On September 9th the Giddings Public Library hosted their 12th Annual Word Wrangler Fest where they celebrate Texas authors. Check out the list of Texas authors that came out to celebrate!
Texas Word Wrangler Festival in Giddings
TxLa Webinar on Disaster Preparedness
From Wendy Woodland, Director of Communications of the Texas Library Association:
Libraries in southeast Texas are just now beginning the long process of recovery after Hurricane Harvey, and this disaster has made many libraries around the state questioning their readiness in the event of a natural disaster.
Join us for a FREE webinar on Wednesday, September 27 at 2pm. to learn how to bring damaged libraries back after a disaster. Our special guest is Susan Quinn, director of Ocean Beaches Public Library in New Jersey. Her community was devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and she has critical advice and insights into recovery, and preparing for future disasters.
Wednesday, September 27
2-3pm central time
REGISTER<https://join.onstreammedia.com/register/ 80146595/harveyreg>
TSLAC opens “Rebuilding Texas Libraries” Disaster Relief Grants Program
From the TSLAC website:
Rebuilding Texas Libraries Grants
These grants funds Texas library services and programs to aid libraries that sustained damage by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. They assist libraries in restoring services and programs to their patrons.
This grant program will fund operating expenditures such as library supplies and materials, technology, furniture, and contractual services. To be eligible, grant expenses must be reasonable and in accordance with appropriate state or local operating policies and procedures. Further, all grant expenses must be designed to respond directly to the disaster.
For further information on grant amount, eligible activities, and libraries that are eligible to recieve funds, please visit this page of the TSLAC website.
Library Grand Opening in Del Rio
Congratulations to the staff of the Val Verde County Library for the upcoming Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to take place on Friday, September 22nd, 2017 at 10am. We look forward to seeing your beautiful facility!
Central Texas Performer Showcase Registration is Now Available
Do you ever need to hire an educational, entertaining performer for a school, library, museum or community event? Our annual Performer Showcase features some of the best educational and entertaining performers and speakers for children, teens and adults. Register to attend the Showcase here and see the talent before you hire!
CTLS Central Texas Performer Showcase
Friday, November 3, 2017
Georgetown Public Library
402 West 8th Street
Georgetown, Texas
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Refreshments and registration begin at 8:30 a.m.
Attendee Registration:
Cost is $30 for CTLS member libraries; $60 for non-members.
Fees include refreshments; lunch is on your own.
For more information, contact katelyn.patterson@ctls.net or 512-583-0704 or 800-262-4431.
Check out over 400 entries in the CTLS Texas Performer and Speaker Database!
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month
This year’s Library Card Sign-Up Month resources feature DC Super Heroes, the Teen Titans. Posters and bookmarks are available for purchase through ALA. There are also press releases and PSA scripts in both English and Spanish, sample Tweets, Twitter and Facebook sized images, and many other great resources available here. Check them out and use them to promote this month!
TSLAC to offer “Rebuilding Texas Libraries” Disaster Relief Grants
From Mark Smith, Director of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission:
On September 18 we will open applications for “Rebuilding Texas Libraries,” disaster relief grants to public, school, and academic libraries in Texas counties affected by Hurricane Harvey. We will make at least $300,000 in Library Services and Technology Act Funds available to libraries in counties declared a disaster area or a sheltering jurisdiction by Governor Greg Abbott.
More information on Rebuilding Texas Libraries grants in included in this press release issued today:https://www.tsl.texas.gov/news/2017/tslac_disaster_relief__grant
We appreciate the flexibility and support of the Institute for Museum and Library Services for working with us to be able to make these funds available on an emergency basis. Guidelines will be issued on September 18 and streamlined grant applications will be due by October 16.
Texas Library Recovery Connection
From Wendy Woodland, Director of Communications of the Texas Library Association:
As the long slow process of recovery begins, we are beginning to hear about libraries facing tremendous damage and total devastation. Librarians are returning to determine their most immediate and long term needs for assistance.
The Texas Library Association developed the Texas Library Recovery Connection an online information<http://www.txla.
org/library-recovery> sharing system to help connect those offering assistance to libraries in need. The Google spreadsheet<https://docs. google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x_ iuLXoK79MAeQMes5cD9_viCR- j9n4h7dzWOmyjdq0/edit#gid=0>, similar to those developed by other grassroots groups, is a tool where librarians and library supporters can enter pertinent information. There are two worksheets in the Google spreadsheet – one for libraries needing assistance, and one for companies/organizations and others offering assistance. Our hope is that this simple information sharing system will help connect those offering assistance to libraries in need.
Please share this link with your colleagues: www.txla.org/library-recovery. The webpage has general information and links to the Google spreadsheet.
The outpouring of support from the library community in the wake of Hurricane Harvey is truly inspiring. Thank you!
Corpus Christi PL Opening Services to Non-Residents Displaced by Harvey
From CCPL
The Corpus Christi Public Libraries (CCPL) wish to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey, by waiving the non-resident semi-annual library card fee during the month of September as part of National Library Card Sign Up Month. Individuals will be able to obtain a library card with full privileges to all our materials in print, audiovisual and electronic formats for a period of six months as well as use our public access computers. A photo ID with an address in one of the areas affected will be requested, if unavailable other forms of ID will be accepted.
Round Rock Public Library Hosting Star Wars-Themed Fundraiser for Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts
From Round Rock Public Library Director Michelle Cervantes:
Star Wars-themed fundraiser for Hurricane Harvey recovery
Donate to the Red Cross, learn light saber stage fighting
August 30 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Come join the Lone Star Saber Academy at Round Rock Public Library for stage saber combat instruction to benefit relief efforts for people affected by Hurricane Harvey and the resulting floods.
In exchange for a donation to the American Red Cross, participants will enjoy a lesson on stage-fighting with sabers. No minimum donation has been set, but please give generously.
Sessions will be available from 6 – 8:30 p.m. in the Library’s Room A on Wednesday, Aug. 30. You may arrive at any time, enjoy watching other classes and chatting with other aspiring Jedi, win Star Wars raffle prizes, and help our neighbors in Harvey’s path.
Raffle prizes will be drawn at intervals throughout the event. Tickets are $5, and winners must be present to claim their prize.
This event is best enjoyed by kids, teens, and adults who can work in small groups and pay attention to an instructor without being distracted by a light saber in their hands. We recommend a minimum age of 5 years.
All money will be collected and organized by Friends of the Round Rock Public Library, a group of volunteers who work together to extend the Library’s impact in the community, then donated to the Red Cross disaster relief effort for the hurricane and flooding events associated with Hurricane Harvey.
The Lone Star Saber Academy is a local organization made up of volunteer Battle Saber Enthusiasts who use their passion for Star Wars and the saber to give back to and serve the community. Photos of the group’s saber combat instruction from the Library’s Star Wars Reads Day activity can be found in this photo album.
Please come support your fellow Texans.