Christina E. Taylor, MSIS

08/19/2026

Turning Library Leftovers into Meaningful Adult Programming

I’m excited to be presenting at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) with Elizabeth Mikeska-Benfield and Emily Hersh, M.S.!

In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore how to transform everyday library staples—paper scraps, tape, weeded books, and leftover art supplies—into creative, engaging programs designed specifically for adults.

Participants will rotate through several hands-on stations, repurposing ordinary office supplies and discarded materials into activities that prove you don’t need a large budget to create meaningful engagement. We’ll also look beyond the crafting to explore how low-barrier programs can help libraries build community connections and create welcoming opportunities for adults to participate.

You’ll leave with a toolkit of versatile program templates, plenty of inspiration, and the confidence to offer high-quality programming without a single purchase order.

So, if you’re attending ARSL 2026, be sure to download the conference app on Whova! Use the app to explore the conference schedule, discover sessions and speakers, connect with fellow attendees, and add our session to your personalized conference agenda.

I hope to see you there!

Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL)

08/14/2026

Join doctoral researchers Jordan D. Ross and Marquis Taylor as they uncover the histories of HBCU alumni, Black educators, and the enduring connections between Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Harvard University during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

08/14/2026

Apply today!

The Texas Library and Archives Foundation has today announced it is accepting applications for its annual Martha Wong and Gloria Meraz-Mark Smith Scholarships. Both scholarships will award a reimbursable grant of $5,000 that may be used for tuition or required textbooks.

Through these awards, the Foundation encourages Texans to pursue a career in the library field. The scholarships have been generously funded by Dr. Martha Wong, Chair of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Funds will be used for the January 2027 semester. Eligible applicants must live in Texas or work in a Texas library and are pursuing a degree from a Texas library/information science graduate program or school library certification program.

For full grant details and to apply online, visit the Foundation’s website at www.txlaf.org/scholarship. The deadline to apply is 12:00 midnight (central) on September. 15, 2026.

Applicants will be notified by November. 2.

08/14/2026

Check out these resources from the state library for public library directors!

Whether you're a new library director, a seasoned administrator, or somewhere in between, we have resources to support your work.

Our latest LIBRARY DEVELOPMENTS post highlights both new(ish) and trusted Library Management Services resources—from the “Policy Corner” blog series and “In the Spotlight” to the Small Library Management training program, New Director Orientation, and more.

If it's been a while since you've explored what we offer, now's a great time to take another look. Discover tools, training, and practical guidance designed to help your library thrive.

https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ld/librarydevelopments/2026/08/14/hidden-gems-and-helpful-standards/

08/14/2026

Thursday | Black Library History

On May 25, 1926, the New York Public Library announced its acquisition of more than 4,000 rare books, manuscripts, and artifacts from Afro-Latino scholar and collector Arturo Schomburg. This landmark collection helped establish the 135th Street Branch in Harlem—now the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture—as a global cornerstone for Black history, literature, and culture. Schomburg’s vision, alongside the work of pioneering Black librarians, helped ensure that generations could discover, study, and celebrate the stories and achievements of Black people across the diaspora.

Today, we celebrate the power of collecting, preserving, and making Black history accessible to all.



Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library

08/13/2026

See you there!

August Meeting | The World Is My Library

We’re back! After a summer of exploration and making memories, BCRT is excited to welcome members back for our first bi-monthly meeting where we’ll delve into what happens when travel, storytelling, curiosity, and librarianship come together.

Join BCRT for an inspiring conversation with Yasmeen Youngblood, our August meeting guest speaker! Yasmeen will present “The World Is My Library: Using Travel, Story, and Curiosity to Inspire the Next Generation,” exploring her nonprofit travel endeavors and the ways those experiences intersect with librarianship and learning.

Come ready to be inspired, broaden your perspective, and consider how we can help the communities we serve see the world as their library.

📅 Thursday, August 20, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM
🎤 Guest Speaker: Yasmeen Youngblood
🔗 The meeting link will be shared through the BCRT TLA Engage community.
Attendees will also be eligible to receive continuing education (CE) credit for participating.

We’re excited to reconnect after the summer break and hope to see you there!



Texas Library Association
The Trekking Teacher

08/13/2026

08/10/2026

🎉 Congratulations to the TALL Texans Leadership Class of 2026!

This outstanding group of library professionals will participate in an immersive program this November, where they'll explore leadership principles, build meaningful connections, and strengthen the skills needed to make an even greater impact in libraries and communities across Texas.

Join us in celebrating this year's class and learn more about the program: https://txla.org/news/tall-texans-class-of-2026-announced/

08/10/2026

Your local library community starts here at TLA Fall District Meetings. TLA Fall District Meetings bring together library professionals from across your region for a day of shared ideas, practical solutions, and conversations that strengthen libraries.

Your next library programming idea, cross-library collaboration, or professional connection could be waiting at your local TLA Fall District Meeting.

TLA Fall District Meetings are your regional opportunity to:
• Hear from speakers and library leaders on topics shaping our profession.
• Connect with library professionals across your region.
• Learn from neighboring libraries and discover what’s happening beyond your own.
• Be part of a community that reminds you that you’re not doing this work alone.

Find the Fall District Meeting nearest you and register today to connect close to your area. https://ow.ly/Q29F50ZxM5G