Volume 38 No. 7 | November 2019
A message from our president
ALA Responds to Congressional Inquiry on Competition in Digital Markets
Current practices by content publishers and distributors in digital markets limit libraries’ ability to deliver core services, according to a new report publicly released by the American Library Association (ALA). Submitted in response to an inquiry from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law, ALA’s report underscores practices by companies like Amazon and Macmillan Publishers that threaten Americans’ right to read what and how they choose and imperil other fundamental First Amendment freedoms. Learn more.
Macmillan CEO John Sargent Responds to #eBooksforAll
In response to thousands of signatures on the #eBooksforAll petition, spearheaded by ALA, Sargent released this statement.
Executive Director Search Update
The task force is working hard and making great progress in the search process. After virtual interviews with six candidates, three were selected for in-person interviews. Those interviews are complete and the task force is evaluating the candidates before sharing recommendations with the Executive Board which will make the final hiring decision.

Seeking Committee Volunteers
TLA continues to seek applicants for committee posts for 2020-2021. TLA President-elect Christina Gola will be making many of those appointments on November 21.
If you are interested, apply here.
____ Note: This does not include the Texas Bluebonnet Award committee, which has a separate process; application deadlines for TBA have already passed.
Apply for Library Census Equity Fund Mini-grants
ALA is now accepting applications for Library Census Equity Fund mini-grants. Applications are due Nov. 22 . Twenty-five libraries will receive $2,000 mini-grants to bolster their service to hard-to-count communities and help achieve a complete count in the 2020 Census. All types of libraries and library organizations are eligible to apply.
Nominations are now open for 2020 TLA Awards and Scholarships.
There are many incredible librarians and library projects throughout Texas. It's time to nominate them! To learn more about the different awards and to nominate someone, go here. Future librarians, several scholarships are available as well! Learn more here.



Renew Today and Tell a Friend! Don't forget to renew your membership and remind your colleagues to do so as well. And if your co-workers are not members yet, it's a great time to join! Renewals will be good through December 31, 2020. Renew or join here.
TLA 2020 News
Membership + Conference 
Back for 2020, TLA’s conference packages include your conference registration and annual individual TLA membership. The upgraded package includes conference registration, membership dues, Opening and Closing Author Sessions, and Evening with the Authors. Packages are available until November 30.

Register and pay online and save $25! Purchase Orders available for TLA Institutional Members only.   
Presentation Opportunities
TLA 2020 offers several opportunities for you to share your expertise in shorter sessions designed to encourage sharing and discussion.


Learn more about these opportunities here.
Reserve your hotel room
Hotel spaces are filling up for TLA 2020, so we encourage you to make your hotel bookings as soon as possible. Book your hotel now!
Dynamic Duos: Laverne and Shirley. Batman and Robin. Teacher and Librarian!
Do you know a classroom teacher who would enjoy the TLA Annual Conference? 
Connect with your teachers, encourage their innovation, inspire them to greater collaboration, and impact their instruction by inviting your teachers to join you at this year’s Teacher Day @ TLA ! On Thursday, March 26, 2020, up to 100 classroom teachers will have the opportunity to participate in this special one-day event during the TLA conference, comprised of speakers, activities, and pricing designed just for them.
 
The 2020 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits will take place in Philadelphia, January 24-28, 2020, hosting educators, writers, publishers, and exhibitors from the library industry.
Join us for the Symposium on the Future of Libraries , offering updates, policy priorities and strategies. Visit the Exhibits with expert organizations and LIVE stages with author and publisher content. Follow #alamw20 for updates.

Continuing Education
All webinars are FREE to TLA members. Visit the TLA Webinar  page for more information. (All times are Central Time.)
For information about the Webinar A-Z sessions, please visit the A-Z training page .
November 20  12 – 12:30pm
November 20 1-2 p.m.
December 4  12 – 12:30pm
December 10 1-2 p.m.
December 11  12 – 12:30pm
December 18  12 – 12:30pm
January 8  12 – 12:30pm
January 14 1-2 p.m.

Don't miss the upcoming TLA Talks monthly membership meetings with TLA President Cecilia Barham.

December 6 2:30 – 3 p.m.
January 10 2:30 – 3 p.m.
Texas Library Association
3355 Bee Cave Road, Suite 401, Austin, Texas 78746-6763
Phone: 512-328-1518 | Fax: 512-328-8852