Volume 42 No. 4 | May 2023 |
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Legislative Update
There are 18 days remaining in the Texas Legislative Session and some key deadlines have passed while others are coming up soon.
- May 8: Last day for House committees to pass House bills
- May 12: Last day for full House to pass House bills
- May 20: Last day for House committees to pass Senate bills
- May 23: Last day for full House to consider Senate bills
HB 900 which requires vendors to rate materials sold to school libraries is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Education committee today (May 11).
SB 13 which establishes Local School Library Advisory Councils at districts and requires school boards to approve all library materials to be purchased or that are donated has been referred to the House State Affairs Committee and we expect it to be scheduled for a hearing the week of May 15.
SB 18 which prohibits universities from offering tenure was heard in the House Higher Education Committee on May 8 and left pending. The bill's House sponsor, Rep. Kuempel laid out an amended version of the bill which codifies tenure in state law and requires university governing boards to have clear guidelines for granting tenure, conduct regular performance reviews, and ensure policy specifies instances where tenured professors can be fired. We expect the bill will end up in a conference committee.
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Help Spread the Word: Texas Digital Opportunity Plan
The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) is gathering information to write the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan. The plan will serve as a roadmap for expanding the availability of reliable and affordable broadband, device access, digital skills training and cybersecurity awareness to promote digital opportunities for all Texans.
Public Survey
The Texas Digital Opportunity Public Survey enables community members to share the barriers that prevent them from being able to easily access the internet and leverage its use for education, healthcare, economic development and access to essential services.
The survey is available online and in print. The BDO has provided this tool-kit which includes ideas for sharing the survey, and how to coordinate with them on submitting completed paper surveys. Please share the public survey with your patrons.
Organization Survey - Complete for Your Library by June 1
The BDO wants to hear from organizations, including libraries, that help people in the community access the internet, computers or other devices, digital skills training or other information resources. The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete.
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TLA Technology Update: New Members-Only Portal
TLA has invested in a new, robust, web-based Association Management System (AMS) called Nimble. This new AMS will be much more user-friendly and will streamline workflow for the TLA staff. The transition to Nimble is planned for mid-June. There will be a short period of time this summer when the current TLA members-only site will be shut down before Nimble goes live. We will post updates regularly in TLA Engage.
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Submit a TLA 2024 Conference Proposal
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Submit a nomination for Texas Library Champions!
We're looking for champions of the Texas library community - individuals and organizations whose influence has changed the landscape of Texas libraries. The individuals and organizations selected will be added to the list of Texas Library Champions that was compiled in 2002 in commemoration of TLA's 100th anniversary celebration. Learn more and make a nomination here. Deadline to submit is July 31.
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TALL Texans application deadline extended to Monday, May 22 at 5 PM
Get your application in for 2023 TALL Texans! Watch this YouTube video to see how to apply using our new XCD application portal. Then when you're ready, apply here. You can find more details about the program here. No letters of recommendation required.
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TLA 2023 CE credit
Need to download and print your CE certificates for the TLA 2023 Annual Conference? You can find directions here.
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TLA 2023 photos
View and download photos of the TLA 2023 conference here.
Password: austin
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Job opening: TLA Member Services Coordinator
Come join us at TLA! We are looking for a Member Services Coordinator. The person in this position will provide professional support to members and guests whether in person at our office, over the phone, via email or onsite at events. This position will support our membership and administration office functions as well as other teams as needed.
Applications will remain open until May 26, 2023, 5 p.m. or until filled; to apply please submit your resume, cover letter, salary requirements and availability to: Shirley Robinson, CAE; Executive Director, Texas Library Association
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TLA Talks
Potentially Disruptive AI: New Tools, New Challenges – ChatGPT
May 23, 3 pm – 4 pm CT
ChatGPT is a newly released AI tool that has the potential to disrupt writing and communication. It can write beautifully — but the content can be nonsense. It can also explain complex ideas very well. There are other AI tools that can create and manipulate visual media. We explore these tools through the lens of curiosity rather than suppressing them. User participation is encouraged! Learn more and register. Free for members, $25 for non-members.
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TLA Legislative Session Wrap-up
June 5, 10:30 am - 11:30 am CT
Free; TLA members only
The 88th Texas Legislative Session ended May 29. Join us for a re-cap of the key bills passed that will impact Texas libraries.
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Leverage Your Library for Learning
Amplify the power of your school library! This three-part virtual webinar series (each part is 12-1 PM on June 14, 15 and 20) is designed to provide resources and information to school administrators seeking to build their school library program in partnership with librarians. Sessions will be recorded. Speakers are: Lisa Kulka, Director of Libraries and Instructional Materials at Northside ISD; Marissa Saenz, Director for Instructional Technology & Library Services, Mission CISD; and Wendy Woodland, Director of Advocacy & Communications, Texas Library Association. Encourage your school administrators to register! More information and link to register here.
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Hone your skills at the 2023 TLA Officer Governance Training and Workshop
TLA committee and unit officers should plan to attend the TLA Officer Governance Training and Workshop (formerly known as Annual Assembly) in order to prepare for their 2023-2024 roles.
When: Wednesday July 12 – Friday July 14
Where: In Austin at the UT Commons Conference Center: free parking, conveniently located across from the Domain with many nearby shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities
Cost: member registration (Wednesday-Friday) – $79; member registration (Thursday-Friday) – $49
Registration deadline: June 30.
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Register for LAUNCH today!
LAUNCH is a TLA leadership program designed for library professionals with less than five years of experience. This year, LAUNCH will be held in person in Austin. In this course, you will learn and expand leadership skills through group work, self-directed learning, and internal reflection. Instructors are: Lynda Infante Huerta, Faculty Librarian and Assistant Professor at Austin Community College; Emma McDonald, Director of Library Services at Mesquite ISD; Roberto Zapata, Assistant Director of Customer Experience, Houston Public Library
When: July 27-29, 2023
Cost: $249 for TLA members, $279 for non-members. (Does not include hotel fee). Space is limited so register soon!
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Names in the News
Thomas Winston Cole, Sr. Library received a $7,000 grant from the HBCU Library Alliance for a Preservation Needs Assessment Survey to assess our archives & special collections. An on-site visit with a preservation consultant will be hosted this summer at the library to survey over 150 years of Wiley College history and memorabilia.
Rose Aleta Laurell, the longtime Director of Library Services at the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, passed away in November 2022. Our condolences to her friends and family.
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ALA Annual Conference June 22-27 |
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It’s the largest and most impactful conference of the year! Join the American Library Association (ALA) this summer in Chicago at the ALA 2023 Annual Conference & Exhibition. The exciting conference will bring thousands of library professionals together to learn, share, connect, and have a great time. Find the more than 200 education programs created by library professionals, 700+ top authors, 10 memorable speakers, 550+ exhibitors, and plenty of fun activities listed in the Conference Scheduler.
If you can’t join us onsite, you can register for the virtual Digital Experience— an opportunity to view sessions live-streamed directly to wherever you are – and registration includes on-demand access to these sessions through August 31, 2023. Secure your spot today! Register at alaannual.org.
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