CET Writes

Originally published September 09, 2025 Library Developments Blog   |   Library Development and Networking Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission As we turn our attention to National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) compliance, consider the following scenario in which a well-intentioned effort to help patrons engage civically revealed how the absence of an implementation plan can lead to inconsistent practices, legal risk, and unintended harm to public trust. The Gotham Public Library—a fictional, small, rural library in Texas—hosted a well-attended community resource fair in partnership with the Madame Selina Kyle Foundation and Gotham City Hall. As part of the event, library staff helped visitors apply for library cards, sign up for public computers, and learn about available social services. With the much anticipated mayoral race between Oswald Cobblepot and Bella Reál coming up, the table that included information about voting was doing brisk business in s...

Originally published December  17 , 2025 Library Developments Blog   |   Library Development and Networking Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission As we shift our attention to information security and privacy policies, consider the following scenario where a well-intentioned community event exposed how easily gaps in data-handling practices can put patrons at risk. The Gotham Public Library—a fictional, small, rural library in Texas—partnered yet again with the Madame Selina Kyle Foundation; this time to host a free digital literacy workshop and asked participants to provide their name, home address, phone number, email address, and library card number using a shared Google Form created by a volunteer. In the days following the event, several attendees began receiving unsolicited emails from LexCorp and phone calls promoting Harvey Dent’s election campaign. One patron filed a complaint, stating the only place they had shared that information was with t...

Originally published December 10 , 2025 Library Developments Blog   |   Library Development and Networking Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission As we turn an eye to technology use policies, let us return to the land of imagination and visit the Gotham Public Library, a small rural Texas library that recently upgraded its computer area with new public workstations, expanded Wi-Fi access, and a makerspace laptop cart funded through a community grant from the Madame Selina Kyle Foundation. Because the library had never adopted a formal technology use policy, Director Barbara Gordon, staffer Richard Grayson, and the library’s volunteers relied on informal practices and individual judgment to guide patron behavior. One afternoon, a patron began streaming loud video tutorials for making Smylex on a public computer and refused to use headphones, insisting there was no rule against it; later, another patron downloaded unlicensed batarang-making software onto a mak...

  Originally published September 09 , 2025 Library Developments Blog   |   Library Development and Networking Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission Imagine that the Gotham Public Library, a small rural library in Texas, has recently received a request for help from its group of local homeschool families—the Arkham Angels—that is looking for appropriate young adult graphic novels for this year’s book club. In the past, the library had a brief, outdated collection development policy that didn’t explicitly outline how materials were selected. So, the staff often relied on ad hoc decisions which risked appearing inconsistent or even biased. But, Director Gordon recognizes that a collection development policy is more than just a set of rules about what books, media, and digital resources the library purchases. It’s a practical expression of the library’s mission that shows how the library’s values and goals are translated into day-to-day decisions about wha...

Originally published August 25 , 2025 Library Developments Blog   |   Library Development and Networking Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission What started out as a sizeable donation of custom-built video games from the county’s STEM club was quickly joined by the late Mr. Nguyen’s golden age Superman comics and his daughter's childhood collection of rare Shojo manga—only to then be expanded by Ms. Gordon’s crafting overstock that was curated by the library’s teen advisory board with an eye toward establishing a cosplay makerspace. And now, having grown into something you’ve dubbed “The Fandom Zone,” these items have definitely imprisoned the community’s interest. After reading your thank you posts on social media, the local historical customers have begun reserving the meeting room nearest the collection where they can surreptitiously observe each new arrival as they plan their next event. And now that school has begun, Miss Harvey’s third grade class—who ...

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 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...