CTLS News

Executive Director – Recruitment Announcement

June 15, 2020 Paul Waak

CTLS, Inc. is seeking a passionate, articulate, inclusive, respectful, and experienced nonprofit leader. This person must have a demonstrated range of library expertise, communication, fundraising, and management skills necessary to strengthen the organization’s capacity and advance its mission to provide a lifeline to libraries of all sizes across Texas. A strong commitment to ...

Engaging Library Users Through the Web

June 8, 2020 Paul Waak

The past few months have pushed both libraries and library users to try out web based library services. The basic techniques have been around for a long time, but the addition of video makes it worth while to review what we have learned so far. Video has made it easier to remotely engage ...

Library Services During the Pandemic

May 8, 2020 Paul Waak

Please join our discussion!

These 1.5 hour sessions are opportunities for library directors to exchange ideas about public library services during the pandemic. Please note that these conversations are specific to public libraries.

Cost: Free

Everyone who attends will receive a recording of the meeting along with a copy of the chat log. This way everyone gets a copy of any links that are shared.

SRP During the Pandemic Online Discussion

April 20, 2020 Paul Waak

Please join us for a workshop/discussion of Summer Reading Program ideas!

This 1.5 hour session will allow librarians an opportunity to exchange ideas about how to provide summer reading during the pandemic. These web discussions are based on the discussion coordinated last week by Carmen Lazo of Pflugerville. After the last session we will compile everyone's ideas and share them with all attendees from all the sessions.

Library Service During a Crisis

April 3, 2020 Paul Waak

The State of the Crisis

On 31 March 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order implementing Essential Services and Activities Protocols for the entire state of Texas (https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-issues-executive-order-implements-statewide-essential-services-and-activities-protocols). These orders specifically call on the Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce, a memorandum from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a part of U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce) All of the following advice should be taken in the context of section Considerations For Government And Business with particular attention to items

Rescheduled! Adult Programming Workshops

March 30, 2020 Paul Waak

We have rescheduled our workshops to August. Please join us for a workshop/discussion of Adult Programming ideas!

This 3-hour session allows library staff an opportunity to show what they do and for those who are just starting to do adult programs a chance to ask questions & share ideas.

Dr. Larry Koeninger

March 4, 2020 Laurie Mahaffey

The Central Texas Library System has lost a vital Board member, Dr. Larry Koeninger of College Station. Larry served on our board for several years and retired at the end of December from the directorship of the Bryan+College Station Library System. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Mary Koeninger.

Adult Programming Workshops

February 24, 2020 Paul Waak

Please join us for a workshop/discussion of Adult Programming ideas!

This 3-hour session allows library staff an opportunity to show what they do and for those who are just starting to do adult programs a chance to ask questions & share ideas.

CTLS Board Retreat

February 7, 2020 Laurie Mahaffey

The Board of the Central Texas Library System met on January 30 & 31 at the New Braunfels Public Library with Mary Beth Harrington facilitating. Many items were discussed and board members worked hard to plan the years ahead. Thanks to all who participated and to ...

SRP Workshops

January 8, 2020 Paul Waak

Imagine Your Story:
Programming Ideas for Your Summer Reading Program

Enter the magical world of story with presenter and performer Kim Lehman. You will learn a variety of ways to incorporate stories, literature, songs, art, and science in library programs for all ages. The primarily focus will be on early literacy and elementary program ideas from the CSLP Manual along with many extra programming ideas and tips with some time devoted to teens. The afternoon will feature a youth share. Bring your favorite books, songs, activities, and programming ideas to share.

3D Printing Facial Masks

March 30, 2020

While Wilson County Libraries are closed to the public, they are making medical mask frames to help with the shortage of N-95 masks. Computer lab manager, Lesa McCall, heard about a neurosurgeon and dentist team in Billings, Montana who coded 3D printed facial masks that could extend the local clinic’s resources. It ...

Reading Therapy Dogs at Goldthwaite

March 5, 2020

The Jennie Trent Dew Library in Goldthwaite started their Reading Therapy Dog program with the help of 2 local dogs. See the photos for a glimpse of how well loved these dogs are. Congratulations to the children of Goldthwaite and the library staff for getting this going in their community!

Book Offer from Burnet County Historical Commission

February 13, 2020

Burnet County History book sets are now offered to Texas libraries at half price ($60, down from $120) to help libraries expand their genealogy and history collections.

January 21, 2020

On Saturday, January 4, over 300 people showed up to celebrate the grand reopening of the William R. “Bill” Ellis Memorial Library in Port Aransas.

June 14, 2019

Beginning in 2009 with a Texas Reads Grant, West teens plan, prepare, and present story time for local children at West Public Library each summer. Two dogs from Angel Paws in Waco visited the June 12th event. Over seventy teens have volunteered in the library’s Tale Tellers program since its 2009 ...

Lampasas Receives 2019 Branding Iron Award

June 12, 2019

Dana Braccia, left, of the Texas Library Association presents a 2019 Branding Iron Award to the Lampasas Public Library – represented by Director Shanda Subia, center, and Assistant Librarian Emily Stone.
Photo credit: David Lowe, Lampasas Dispatch Record, issue May 31, p. 5

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the new Schulenburg library!

June 3, 2019

Great day! Lots of kids & families celebrated Schulenburg Public Library’s 10th anniversary on Saturday, June 1. A fire truck, police car, EMS ambulance, and helicopter livened things up.

Staff members Cindy (left) and Donna (right) with CTLS executive director Laurie Mahaffey and former CTLS ...
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Elaine Allums Recognition Reception

April 3, 2019

The Friends of the Kountze Public Library hosted a Recognition Reception in honor of Elaine Allums at the library on February 25, 2019. Allums served as Building Committee Chairperson in 1999 and spearheaded plans for the construction of a new library. The facility was completed in 2002. Allums has performed as a loyal ...

April 3, 2019

More than “just” a library, El Progreso Memorial Library is a civic and cultural center serving Uvalde and the surrounding area. It was formed in 1903 by a visionary group of women for self improvement, civic improvement and the establishment of a public library. This club meets monthly and continues – after ...
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International Polar Bear Day In Lampasas

March 5, 2019

From Shanda Subia, Lampasas Public Library.

Our program was on Monday, February 25 . We could see the polar bear, Cranberry (she was born around Thanksgiving), in the background, and then Shannon talked about what characteristics polar bears have that allow them to live in the Arctic climate, and she would ask ...
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