CTLS Office Closed July 3rd

Taylor Summer Goes Swimmingly!

While cruelly forcing the Library Director to man the Circulation Desk, the staff of the Taylor Public Library put on a puppet and variety show to an eager audience of 299 people on Wednesday, July 1st.

There was reader’s theater and song and dance. Particularly popular was the “Baby Shark” Song, and the eager audience joined right in. (You can see one version of “Baby Shark” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqV1O5eeA9Y.)

Lago Vista Brings Some Circus Fun to Young Patrons!

Schulenburg Grand Opening

The Schulenburg Public Library opened its new building, located at 310 Simpson Street, on Saturday, June 13, 2009. The new building was designed by Brad Cutright of Cutright Allen Architects in La Grange.

Joyce Kobza spearheaded the Steering Committee, which did the fundraising. Library Administrator Thadious Polasek and librarians Cindy Lytle and Donna Holub are enjoying their new location, next door to the Stanzl Model Aircraft Museum. The new building replaces the library in the old Matula home on Bohlmann Avenue.

Congratulations!

User-Centered Design Workshop

July 24, 2009, at the Thompson Conference Center, Austin.  Free to Texas library staff. During the day-long institute, participants learn about a design process for managing digital projects within a library context and learn about usability theory and methodology. The workshop is geared towards library staff that work with the library’s website, including website designers, usability practitioners, and web page editors. Register now for this free workshop, sponsored by Texas State Library.

HealthFinder.gov

Are your patrons looking for a health website that speaks their language, not Medical-ese? HealthFinder is a government-run website from Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) and its health information referral service, the National Health Information Center. It's a great place to find quick reference guides, personal health calculators, the latest information about topical issues (swine flu, for example) and tools that locate health care providers -- including federally funded health centers that care for patients even if they don't have health insurance. All resources are available in both English and Spanish.

The Future of Reading

Clive Thompson has written an interesting article in the latest Wired magazine about the future of reading (and publishing) in a digitized world. He's presenting ways that books can be a rich social experience, in addition to the way we already connect to them individually, citing BookGlutton.com as an example of what's possible. Check it out if you have a chance!

North Village Branch Opening

The Austin Public Library joined the community on Saturday, May 30, at 9 a.m. to celebrate the grand opening of the newly constructed North Village Branch located at 2505 Steck Avenue near the corner of Burnet Road and Steck Avenue. This 11,000 square foot library is replacing the 5,000 square foot storefront lease spaced facility located in the North Star Home Shopping Center at 2139 W. Anderson Lane where it has been located since 1971. This is such a beautiful building -- way to go, Austin!

Learn about Gaming

CTLS is paying for 5 people to take Infopeople's online class, Intergenerational Gaming, June 16-July 20, 2009 – a $150 value.  The course is all about how to involve kids, teens and older adults in intergenerational gaming programs.  Wouldn't it be great to offer a series of classes in the fall called, “Wii for Seniors: Beat Your Grandchildren”?  If you say yes, this class is for you.  The 4-week class is self-paced and can be accessed any time, night or day.  Plan to spend 2 1/2 hours per week on the class.  Participants will be “reference back-up” to system members who have questions on gaming and intergenerational gaming. Interested? Contact Susan Nyfeler at 512-583-0704 x17 or 800-262-4431 x17.

Westbank Branch's Grand Opening Preparations

Ready, Set, Go! Laura’s Library at Bee Cave and Cuernavaca is set to open on Sunday, July 19th at 2:00. You and every member of your family  are invited but…to get there, they have to unpack and build thousands of shelves, move $300,000 worth of furniture and open 1200 boxes of books! Westbank has appreciated a gratifying response from the community but they want everyone to have the opportunity to be part of their great undertaking.  Lisa Charbonnet asks that you run another plug about volunteering at your schools and libraries. There are amazing volunteer opportunities as well as a gift registry that will help make this opening a success.

Llano's Volunteer Appreciation Party

Check out Llano's Volunteer Appreciation Garden Party pictures on Flickr. Looks like a great party -- what a wonderful way to thank volunteers and build community!

