Lead to Succeed: TLA Conference in Houston is HERE! (almost...)

by Dorcas Hand

There’s nothing wrong with an occasional bit of shameless self-promotion – especially when every reader of this blog will wish they could attend. TLA conference April 19-22 is themed Open Libraries, Open Opportunities. What better information to take home to your school library campus than ways to strengthen your advocacy skills and program with Hilda Weisburg’s Lead to Succeed?

Hilda has been writing books about advocacy and strong school libraries for a very long time- you may even have subscribed to the magazine she started with Ruth Toor: School Librarian’s Workshop. She still writes a weekly blog by the same title. She’s coming all the way from New Jersey to share with us her practical insights into how we are leaders even when we don’t know it, and how to make our choices most effective.

Our own TLA ProCo (Program Committee) had the brainstorm to combine Hilda’s insights on leadership with concrete tools pulled together by TASL Legislative and Advocacy Committee Chairs Susi Grissom and Dorcas Hand. This 2 hour session is power packed, and includes interactive moments to discuss how best to incorporate new elements in your daily work. Also, the PowerPoint will be available after conference for links to important resources from TASL and other places. The Today’sMeet back channel will also be available for several months so that attendees and others can see what other participants thought. We are our community’s greatest strength; sharing our insights across the community will help school libraries across Texas and beyond be the most vibrant possible supports for student achievement – and will set us up for better success in ESSA implementation.

The program lists the official title Open School Libraries: Develop Your Leadership and Advocacy Abilities – but we have re-titled it “Lead to Succeed”. We hope you will join Hilda, Dorcas and Susi on Thursday, April 21 at 2-3:50. Check your program for the room number. Discover all the advocacy tools made available to you through TASL and AASL among other sources. Don’t miss it! Enjoy the Bluebonnet Luncheon and then head right over to be energized to finish the school year with enthusiasm, laying groundwork for next year at the same time. Every school librarian at conference will want to attend Lead to Succeed.

Stay tuned to this blog over the coming months for posts about many sessions at conference – the professional gift that keeps on giving.

PS: Check here for all the info about conference. I’m just making it easy for you to see what you need. There’s also the app.

PPS: Wednesday, 11-11:50, YART offers 10 Ways to Transform your School Library. Presenters Charla Hollingsworth (Alief ISD) and Lisa Stultz (Spring Branch ISD).

PPPS: Friday, 10-10:50, TASL also offers Resource Redefined: School Libraries as Learning Spaces. Presenters Stacy Cameron and Nancy Jo Lambert of Frisco ISD.