Our members passionately believe that all citizens shall have the right to free inquiry and the right to form their own opinions. Censorship in any form is not only a threat to individual knowledge and growth, but to the foundation of our democracy.

TLA is committed to supporting intellectual freedom. State and local efforts to censor information, curriculum, or other resources infringe on this important right.

We strongly oppose efforts to restrict education related to racism and history. 

We will support our members facing these challenges by providing tools and resources to assist them in countering false information and encouraging conversations that include diverse points of view in their communities and classrooms. Read the full statement.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the TSLAC “Texans Need Strong Libraries” Initiative happen! This was one of TLA’s main legislative priorities and we appreciate everyone who made calls, wrote emails and provided testimony in support. This $3.75 million appropriation was added to the TSLAC budget by the 87th Texas Legislature (regular session). These funds will support the development of quality library services across Texas, with special attention to job seeker initiatives, digital inclusion, affordable e-resources and increased digital access to primary historical sources. 

We are excited to announce that we are migrating our communications from the Lyris listservs our groups currently use to TLA Engage, a brand-new communication platform which launches August 30. TLA Engage will be the centralized space for TLA members to communicate, share resources and connect with other members. Join us for the free Introduction to TLA Engage webinar August 25 from 3- 4pm. Register today!  

Humanities Texas 2021 Relief Grants are designed to help Texas museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, and other humanities-focused organizations respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Humanities Texas staff will hold free weekly webinars about the 2021 Relief Grants throughout August. Applicants may request funds for general operating support or humanities programming. Learn more, sign up for a webinar and apply here.

The Texas Council of Academic Libraries (TCAL) annual conference and meeting will be held virtually on Monday, September 13, 2021. It will be an opportunity to interact with other Texas academic library leaders and library vendors; and hear from library thinkers and Texas Information and Library School deans. Register for the conference here.  

We’re looking forward to many beloved traditions - like Texas Bluebonnet book parties and voting parties - happening in person again. Don’t forget to register your school or public library for TBA voting. Most registrations will be a renewal. Register your school or public library here. For a wealth of resources, including tracking charts for this year’s TBA nominees, go to the Resources page. The annotated list is here.

As a 501(c)(3) education non-profit, the Texas Library Association relies on the generosity of library supporters to enable us to carry out our mission. Thank you to all of the individuals, organizations, and foundations that donated this past fiscal year *Contributions for FY2021, July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. Thank you FY2021 donors!

August 25 | Introducing TLA Engage | 3-4pm

August 31 | TLA TALKS: The Pedagogy of Poetry; Beyond Shakespeare and Robert Frost | 3:30-4:30pm

Dr. Sarah Evans of the University of North Texas Information Sciences Department received a six-figure award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Development Award.) Evans was approved for funding for a project and partnership with the University of Alabama, the Pottsboro Area Library, and the Tuscaloosa Public Library.

Christina Taylor is the new Youth Services Consultant at Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC.)

Check out our new podcast episode, where we interview Mark Smith, the Director of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and State Librarian. And make sure to read our new Member Spotlight for this month, featuring Lynda Infante, Faculty Librarian and Assistant Professor, Austin Community College.

Make your reservations for TLA 2022 in Fort Worth beginning September 1. You can book through OnPeak to get the best rates and easy access to the convention center. Go here on 9/1 or after to book your room. TLA 2022 is April 25-28. 

Have you been doing something unique and innovative in your library? Share your great ideas in the fast format of a lightning talk. Proposals are due November 1, 2021. Great Ideas Lighting Talks are five-minute sessions that engage the audience and feature new or innovative ideas. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2021. More information and link to application here.

Call for Makers and Innovators! Share your enthusiasm and projects with librarians from across Texas at the Innovation Lab at TLA 2022. Innovative librarians, makers and students show off a project, idea or a demo of a successful program or project completed in their own libraries. Proposals are due September 17, 2021. More information and link to application here.