Senior Programming Tea Party Postponed

We'd like to make a correction to our 2009 Workshops Brochure distributed in September, 2008: Our May 1 workshop entitled Senior Programming Show-n-Tell Tea Party has been postponed until this coming September. We will post more details about this exciting event soon!

Texas Reading Club Video

Texas State Library has announced that the video for the 2009 Texas Reading Club, "Libraries: Deep in the Heart of Texas!" is now available for you to use in promoting your summer reading clubs!

The video is available on the Texas Reading Club web site.  Downloadable WMV and MPG formats will be added very shortly! The video was created by Janette Johnson and the talented staff at the Round Rock Public Library RRPL).  The Texas State Library contracted with RRPL to allow libraries statewide to use the video. 

Altered Books Indeed

This sculpture, titled Biografías , by artist Alicia Martín, was made using 5,000 books, all biographies. It was on display recently in Córdoba, Spain. Wow!

OIF's Top Ten Challenged Books of 2008

The Office for Intellectual Freedom has released their list of the Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008. The children’s book, “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, remains at the top of the list for the third year in a row. “Tango” still faces frequent challenges for reasons that include religious viewpoint, homosexuality, and age appropriateness.  OIF received a total of 513 challenges i n 2008, up from 420 total challenges in 2007. For every challenge reported to OIF, however, ALA estimates that there are 4 or 5 challenges that go unreported.

Taylor Public Library Gets Avatars

Check out Taylor Public Library's staff page -- they have put animated faces to their names. Says Karen, "Betty and I were inspired at TLA to try something we saw in a presentation, and already had the training through the CTLS 23 Things.  We’ve added Meez avatars to our staff contact page".  We love it!

Harker Heights's New Building

Harker Heights Public Library and Activites Center is now at 400 Indian Trail in Harker Heights, TX 76548. Congratulations to the Harker Heights staff - we can't wait to see the new building!

Stimulus Funding

The Texas Library Association has developed a chart (based on evolving information available and charts on the Comptroller’s website) that discusses various areas of funding and Texas Libraries, so if you're looking for some funding, this might be a good chart to keep an eye on.  Here's also a document on Where to Find Information on Stimulus Funding, which Laurie picked up at the TLA conference in Houston. Great info - thanks, TLA!

CTLS Award Winners

We're so proud of our CTLS Award Winners in the categories of Board Director of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, and Friends Group of the Year. Check out the whole story on our Board News page.

Ready to Read in Buda!

(March 25, 2009) Mackenzie, a 5th grade Girl Scout at Buda Elementary School, is earning her Girl Scout Bronze Award as a Ready to Read partner with the Buda Public Library. Martha Sanders, Children's Librarian at Buda PL, reports that while she is providing Ready to Read parenting classes in one room, Mackenzie is reading to the children. Mackenzie worked with her mother and Martha to create three different storytimes with age-appropriate activities, puppet shows and other learning activities for children. The 10-year-old is also publishing three theme-related brochures for parents. Each brochure (the first one is "Buggy" About Books), includes stories, songs, fingerplays, healthy snacks and fun games parents can play with their children. Read the entire story in the Hays Free Press. Or read about other Ready to Read success stories.

Austin PL's Cool Librarians

How did we miss this gem? This wonderful PSA was released at the end of January, 2009. Alison O'Reilly (who's also part of our CE Committee) leads the smart and lovely trio as they segue through Austin, letting patrons know what the "library can do for you..." We love it!

La Grange's Mission Accomplished

Thanks to Fayette Public Library and its Interlibrary Loan program, patron Marie Watts accomplished her decade long quest to read every book listed in the Top 100 novels of the 20th century, compiled by the editorial board of Modern Library and published in the Houston Chronicle in 1998. Congratulations, Marie! Read the press release.

Public Libraries Included in Recovery Funding

From ilovelibraries.org website: President Obama has signed "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" into law as of this week. Thanks to all who made calls to ensure libraries were included as part of the package! Library advocates must be determined in our efforts to ensure that libraries have the resources they need to continue delivering the exceptional services the public depends upon. Read more...

