CET Writes

Originally published August 18 , 2025 Library Developments Blog   |   Library Development and Networking Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission   With Summer Library Program in the review mirror, you can practically hear the thrum of those yellow limousines, taste the cafeteria‘s food service delights, and smell the essential oils of fresh pencil shavings mingling with melted crayons. And now that it’s back to school season, learning and reflection are top of mind. As the young summer patrons leave your stacks and seats for their campus libraries, here's some arithmetic for YOU. From 561 invitations, 517 libraries completed the Texas Public Libraries Annual Report for local fiscal year 2024. Of those, 95% met the minimum standards for accreditation. They will be accredited for State fiscal year 2026, starting September 1. Originally designed specifically for directors of small public libraries-those serving a population of 25,000 or less, SLM offered...

  Originally published July 23, 2025 Library Developments Blog   |   Library Development and Networking Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission   Although none were born into leadership, it is a truth universally acknowledged that some achieve it and some have it thrust upon them. With apologies to both Shakespeare and Austen, the path to library leadership can be as varied as the individuals who travel it. Directors and head librarians come to this work by many life journeys, not all of which provide a background in librarianship. But, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s (TSLAC) Small Library Management Training Program can help. Since its inception, TSLAC has supported the development of libraries across the state—large and small. One of its most consequential initiatives, the Small Library Management Training Program (SLM), was created in 1994 to support library workers in small communities without formal training in library scienc...

  Originally published April 21, 2025 Library Developments Blog   |   Library Development and Networking Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission   The spirit of transformation was alive and well at the 2025 Texas Library Association’s Annual Conference, themed “ Library Renaissance: Our Quest for Renewal .” Against a backdrop of evolving community needs and rapid change, library professionals from all sectors came together to reimagine the role of libraries in a shifting world. This powerful theme set the tone for a conference filled with fresh ideas, bold conversations, and inspiring visions for the future. From innovative programming and service models to rethinking safety, communicating the library’s value, and the significance of our networks, attendees explored what it truly means to lead a library renaissance. Here’s a look back at the sessions and sparks of inspiration that made this gathering one to remember from the lens of library manageme...

  Originally published March 18, 2024 Texas Library Association Website Christina E. Taylor Library Management Consultant T exas State Library and Archives Commission 1. What inspired you to become a librarian? My mother was a public educator for nearly 40 years, and midway through her tenure, she was struggling with burnout. While I was preparing to follow in her footsteps, I had the privilege of watching her reinvent herself. She earned her MLS from Texas Women’s University, shifted the trajectory of her career toward school librarianship, and was able to reclaim the joy in being an educator that she’d lost along the way. She found a way to continue doing the work she loved, minimize what was wearing away at her, and maximize what fed her passion. Seeing that, I made a promise to myself to monitor my own burnout. And if there ever came a time when I needed an exit strategy, then I KNEW that I’d had at least one successful example modeled for me. Fifteen years later, I decided to ...

Originally published February 12, 2025 Library Developments Blog    Library Development and Networking Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission   As the new year has well and truly begun, many people reflect on the past, seeking to understand where they come from, who their ancestors were, and how their family's history shaped their present. One of the best ways to begin exploring their roots is to visit their local library. Frequently, small rural libraries serve as repositories of local history. But, what about if a patron’s family has moved throughout various regions of the state? For a more expansive approach, utilizing the rich genealogy resources available at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) can provide a bigger picture. Whether they’re a seasoned researcher or just beginning their journey into family history, TSLAC offers a variety of tools to help patrons uncover the stories of their ancestors. A Treasure Trove of Records Th...

  Originally published October 25, 2024 Library Developments Blog  |  Library Development and Networking Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission Waiting outside Gate 21 where the scent of pizza from the nearby Eastside Pies booth filled the air, I excitedly chatted about the transitional weather with my new teammate – to quote James Hurst “summer was dead but autumn had not yet been born” – the logistics of traveling for work, and our preparedness to attend the 2024 Association for Small and Rural Libraries (ARSL) conference . Neither of us truly knew what to expect, but we had been told that ARSL is THE conference for rural and small libraries, with conference organizers who not only understand the constraints of these libraries but also the unique opportunities for their being chrysalises of change. The conference theme “Libraries are (r)Evolutionary” proclaimed the event aimed to provide an opportunity for exploring the transformative power of rural and sm...

  Originally published October 7, 2024 Library Developments Blog  |  Library Development and Networking Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission The end of September heralded the final bow for my visits to small public libraries in Central Texas, tours of their spaces, and chats about how the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) can best support library leadership. For this last round, Library Digital Opportunity Program Coordinator Henry Stokes accompanied me to Schulenburg Public Library, Fayette Public Library, and Smithville Public Library. Schulenburg Public Library Surrounded by many open fields within Fayette County where you can easily spot cattle and wildflowers, the city of Schulenburg is the perfect stopping point during that Jumpin’ Jive from Houston to San Antonio on I-10 or whenever you travel State Highway 77. The city is not only known for its German culture, homemade kolaches, fresh pecans, and Shorthorns but is also home to a B...