It’s that time again! Time to compete against libraries across the nation in a pitch competition to win a prize to launch or support your idea that will aid local entrepreneurs, small businesses, job creation, and economic development! Submissions for the pitch competition are open now! Mark your calendars with these important dates for the 2024 Entrepreneurship & Libraries Conference (ELC) Pitch Competition: March 27, Wednesday: Perfect Pitch workshop (1-2:15 pm Eastern via Zoom), Register today! April 5, Friday: Pitch submissions deadline April 15, Monday: Top three finalist librarie ..read more

On the last Thursday of most months, the Innovation and Technology Round Table (ITRT) of the Texas Library Association (TLA) hosts a series of FREE half-hour Zoom “Tech Chats” featuring the innovative, award-winning work of Texas libraries and some quick overviews of the latest emerging technologies through a library lens. All Texas library staff are welcome to attend any of the 30-minute Zoom chats. Register here. Here’s what the ITRT Tech Chat schedule looks like for 2024: Jan 25 | 12-12:30: Librarians from Dr. Leonides G. Cigarroa High School (Lubbock) on STEAM Family Night (photos of pa ..read more

The E-rate Application Window for 2024 closes on March 27 (with the first form due end of February), so act now! If you’re from an accredited public library and want to apply for this funding, TSLAC offers free E-rate consultants as part of its Libraries Connecting Texas (LCT) program. Please contact Henry Stokes at LD@tsl.texas.gov as soon as possible. E-Rate is a federal discount program available to accredited public libraries that pays up to 90% of broadband costs, but we at TSLAC know the process to complete an application like this can be daunting. TSLAC is continuing its support o ..read more

Don’t forget to register for the first webinar in the Texas, Get Ready for Digital Opportunity – Free Technical Assistance Webinar Series, which starts today! More information about the series and a link to register below. The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO), in partnership with HR&A Advisors and the Institute of Local Self-Reliance (ILSR),  is pleased to offer free webinar series that will help local governments, non-profits, and community advocates understand and demystify the complex landscape of digital opportunity. It’s imperative that Texas communities are prepare ..read more

E-rate is a federal discount program available to accredited public libraries that pays up to 90% of broadband costs, but we at TSLAC know the process to complete an application like this can be daunting. TSLAC is continuing its support of libraries this year in applying for E-Rate. The project, called Libraries Connecting Texas (LCT), providesFREE, one-on-one support from a professional consulting firm, E-Rate Central, to guide participating libraries successfully through the 2024 E-Rate Funding Year.  Brand new this year: the free consultants can help with ALL categories of E-rate such ..read more

All U.S. public libraries are invited to complete PLA’s 2023 Public Library Technology survey by Saturday, December 16. This year’s survey will examine how public libraries serve as hubs of knowledge and innovation in our communities, as well as show how libraries have evolved to meet patron needs since the 2020 survey. More information on this year’s survey and the 2020 Technology survey report can be found HERE. An informational webinar has been scheduled for Thursday, October 12 at 1:00 PM central. Find more information and register HERE. Reasons why your library should complete the survey ..read more

It’s grants time once again! The following FY 2025 TSLAC Competitive Grant Programs will open for application on Monday, October 23, 2023. Grant opportunities include: TexTreasures: Makes special or unique collections more accessible to library users and researchers across Texas and beyond. Special Projects: Expands library services to all members of the community with specific emphasis on development of programs for populations with special needs or those having difficulty accessing library services. Regional ILS Cooperative: Provides electronic and other linkages between all types of libra ..read more

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Libraries Connecting Texas (LCT) program.  We are pleased to announce that the Texas State Library has contracted with E-Rate Central to provide E-Rate consulting services to eligible libraries in the state of Texas at no cost to the libraries! Unlike years past, E-Rate Central will now be providing E-Rate support and forms preparation for both categories one and two. For those unfamiliar, E-Rate is a discount program for schools and accredited public libraries to help close the WiFi gap across the nation. Depending on indica ..read more

The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) is hosting two more public meetings—this time virtual for those who missed their regional in-person ones. These conversations will help shape opportunities for Texans to access, afford, and use the internet in ways that increase education, health, economic opportunity, and quality of life for communities. The meetings are open to all. Libraries: This is a great opportunity for you to share your perspective on connectivity challenges and to encourage the communities your serve to attend as well. Here’s instructions for how to join the meetings from ..read more

In February 2023, Austin Brinkley (pictured) of Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas (WSSET), along with Kevin King and Maris Peno, conducted a training session for libraries in the counties of Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange. Actually, WSSET was the inaugural workforce development board that TSLAC got to host in its Get to Know Your Partners training series, the purpose of which is to build more connections between community leaders so that more resources, information, and opportunities can reach even more community members. As a matter of fact, we can say with great pleasure that the possibi ..read more