In this episode, guest host Christina Taylor sits down with Kelly Hoppe and Chelsea Kuehler from the Cornette Library at West Texas A&M University to discuss the power of K–16 partnerships. They explore how these collaborations ease the transition from high school to college by introducing students to academic expectations early on. The conversation also highlights the professional rewards for librarians, including expanded networking and stronger collaboration. Featured programs like the Li...
Jun 25, 2025•22 min•Season 7Ep. 6
In this episode, guest host Carolyn Slavin, bilingual librarian at Reed Elementary in Leander ISD, talks with Carmen Lazo, Children’s Community Programs Administrator at the Pflugerville Public Library, about the vital role libraries play in supporting bilingual communities. Drawing from their experiences in both school and public library settings, Carolyn and Carmen discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of serving Spanish-speaking patrons. They share creative program ideas, trusted re...
May 20, 2025•30 min
In this episode, guest host Shirley Robinson, executive director of the Texas Library Association (TLA), chats with Valerie Prilop, senior librarian at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and current TLA president. Together, they kick off a new leadership year by discussing opportunities for member involvement and what’s ahead for 2025–2026. Valerie reflects on her personal journey within TLA—from joining round tables to stepping into leadership—and shares how those experiences sha...
Apr 24, 2025•24 min•Season 7Ep. 4
In this episode, guest host Christina Taylor sits down with TLA President Elizabeth Howard and conference planning co-chairs Zinnia Bayardo and Erica Richardson to help attendees maximize their Texas Library Association (TLA) Annual Conference experience. They offer networking tips, scheduling strategies, and key insights for first-time attendees, as well as specialized sessions for small and rural libraries like community roundtables and journey maps. Plus, they highlight the value of after-hou...
Mar 26, 2025•15 min•Season 7Ep. 3
In this episode, Regina Reed, director of the Leon Valley Public Library, chats with Angelina Corona, a library clerk whose journey into librarianship took an unexpected turn. Angelina shares how she joined the library in 2020, navigated challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and found her passion for programming and community engagement. She reflects on how leadership opportunities, like the Texas Stars Leadership course and the TLA conference, helped her grow in confidence and expertise. Tun...
Feb 26, 2025•27 min•Season 7Ep. 2
In this episode, Regina Reed, director of the Leon Valley Public Library, sits down with Shannon Trevino, a licensed professional counselor associate, to explore strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout. They discuss the key differences between stress and burnout, their physical and emotional impacts, and practical techniques to address them. Shannon shares valuable tips, including the importance of quality sleep, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, goal-setting, and mindfulness p...
Jan 29, 2025•16 min•Season 7Ep. 1
In this episode, Wendy Woodland, director of advocacy and communications at the Texas Library Association, chats with Gloria Meraz, state librarian and director of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. They dive into the proposed accreditation rules for public libraries, highlighting major changes such as updated local expenditure requirements and clarified accreditation processes, while emphasizing the importance of stakeholder feedback. The discussion also explores TSLAC's 2025-2029...
Dec 19, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 12
In this episode, Valerie Prilop, senior librarian at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and president-elect of the Texas Library Association, sits down with Katie Prentice, executive director of the Texas Medical Center Library, to discuss the dynamic field of medical librarianship. Katie shares insights into the unique challenges and rewards of the profession, from staying up-to-date with ever-evolving resources and technologies to fostering strong communication and active listen...
Nov 26, 2024•27 min•Season 6Ep. 11
Join Dianna Landes, director at Lakehills Area Library, as she chats with Johnny Compton, author of The Spite House and Devils Kill Devils , about the world of horror literature. Compton reflects on his early influences, such as Stephen King's Night Shift and Daniel Cohen's Shutters , which shaped his love for the genre. He highlights the pivotal role that libraries and librarians played in fostering his writing career, emphasizing how essential they are in nurturing both readers and aspiring wr...