Performer's List 2009

Suzan has updated this year's Performers and Speakers List for all of those looking for educational and fun programming at your library. For a full list of central Texas performers and speakers, check out the CTLS Performers & Speakers List.

Salado Statue Dedication

The Salado Public Library was the scene of a wonderful event on Saturday Dec 6. The Friends of the Library and a host of community supporters unveiled a bronze sculpture "Once Upon a Time" commemorating the many contributions of Dr. B.J. (Betty Jane) McConnell. Dr. B.J. was a founder of the library in 1985 and subsequently served as librarian in 1993. In 1998 she became one of the first directors elected to the Salado Library District Board. Over 100 people were on hand to honor the contribution of this lovely library lady. More pictures...

Smithville Open House

Smithville invited the entire community to its Holiday Open House, and just about everyone came!  This much anticipated annual event featured train and carriage rides, book walk, refreshments with Santa Claus, and an on-going dominoes game.  The featured author Bill Bishop, the author of the Big Sort signed books and talked about his new book which is causing quite a buzz.  Congratulations to the entire staff for pulling off such a fun event. More pictures...

Librarian Talks Video Games, Education

Trish Runyan, assistant director of the Herman Brown Free Library in Burnet, was the guest blogger for Omar Gallaga, who writes about technology culture for the Austin-American Statesman.  Check out her post.  Go Trish!

Teenreads Newsletter

Suzan recommends subscribing to the teenreads.com free e-newsletter. Teenreads.com bring teens info and features about their favorite authors, books, series and characters.

Latinos and Public Library Perceptions Report Now Available

In partnership with the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute, WebJunction surveyed more than 2,860 Latinos in six U.S. states about their library use and perceptions of libraries. The results indicate that 54% percent of the Latino population visited libraries in the past year, and that Latinos hold positive perceptions of libraries. Read the findings plus recommendations for how to increase Latino library use.

Ready to Read Wiki

Check out the Ready to Read Wiki for resources about CTLS's Every Child Ready to Read grant. Librarians and Head Start staff will find useful information to help you LEARN, REACH and TEACH early literacy skills to families in your communities.

Flickr Pro Donation Program with TechSoup

The Flickr photo sharing service has teamed up with TechSoup Stock to offer premium "pro" accounts to individuals within eligible organizations. Flickr is a new way for organizations to tell their story. With a Flickr account, individuals can showcase and chronicle their organization's work through their own photography. For example, by creating a group photo pool and encouraging discussions, Flickr members can build awareness of an organization's work. Check out more great software discounts from TechSoup.

Georgetown PL's Oral History Project

Georgetown Public Library and Williamson County Historical Museum are starting an oral history project, which was featured in the Austin American-Statesman's September 2nd article. They're beginning their oral history project with desegregation, recording memories from people who were involved in the desegregation drive in Georgetown, and will later extend to pre-WWII Georgetown and other topics. For more info, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Austin PL Receives Book Discussion Grant

The Austin Public Library is pleased to announce that it has received the Fetzer Institute and American Library Association Grant: Love and Forgiveness in the Light of Death book discussion series grant. Frank Schmitzer, Branch Manager at the University Hills Branch Library will be traveling to Chicago for his training, Dr. Reverend Maggie Izutsu is committed to leading each of the five book discussions, and ALA has calendared these discussions from January to May at the University Hills Branch Library.

REaD Alert from Booklist

Sign up to receive REaD ALERT, a free e-newsletter featuring quick links to a hand-picked selection of book reviews, features, and special web-only content from Booklist Online.

Tocker Grants Awarded to Salado and Bartlett

Tocker Foundation is funding Salado Public Library's space utilization project, worth $24, 650.  We will keep you posted as this merchandising project takes shape. Also, the Teinert Memorial Library received a grant for $5,000 from Tocker Foundation to buy books. Congrats to both libraries!

Member Suggestion Box

Have a great idea you'd like to share with us? Do you think there's something CTLS needs to improve? We welcome your suggestions.

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