Children of color make up about 40% of the population, yet recent statistics show that the number of children’s books featuring people of color has hovered around 10% for the past several years. Other types of diversity—including ability, socioeconomic status and LGBT people and families—are also sorely lacking. Children should be able to see themselves reflected in the world around …
Libraries in America defend the constitutional rights of all individuals and are cornerstones of the communities they serve. We celebrate and preserve our democratic society so that all individuals have the opportunity to become life-long learners and engaged residents - informed, literate, educated and culturally enriched.
American Libraries Magazine, Mar/Apr 2021
Meridian Public Library gets a big thumbs-up for their new book drop.
A Tocker Foundation grant in 2020 provided new books, a security system and a new outdoor drop box for book returns. Library staff members were thrilled by patron response to all three, but they were unprepared for the excitement generated by this upgraded book drop. Nearly 1,000 people checked it out on their Facebook page. If you ‘judge a book …
TSLAC helps small libraries provide E-books to patrons.
Small, public libraries* with little or no e-book content recently got a boost when TSLAC began purchasing digital books for libraries to lend through SimplyE, an e-book app. Over 6,000 titles and growing in this collection that includes popular adult fiction and non-fiction, selections from various university presses and TIME for Kids. A focus on ease of use means readers …
Libraries don't have to be open to be essential.
Mark Smith, State Librarian, Texas State Library and Archives
Let’s talk about your next grant application.
We all know 2020 has been a year like no other. In fact, the Tocker Foundation had a record low number of grant requests in June. Shocking? Not really. The likely reason is that librarians were scrambling to adapt to the requirements of living in a pandemic and still provide needed services to their communities. They are thoughtful, civic leaders …
TSLAC creates map to help Texans locate free Wi-Fi
Texas State Library and Archives Commission takes the lead on helping Texans find free Wi-Fi. At the urging of Texas Legal Services Center/TexasLawHelp.com, and Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, TSLAC has launched a map of public Wi-Fi spots across the state. But the job is not yet complete. They need your help by adding more locations not currently included. If …
FaceTime helps Dublin Public Library keep distance and keep serving their community.
Resourceful librarians have adapted quickly to continue offering services to their communities during the pandemic. This important skill really kicked in for Adina Dunn of the Dublin Public Library. Even before forced closures, the library started offering curbside services in early March. To follow recommended guidelines, they first installed a Ring® doorbell to notify staff of a patron’s arrival, however …
Keach Family Library keeps patrons busy with 30 virtual services and programs.
The buildings may be closed to visitors but library staff all over the state are working hard to serve their patrons even in the most difficult of times. Keach Family Library in Robstown, part of Nueces County, amassed a list of 30 services and activities for patrons of all ages available during the pandemic . Here are the top ten: …
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