Oct 24, 2024•24 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Join Warren Davis, community engagement and outreach coordinator at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, as he chats with Bertha Gomez, adult services librarian in the Brownsville Public Library system, to explore how libraries can promote digital literacy. They discuss Bertha's journey from a geography major to a digital navigator, the importance of addressing the digital divide, and the challenges and successes of teaching computer skills to adults. Bertha shares her teaching philo...
Sep 26, 2024•20 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Join Katherine Counterman, a school librarian from the Houston area, as she talks with Anna Skalka, former president of the Fielder Elementary PTA in Katy, Texas, about building a strong collaboration between the PTA and the school library. They explore the key role of a library liaison and discuss how a successful partnership can promote consistency, boost community involvement, and cultivate a lifelong love of reading and learning. Libraries Transform Texas is produced by Association Briefings...
Aug 22, 2024•29 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Join Jean Darnell, a librarian at Dessau Middle School in Pflugerville ISD, as she chats with Da'Taeveyon Daniels, partnership director at Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, about student advocacy and activism. Da'Taeveyon shares how the lack of representation in his high school library inspired his activism. He discusses the significance of representation, his involvement with the National Coalition Against Censorship, and his work with SEAT. The conversation also explores how his heritage, p...
Jul 25, 2024•23 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Join Kendra Harrell, library director at the Atlanta, Texas, Public Library, as she chats with Maggie Dumont, librarian at Brown Crossing Library in Boise, Idaho, about the flavorful world of spice kits and spice programming. They share ideas on creating spice kits, selecting the best spices, and offering innovative food programs in libraries. Tune in for a tasty discussion on how to add some zest to your library's offerings!
Jun 26, 2024•34 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Join former Texas Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Chair Christina Taylor in conversation with Moni Barrette from the American Library Association’s Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table. Discover creative ways for library workers to integrate comics and graphic novels into their programs and teaching. From interactive workshops to engaging activities, this episode explores strategies beyond traditional collection development and passive programming. Tune in for fresh insights into leveraging...
May 21, 2024•19 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Join host Jeannette Davies from the San Antonio Public Library as she engages in a candid conversation with John Trischitti, executive director of the Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin, delving into the landscape of literacy in Texas. Exploring the hurdles in addressing this issue, they dissect Trischitti's TED Talk on librarians and literacy, emphasize the value of forging partnerships, debunk misconceptions surrounding non-literate individuals, and propose strategies for fostering inclus...
Apr 25, 2024•23 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Step into the world of literature with host Beatrice Saba, Library Director of the Bryan College Station Public Library System, as she engages in a captivating conversation with New York Times bestselling author Tomi Adeyemi. Known for her acclaimed novel "Children of Blood and Bone," the first installment in the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, Adeyemi shares insights into her sources of inspiration and her meticulous historical research process, intertwining her narratives with the past. Explore the ...
Mar 21, 2024•29 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Join host Michele Santos in a conversation with Marianne DeLeon, the newly appointed CEO of the Texas Book Festival. Delve into Marianne's motivations for taking on this exciting role, exploring what drew her to this opportunity and what she anticipates most in her new position. The discussion unfolds to encompass Marianne's vision for fundraising, the pivotal role of libraries in communities, and reflections on the Texas Book Festival's notable achievements to date. Together, they candidly addr...
Feb 15, 2024•20 min•Season 6Ep. 2
In our season 6 premier, host Michele Santos talks to Howard Marks and Angela Gaule of the Ector County Library in Odessa about the Gale Excel Adult High School Program at their library. The program gives people aged 21 and over the ability to earn their high school diploma online. The three discuss how to start the program at your public library, challenges, and success stories.
Jan 18, 2024•20 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In this short-but-sweet episode (less than 10 minutes) Emily Warwas of the Cedar Park Public Library talks with Caleb Kraft, Senior Editor of Make: Magazine, about craft and science projects at the library.
