Volume 42 No. 3 | March 2023 |
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Legislative update
The deadline for legislators to fill bills for this session is Friday, March 10. For a complete list of bills that TLA is tracking, go here. We are tracking many bills impacting all types of libraries this session. If you have any questions about any of the bills, please contact Wendy at TLA. Learn about the latest activity at the Texas Capitol at one of our members-only Legislative Update webinars (March 21, repeated March 23). And join us for "Telling Your Story to be an Advocate for Texas Libraries," at TLA 2023 (see more under conference news below.)
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Vote in TLA Elections - deadline March 15
TLA Elections opened February 15. If you renewed your 2023 membership on or before January 31, you are eligible to vote and should have received your ballot from ElectionBuddy. Learn about TLA's Executive Board candidates here. Learn about Unit Officer candidates here. The candidates for President-Elect recorded their messages to TLA voters. View David Baca’s video and Elizabeth A.M. Howard’s video. Deadline to submit your votes is March 15. If you run into any issues with voting or are unable to locate your ballot, please reach out to txla@electionbuddy.com between 9 AM to 5 PM CT, Monday to Friday, for assistance.
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TLA 2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS |
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Just added! Telling Your Story to be an Advocate for Texas Libraries
Wednesday, April 19 | 9:00 - 11:30 am
Now more than ever, we need to share our stories with elected officials. They need to understand how the legislation they are debating at the Texas Capitol will impact not only libraries, but also students and others who rely on libraries in their communities. Join us to learn how you can be an advocate for Texas libraries by sharing your stories about the importance of your library and the difference it makes in the lives of those you serve. Following the session, attendees will visit their elected officials, accompanied by an experienced member of the TLA Legislative Committee. Register for this preconference by March 31. $15.
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March 31 is the deadline to purchase ticketed events!
From pre-conference events like Texas Bluebonnet Award Speed Dating; to ticketed social events like the Opening Awards and Author Session, the BCRT Author Session and the Texas Bluebonnet Award Author Session, you have until March 31 to purchase tickets. You can find the tickets in the member event registration area under Annual Conference. To add a ticketed event, if you have already registered for conference: log in, look under "your current registrations" and select TLA Annual Conference. Then select "edit registration/add ticket/pay" to add event tickets. Learn more about ticketed author sessions.
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Evening with the Authors lineup announced!
Authors Amanda Eyre Ward, Neal Shusterman, Tom Clavin and Eric Elfman will join us for a panel discussion. Sit down and relax with a three-course plated dinner and enjoy the literary conversation! Thursday, April 20th, 6-8 p.m. Hilton Austin. Learn more and register.
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Call for TLA 2023 volunteers
Volunteers should be willing to volunteer for a minimum of two consecutive hours. While librarians must be registered for the conference, paraprofessionals and support staff who are not registered for the conference will receive a complimentary exhibits-only pass with four hours of volunteer service. We are especially in need of conveners! Sign up to volunteer.
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Book your hotel through onPeak
Book your hotel, rooms are filling fast! In partnership with onPeak, we have secured discounted rates at a selection of Austin hotels. onPeak offers convenient hotel options with flexible change and cancellation policies. We encourage you to book through them early for the best selection and price. Exclusive hotel rates expire starting March 27. Book your hotel here.
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Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner Announced
More than 70,000 students across Texas voted and the results are in! The winner of the 2023 Texas Bluebonnet Award is Memoirs of a Tortoise, written by Devin Scillian and illustrated by Tim Bowers. Read the full release. Watch the video.
Tickets for the Texas Bluebonnet Award Author Session and Texas Bluebonnet Award Speed Dating must be purchased by March 31 through preregistration.
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Volunteer for the TBA Author Session
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Applications open for Texas Book Festival Collections Enhancement Grants
The Texas Book Festival awards grants to support collection enhancement for Texas public libraries. Libraries across Texas can now apply for a 2023 grant to help expand their library collections and share the diversity and breadth of literature with their communities. These Texas Book Festival Collections Enhancement Grants are made possible by funds raised at the annual Festival and through TBF's generous donors. Since 1996, the organization has funded 1,169 grants totaling over $3 million to 600+ libraries in every corner of the state. Deadline is April 26. Apply today.
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Tocker Foundation Rural Libraries Workshops - Collecting All Voices
The Tocker Foundation has partnered with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and the Texas Library Association to offer nine one-day workshops for rural libraries focused on collection development and how to navigate the current challenging times libraries are facing. The workshops are free to attend.
Dates and Locations:
April 3: Aubrey
April 4: Hewitt
April 10: Amarillo
April 27: Alpine
May 2: Abilene
May 5: Boerne
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TLA Talks: Converse & Connect Your Way to Career Success & Satisfaction (Even if You're An Introvert)
March 21, 3 pm – 4 pm CT
Author Patti deNucci shares some of her foundational strategies and try-today tips that will bring your conversations and connections to a whole new level and help you achieve professional success. Learn more and register.
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TLA Legislative Update Webinars
March 21, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Members of the TLA Legislative Committee and staff will provide an update on the 88th Legislative Session and bills impacting libraries. Free, open to TLA members only. Register.
March 23, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Members of the TLA Legislative Committee and staff will provide an update on the 88th Legislative Session and bills impacting libraries. Free, open to TLA members only. Register.
This is a repeat of the March 21 update.
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Baylor Alumnae to Discuss Leading Texas Libraries
March 31, 2:30 PM CT (Zoom and in person)
Gloria Meraz, director and librarian of the Texas State Library and Archives, and Mary Marlow Woodard, TLA President, will be interviewed by Lori Fogleman at Baylor University. Free and available both in-person and via Zoom Webinar. Learn more.
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When Commitment Isn’t Enough: Sustaining EDI Action for TLA Growth
April 3, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM CST
Virtual presentation
Presenter: Mariama Boney, LMSW, CAE, CPEC. Mariama will uncover the inclusive strategies and future-focused approaches to persist and persevere as TLA leaders. Register.
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2023 TLA Officer Governance Training and Workshop
July 12 - 14, Austin
Ready to hone your skills as a TLA officer? TLA committee and unit officers (chairs, vice chairs and chairs-elect) 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. Learn more and register.
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Names in the News
Hillsboro City Library is one of four libraries in the nation selected to participate in adapting, evaluating and distributing “Talk with Me Toolkits,” a pilot early literacy program created by the Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology. Learn more.
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