So Many Advocacy Ideas at TLA – Make Your Membership Work for You!




By Susi Grissom          
School librarians looking for new advocacy strategies will find a number of sessions on this topic at the TLA annual conference next week in Austin.  A quick look at the exciting conference schedule reveals sessions to help you SYNC UP as an advocate and communicator with your stakeholders, the legislature, your school board, and your community.  Take a look at the possibilities below and add them to your schedule with the TLA 2015, the TLA Conference Mobile app.  You’ll return to your school with new ideas to use to tell your school library story.
Did we miss a session that you think has advocacy appeal?  Add that session’s information in the comments section below.  If you’re not going to the annual conference this year, you can access handouts for these advocacy sessions on the conference app, either via a mobile device or the web version.  You have to be a conference attendee or a TLA member to gain access to the app - make the most of your membership!   Advocacy is an on-going process, and these sessions can help you grow as a library leader who communicates well about the importance of school libraries to learning.   Note: ticketed sessions are not included in the list, since the registration deadline for these programs is now closed.
Wednesday, April 15 
1:00-1:50 pm
TexShare Database Update TexShare staff provides an annual review of program resources and content updates. Promotional tools and training to maximize TexShare use at your library will be included. Jay Velgos and Russlene Waukechon, Library Development and Networking Division, Texas State Library & Archives Commission 
2-2:50 pm
The 84th Legislative Session Update
TLA’s advocacy team examines what’s at stake for Texas libraries in the 2015 legislative session. Find out about bills, funding proposals, and how to support library policies important to you and the people you serve. Be “in the know” when you get back to your library. Jennifer LaBoon, Library Media Services, Fort Worth ISD; Gloria Meraz, Texas Library Association; and Rebecca Sullivan, Riter C. Hulsey Public Library 
2-3:50pm
Effective Presentation Skills for All
Whether you teach research skills to college students, interview with the media, lead storytime, or defend the library’s budget before a governing board, we all improve our success with effective presentation skills! Learn to analyze your audience, organize your presentation, and engage your audience. Dora Elia Saavedra, Communication Studies, University of Texas-Pan American.  
2-3:50 pm
Tech Your Story: Design Your Online Library Presence 
Use your storytelling skills to design an online presence that tells your library’s story through Web albums, video, blog platforms, and social media. Engage users in the story of your school and its library programs and events. Nancy L. Lambert, McSpedden Elementary, Frisco ISD; and Tim Tingle, author and storyteller 
2:30-2:50 pm
Update on School Library Standards Revisions 
The State Library and Archives Commission is revising School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas, a tool for assessing, supporting, and promoting school libraries. Learn about the goals of the revision process, regulatory procedures involved, working groups undertaking this effort, and opportunities to provide input.  
4:00-4:50 pm
‘The Choice’: Push the Right Button for TexQuest Collaboration in Elementary Schools
Have fun with the TexQuest team as they “audition” ideas for promoting online resources before a panel of elementary school “judges.” Will innovative approaches make them “turn their chairs?” Take away imaginative marketing ideas for engaging teachers on your campus. Len Bryan, Library Development and Networking Division, Texas State Library & Archives Commission; Lorraine Mettham, Library Services, Amarillo ISD; Melissa Rippy, Library & Instruction Materials, Pasadena ISD; Martha Rossi and Ann Vyoral, ESC, Region 20. 
Thursday, April 16 10-10:20 am
Digital Advocacy Storytelling to Promote Library Values (CONTRIBUTED PAPERS SESSION IIA) Judi Moreillon, Texas Woman’s University. 
10-11:20 am
Marketing 101 for Libraries 
Three marketers offer strategies for promoting services, including special events such as book festivals. Use technology, savvy, and smarts to implement enticing programs in your own shop.
Sandra Fernandez, Lopez Negrete Communications; Kanya Lyons, Faulk Central Library, Austin Public Library; and Brenda
Thompson, Brenda Thompson Communications 
11-11:20 am
Collaborating with Your Community to Promote Literacy
Discover how librarians and literacy advocates joined forces to expand services and increase outreach. The speakers describe their efforts to establish partnerships and implement book distributions, family literacy nights, book festivals, and other special events. Ida Acuna-Garza, South Texas Literacy Coalition; Cristina Espinoza, LBJ Middle School, and Nora Alicia Galvan, Central Office, San Juan-Alamo ISD; and Maria Elena Ovalle, consultant. 
1-1:50 pm
From Embedded Librarian to Librarian as Leader
Why wait behind our desks for questions? It’s time for librarians to step up our game, step out of our libraries, and demonstrate our value to the larger community. James LaRue, LaRue & Associates 
2-2:50pm
TexQuest Update
TexQuest is up and running! This update of the TSLAC’s K-12 resources program for Texas public schools and open enrollment charter schools reviews training opportunities, best practices, and lesson planning resources. Find out about the program’s progress, what’s next, and successes campuses are reporting. Len Bryan, Library Development and Networking Division, Texas State Library & Archives Commission 
Friday, April 17 
9-9:50 am
‘The Choice’: Push the Button for TexQuest Collaboration in Secondary Schools
Have fun with the TexQuest team as they “audition” ideas for promoting online resources before a panel of secondary school “judges.” Will innovative approaches make them “turn their chairs?” Take away imaginative marketing ideas for engaging teachers on your campus. Len Bryan, Library Development and Networking Division, Texas State Library & Archives Commission; Lorraine Mettham, Library Services, Amarillo ISD; Melissa Rippy, Libraries and Instruction Materials, Pasadena ISD; Martha Rossi and Ann Vyoral, ESC, Region 20
 




 

 

 

 

 

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