Dec 13, 2023•7 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Elsie Purcell, Library Director of Hondo Public Library, shares the joys and challenges of rural librarianship in Hondo, population 8400.
Nov 15, 2023•21 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Cynthia Rodriguez, Director of Library Services at Laredo College Libraries, and chair-elect of the Texas Council of Academic Libraries, is our guest for this episode. She shares all the reasons we're excited for the upcoming TCAL annual conference, Sept 18-19 in College Station, from networking with other academic library leaders to the keynote address from Dr. Michelle Cantu-Wilson.
Oct 20, 2023•16 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this special "Banned Books Week" episode, Jeannette Davies of the San Antonio Public Library interviews Leila Green Little and Diane Moster, two of the plaintiffs in the Little vs. Llano County civil lawsuit. Little and Moster are two of the seven plaintiffs in the lawsuit; all seven received the Sam G. Whitten Intellectual Freedom Award from the Texas Library Association for their outstanding work for intellectual freedom.
Oct 02, 2023•25 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Jessica Silva, Faculty Librarian at Austin Community College, interviews #FReadom Fighters Becky Calzada and Carolyn Foote about founding this grassroots movement for intellectual freedom. Calzada and Foote talk about how the #FReadom movement started, who inspires them and how they gained experience as advocates.
Oct 02, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Last year, Danielle Brigati, Library Director of the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library in Kerrville, found herself at the center of a controversy after the public library's Banned Books Week display was challenged by community members. In this episode, Dianna Landes, Director of the Lakehills Area Library, interviews Danielle about what happened, how the library stood up for the right to read, and her advice on making sure your public library has a strong collection development policy.
Sep 13, 2023•18 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Christy Reynolds, TLA's Membership Engagement Manager, gives us the scoop on the new Members-Only area and how best to use our online community, TLA Engage.
Jul 26, 2023•12 min•Season 4Ep. 10
TLA Education and Programs Manager Kelly Mantay shares keys to success when submitting a proposal for TLA 2024, the Texas Library Association's annual conference that will be held next spring in San Antonio. From mistakes to avoid to what kind of sessions librarians are looking for, you can learn it in this short podcast!
Jun 14, 2023•12 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Whether you are middle grade or middle-aged, this episode has a book recommendation for you! Join us for a laugh and a chat with Austin area humor writer Wendi Aarons. In the last year she has written two books with funny leads. The first is, "Ginger Mancino, Kid Comedian," about a funny adolescent girl that is trying to find a new voice in her stand-up comedian career, all while she navigates the sometimes funny, sometimes not, world of middle-school friendships. The second, humorous memoir "I'...
Jun 13, 2023•23 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Passive programming ideas are something every librarian needs. Passive programming encompasses a variety of types of programs that allow students to participate on their own, at any time. It might mean an array of board games or giant Jenga or checkers at the library, or make and take kits students can bring home. In this episode, Katherine Counterman, an elementary school librarian in Katy ISD and a member of TLA’s PR and Marketing Committee, interviews Melinda Lanham, lead librarian of Belton ...
May 24, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Today’s episode focuses on two innovative ways to do Story Walks. A Story Walk is a fun activity where pages from a children's book are printed and placed in displays along a walkable path at a park, school, or neighborhood. In today’s episode, Katherine Counterman of TLA’s PR and Marketing Committee, interviews Haley Nye Phillips, outreach librarian at Denton Public Library and Megan Farve, Outreach Librarian at McKinney Public Library. Haley discusses the Story Walk program she brought to Dent...
May 24, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Dianna Landes, Director of the Lakehills Area Library, is our guest host for this podcast. She interviews Cindy Fisher, Senior Program Coordinator, Texas Broadband Development Office, and the former Digital Inclusion Coordinator of TSLAC. They talk about the Texas Digital Navigators grant program, run through TSLAC, which awarded grants to help libraries close the digital divide in their area in a measurable way. Digital Navigators are individuals who address the whole digital inclusion process ...
May 09, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 5
