2011 Texas Library Association annual conference and rally in support of library funding

What an absolutely tremendous three days! It was ANOTHER fantastic conference: many thanks to all at the Texas Library Association and the great vendors who made that possible, and special thanks to my wonderful principal and library technology coordinator for supporting my attendance! As so many have said, the opportunity the conference provides to be with other librarians, authors, illustrators, and vendors who "get" the importance of what we do for our students and patrons is immeasurable and quite an incentive to continue to follow our passion to promote literacy and a love of learning.

The rally at the capitol building was awesome, and participating in it was certainly a highlight of the conference. Hopefully it will make a difference in our state's budget. Please contact your legislators to let them know how important public and school libraries are to you, and that you would like them to even INCREASE their support of these programs!


 

Librarians Protest Budget Cuts at Capitol: MyFoxAUSTIN.com


As you can tell by viewing the above video and looking at this Google map:

http://tinyurl.com/3evfkt2%20%20

funding for Texas public and school libraries is certainly in need of your support.  Please visit the Texas Library Association's website:

http://www.txla.org/

then click on the following image to see what you can do to add your support:

"When I read about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that American society has found one more way to destroy itself." ~ Isaac Asimov


http://www.fundourfuturewashington.org/8.html 

Another highlight of the conference was the presentation of the 2011 Texas Bluebonnet Award to _The Uglified Ducky, as told by Maynard Moose to Willy Claflin_  by author Willy Claflin and illustrator James Stimson. Ten students in grades 3-4-5-6 awarded the medals.

Click on the following link to see a great photo of Maynard wearing his blue bonnet to celebrate their award:

http://www.willyclaflin.com/welcome.php  and watch for Maynard's newest tale, _Rapunzel and the Seven Dwarfs_.  It was great to learn that Maynard has about thirty more tales to share with us through terrific books like these.  We will anxiously be awaiting more of them.

Greg Mortenson, one of my heroes,  inspired attendees with his update on the work of the Central Asia Institute and their youth program, "Pennies for Peace."  I hope that you have had a chance to read his books: _Three Cups of Tea_ (there is also a version with the same title for elementary school students,) _Stones into Schools_ and _Listen to the Wind_.  For more information:

http://www.gregmortenson.com/

http://www.ikat.org/wp-includes/documents/gregmessage.pdf

http://www.ikat.org/wp-includes/documents/60minutesresponses.pdf

http://danielglick.net/2011/04/60-minutes-expose-on-three-cups-of-tea-is-weak-–-and-wrong/

http://www.ikat.org/wp-includes/documents/gmresponse.pdf

        (Mr. Mortenson's response ends with "When it is darkest, you can see the stars.")

I am sad to say that someone in Texas - or by now maybe another state or country, even - has one of my favorite author / illustrator's ipads!  As Gerald McDermott boarded his plane to come to Texas, he left his suitcase in the care of a flight attendant, and when he deplaned it had vanished!  He lost his favorite tie and his slideshow for his presentation to the Texas Library Association's Children's Round Table as well.  In spite of his losses, his presentation was absolutely tremendous.  He has recently finished the sixth in his series of trickster tales, _Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India_.  The other books in this well-loved series are _Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest_,  _Zomo: A Trickster Tale from West Africa_, _Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest_, _Jabuti: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon_ and Pig-Boy: A Trickster Tale from Hawai'i_.



Did you know that  a booklist for adults has been a recent addition to the great booklists announced each year by the Texas Library Association (2 X 2 for age 2 through grade 2, Texas Bluebonnet Award for grades 3-4-5-6, Texas Lone Star for grades 6-7-8, TAYSHAS for high school?)  The new Lariat list for adults was announced during the conference:

http://www.txla.org/Lariat

Finally, I would like to share with you "I Like Big Books," an award-winning film which was shown at a general assembly.  The film was created by students at Dowell Middle School in McKinney:

http://youtu.be/tuZSfvHHMr4     Enjoy!