In this article, Summer Creek High School (Harris County, Texas) librarian, Louise Lankau shares a formula for successfully integrating technology via the school library and reaching every department and teacher in a school of 2,500 students and 170 teachers. The challenge is that the teaching staff at Summer Creek increases each year to…

This guide is based on findings of a year-long study undertaken by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to evaluate Institute-sponsored programs for youth aged 9-19 between 1998 and 2003, and discussion with the IMLS Youth Action Committee and practitioners about the kind of information needed for planning and implementing effective…

Throughout the history of public libraries in the United States, great accomplishments have been achieved through the active participation of local community members. This handbook from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission is addressed to those citizens who attain appointments to their city or county library advisory boards. Its…

This publication provides standards and guidelines addressing a variety of issues in the area of library automation in Texas. In addition to the core elements of a library automated system (public access catalog, cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, and serials), remote access, imaging, and full-text document management are included. This…

The purpose of this manual is to orient new system staff and advisory council members of the library systems in Texas to their roles and responsibilities. It contains information on the history, governance, funding, services, and administration of the systems. Chapter one, "The Role of Systems in Public Library Development in Texas,"…

This publication provides a compilation of Texas statutes relating to libraries and topics of interest to librarians through the 74th Legislature, 1995. In addition to laws in which the words "library,""books,""Texas State Library,""Library and Archives Commission," and "director and librarian"…

This booklet provides background information about the Texas library system for both new and experienced system advisory council members and lay representatives. It is noted that most of the material included was previously distributed at the 1980 System Advisory Council Conference. Five sections are presented: (1) "The Public Library and the…

This manual provides information to help libraries in Texas considering an automation project, with special emphasis on smaller libraries. The solutions discussed are microcomputer-based. The manual begins with a discussion of how to prepare for the automation of a library, including planning, approval, collection decisions, policy, and staffing.…

The materials in this manual are intended to provide the introductory information needed by new system advisory council members and staff of the Texas State Library on the history, role, governance, funding, services, and administration of library systems. Included in the handbook are discussions of: (1) the role of systems in public library…

The mission of today's school library media center is to help prepare students to enter the information age of the 21st century. To carry out this mission, library media specialists, administrators, and teachers must ensure that students can effectively locate, access, interpret, evaluate, and communicate information. The school library media…

This manual provides a conceptual framework and reference source concerning the reporting, financial contractual, and auditing requirements for recipients of Texas State Library grants funded with state and federal funds under the Library Systems Act (LSA) and the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). The handbook is divided into 12…

This manual is intended to help people working in local libraries collect and report statistics about what they do and complete the Texas State Library annual report form. Texas uses the annual reports to determine whether local libraries are eligible for membership in the Texas library system. Definitions and explanations are given for…

Libraries offer a variety of services and play an assortment of roles. While few people disagree that libraries have been valuable institutions in the past, many wonder how necessary they will be in the future. Shrinking budgets make it harder for libraries to contradict these perceptions. This report examines the social and economic impact that…

Intended as an orientation guide, this manual presents information on library network operations for use by staff and advisory council members of the Texas Library System. The first chapter describes the role of systems in public library development in Texas, with a delineation of the history of Texas library systems, a chronology of related…

This manual for public library board members in Texas was written to help new board members learn how to delineate their powers and responsibilities and to contribute to the training of all board members. Information on issues concerning public libraries is provided, and fundamental issues involved in setting library policy and priorities are…