On behalf of the Visioning Task Force Steering Committee, I want to thank you for your participation in this extraordinary process. My first thought is to sing you a chorus of "together again" because, as I recall statewide library activities we have tackled over the last 20 plus years, I realize some of us have been through a number of planning processes together. One aspect that makes this venture particularly exciting (and new), however, is that our song should really be "it feels like the first time," because at least one half of our group is relatively new to the profession. And, many task force members represent affiliated organizations and stakeholder groups. So, it really will be the first time for many of us to sit down together and discuss the future of libraries!
As you may know, this visioning process is a collaborative partnership between the Texas Library Association and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. From the beginning, the motivating kernel in designing this process was to create a strong, grassroots-led effort that would involve the input of new and veteran voices both within and outside of the library community. The Steering Committee is working hard to design a framework that will help us all think broadly and will give the entire library community many opportunities to take part in this visioning process and undertake the essential work of transforming Texas libraries.
As a leader, your voice is critical in helping shape a vision and recommendations that will form the basis of broad discussion on how to ensure the vitality and visibility of libraries in the coming years. Our work represents the critical first step for statewide change.
The process is an exciting one—one that we hope will capture the minds and passion of library supporters statewide. We will be coming together virtually immediately, then in person in December, and then back to virtual work. We will be using a number of tools to do so. I am anticipating our lowest tech tool (our listserv) will soon begin providing you with recommended readings, intriguing webcasts, and as we move through the process, our own ideas for our vision and then drafts of our vision for refining and finalizing.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Austin in December and working with you throughout this process. I think all of us should reread our document as it provides us with our first introspective look with an outline of our core values, a brief overview of our issues, a general scan of the environment, a first articulation of the questions facing us, and our "call to arms."
Transforming Texas Libraries Web page at: http://www.txla.org/temp/Transform.htmlJulie Todaro, Chair, Transforming Texas Libraries
Transforming Texas Libraries Steering Committee
Cindy Buchanan, Director of Libraries, Alief ISD
Sharon Carr, Director of Libraries, El Paso ISD
Rhoda Goldberg, Interim Director, Harris County Public Library
Patrick Heath, Former Mayor of Boerne and Public Advocate
Judie Lutz, Librarian (retired), Hewlett-Packard
Kerry McGeath, Director, Southlake Public Library
Eva Poole, Director, Denton Public Libraries
Dana Rooks, Dean of Libraries, University of Houston
Alice Specht, Dean of Libraries, Hardin-Simmons University
Julie Todaro, Dean of Libraries, Austin Community College (Chair)
Gloria Meraz, Director of Communications, Texas Library Association (ex-officio)
Peggy Rudd, State Librarian and Director, Texas State Library and Archives Commission (ex-officio)
Edward Seidenberg, Assistant State Librarian, Texas State Library and Archives Commission (ex-officio)
Pat Smith, Executive Director, Texas Library Association (ex-officio)
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