Public Invited to Discuss Strategy and Direction of State Support for Texas Libraries

Tuesday, January 21, 2014 • Austin, TX • News Release

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission, which provides support for 560 libraries statewide, invites the public to offer feedback to help the agency develop its strategic plan for 2015-2019.

State Librarian Mark Smith, who assumed leadership of the agency last November, aims to involve librarians, library patrons and supporters, community leaders and any other persons interested in helping the State Library plan its future.

“This year we are making a special effort to reach out to our key stakeholders across the state to get their feedback on ways in which our agency can help Texas libraries achieve their goals,” Smith said. “We also welcome feedback regarding our archival and records management roles, as well as our services to the blind and visually impaired through our Talking Book Program.”

He invites stakeholders to think about the following issues:

• What major issues and challenges will impact libraries in the coming years?
• What broad trends in society, education, culture, technology and economics are changing the way people use your library or that can provide opportunities for your library to better serve your community?
• What services does the State Library currently address or could address in the future to help your library?

Librarians are invited to participate in a webinar with Smith on February 5 (rescheduled from January 28) to talk about the future of libraries and, specifically, the future of the Texas State Library. Register for this webinar here: http://bit.ly/smith-webinar

In addition to the webinar, Smith will be leading public discussions in eight Texas cities:

• Friendswood: January 29, 10am – Noon, Friendswood Public Library, 416 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, TX 77546 | (281) 482-7135
• Conroe: January 29, 3-5pm, Montgomery County Memorial Library, Central Branch, 104 I-45 North, Conroe, TX 77301 | (936) 539-7814
• Diboll: February 7, 10am – Noon, T.L.L. Temple Memorial Library, 300 Park Street, Diboll, TX 75941 | (936) 829-5497
• Waco: February 18, 10am – Noon, Waco-McLennan County Library, Central Library, 1717 Austin Ave., Waco, TX 76701 | (254) 750-5944
• Midland: February 19, 10am – Noon, Midland County Public Library, Centennial Library, 2305 W. Loop 250 N, Midland, TX 79705 | (432) 742-7400
• San Antonio: February 20, 10am – Noon, San Antonio Public Library, Central Library, 600 Soledad, San Antonio, TX 78205 | (210) 207-2500
• Amarillo: February 25, 10 am – Noon, Amarillo Public Library, Downtown Library, 413 E. 4th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101 | (806) 378-3054
• Abilene: March 17, 10-11am, Abilene Public Library, Main Library, 202 Cedar St., Abilene, TX 79601 | (325) 676-6067

All are invited to attend these discussions and to provide feedback on Twitter by using the hashtag #TexasLibraries. Connect to Mark Smith @TSLAC_Director and the State Library @TSLAC.

Later this year the agency will submit its strategic plan to the Legislative Budget Board and state lawmakers. This document is required every two years from all state agencies and is a foundation for the creation of the agency’s legislative appropriation request.

For more information, please contact Tracy Kuhn Lash, Executive Assistant, at tlash@tsl.texas.gov or (512) 463-5460.