Grants provide funding of approximately $500\u2013$2,500 to support technology-focused learning projects in public schools and libraries across the United States. Priority is given to programs serving rural and high-poverty communities that foster long-term student engagement in fields such as computer science, cybersecurity, robotics, programming, and information technology. Funding may support maker spaces, coding clubs, robotics teams, classroom technology, and project-based learning initiatives. Applications are accepted year-round, with funding decisions typically made within 4\u20136 weeks. For more information, visit the program website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Doris Ann Norris – We Love Libraries $500 Grant<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Doris Ann Norris We Love Libraries Grant provides six $500 awards each year to public and school libraries in the United States and Canada. Sponsored by Sisters in Crime, the grant supports the purchase of library materials and the development of public programming, helping libraries strengthen collections and services for their communities. The application process is brief and ongoing, making this an accessible funding opportunity for libraries with compelling needs or innovative programming ideas. For more information, visit the program webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How to raise kids who question AI <\/strong>(TED Talk)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

AI education researcher Randi Williams has spent years studying how kids interact with technology and toys, and what she’s found should make every parent stop and think. She reveals how, as tech companies embed AI inside toys, children are forming strong emotional bonds with machines. Explore what this means for their development \u2014 and why a playful fix might start with teaching kids to break the things they love. For more information, visit the event webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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E-Read Texas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

E-Read Texas brings electronic books and audiobooks to Texans served by small community libraries in all parts of the state. E-Read Texas provides over 18,000 downloadable e-books and audiobooks and a mobile e-reader application that make it possible for all Texans served by public libraries to access e-books. The E-Read Texas collection mainly includes adult fiction and popular non-fiction. TSLAC makes this program available to eligible public libraries to opt into on a voluntary basis, and the content is primarily intended for an adult audience. For more information, visit the program website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Engaging Beyond Our Walls: Libraries connecting communities through outdoor games and stories (webinar)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Discover how libraries across the country are creating their own outdoor games and interactive stories that showcase local history, landmarks, and voices. These playful activities, often designed by library staff, include texting with murals, audio tours by Black feminist historians, ghost scavenger hunts, and “I spy” quests for architecture and culture. These low-tech creations are part of a national project, Engaging Beyond Our Walls, which aims to connect libraries with their communities in innovative ways. Learn how over 50 towns and cities have already joined in, using free templates and training from the Playful City Lab of American University and the DC Public Library. Find out how these do-it-yourself tools can help libraries of all sizes tell their own stories and build stronger places. Whether you’re looking for a small or big project, this webinar will provide you with inspiration, resources, and real outcomes that can catalyze community engagement. For more information, visit the event webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Need more support?<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Resource Archive<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wish you had access to a repository of all <\/em>the tools that are featured in the monthly Library Management Updates? <\/em>Check out our Resource Archive<\/strong><\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continuing Education<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition, be sure to peruse our continuing education offerings<\/strong><\/a>. Our resources are constantly updated, so check back often.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Questions?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For more information, visit our management services page<\/a> or contact Christina Taylor at ctaylor@tsl.texas.gov<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Connect With Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n