Wow!

This week, I got to experience the Texas Library Association from yet another perspective, that of a vendor. So far I've gone to this conference as a presenter (twice), a conference attendee (also twice), and now as a vendor. I have enjoyed each experience in different ways. This year, I was not able to attend as many sessions as usual because of meetings and manning the booth on the exhibit floor. This was actually OK, because it allowed me to work on rolling out the K-12 database program for Texas, and to meet and begin interacting with many of the folks I'll be working closely with for the next several months to make this program successful! I also got to speak with hundreds of school librarians and hear their thoughts on the new program as well.

I'll have my work cut out for me next week as I dive headlong into the details of this project, but I am still as enthusiastic about it as I was when I started!

If you are interested in learning more, TSLAC has the FAQs posted here:
https://www.tsl.texas.gov/k12/e-resources

And Gale has an excellent support site all set up for Texas school librarians, with links to their products:
http://galesupport.com/texas/

More to come soon, including how to sign up with Region 20 Education Service Center!

TLA Next Week

I am excited to join my fellow school librarians at TLA next week! I was just checking out the Tech Camp information on the TASL page of the TLA site, and I am kicking myself for not signing up when I registered. Like many "techie" people, I sometimes feel as though there is not much for me to learn at tech camps; I stay abreast of innovations in educational technology, and I feel that I am pretty savvy. After reading the session descriptions, however, I am reminded that no one knows everything, and that participating in tech camps and technical sessions at TLA, SXSW, TCEA, and other conferences should be a priority if I am to keep up with everything that is going on.

Tech is not only about innovations and gadgets. At the end of the day, tech is about how people use those innovations and gadgets. That is where librarians of all types can swoop in and help!

See you @ TLA!

Settling In

I am finally starting to settle in as the new School Program Coordinator at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission!

My first major project, aside from getting ready for the Texas Library Association Conference next week, is rolling out the K-12 School Database Program! I am including the FAQs we published on the TSLAC Website as well as the link. Wish us luck!

https://www.tsl.texas.gov/k12/e-resources

State Funded Resources for Texas K12 Public Schools - Update and FAQ
March 2014 Update

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New digital resources coming soon!

The Legislature provided funds to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to re-establish statewide digital resources for K12 public school libraries. The bid process is complete and the digital resources selected will be announced in April. Schools will have access to new content starting in June 2014.

How can school districts participate?

School districts will receive forms starting in late April asking them to sign up for the program.

Is there a charge for these resources?

There is not a charge the first year of the program (June 2014-June 2015). The Legislature requires a participation fee from school districts starting in FY2015.

How much is the charge to school districts in FY2015?

The K12 school library program advisory group recommended $0.22 (22 cents) per pupil. This is a flat rate for each district which will be assessed based on the FY2014 data submitted to the Texas Education  Agency.

When will a school district receive an invoice for the FY2015 participation fee?

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission expects to invoice school districts starting in January 2015. The FY2015 contracts begin June15, 2015.

What if a school district does not pay the participation fee?

School districts that do not pay the participation fee starting in FY2015 will not have access to any of the online resources.

How does my district set up the Texas State Library and Archives Commission as a vendor in its system?

If your district has forms that must submitted please send them as soon as possible to: Texas State Library and Archives Commission, PO Box 12516, Austin, TX 78711 or emailed to ar@tsl.texas.gov.

Questions?

Please contact ld@tsl.texas.gov or contact Deborah Littrell, dlittrell@tsl.texas.gov, 512-463-5456.