1989-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PARIS PUBLIC LIBRARY TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE APRIL 12 -15, 1989 HOUSTON, TEXAS Report by Beverly Lewis INTRODUCTION: The theme for TLA's 1989 conference was "Libraries: Up, Up, and Away" which was quite appropriate because the conference focus was primarily upon preparing libraries for great achievements in the next decade by successfully managing them in this decade!. We realize how much we must accomplish in our libraries because of increased demands yet we must be both practical and creative in our services and programs because of decreased funds. As we finish this decade, library administrators must not only strive to maintain current levels of service, but must look ahead to obtaining shared resources to provide increased services which are expected by our communities at large. No longer can we be content with just minimum services and collections - we must offer citizens the widest range possible of relevant materials, information and programs. The workshops and programs I attended were very much in keeping with the conference theme. A synopsis of those I believe were the most useful follows. "RESOURCES FOR ALL TEXANS: RESOURCE SHARING AND RECIPROCAL BORROWING IN THE LONE STAR STATE ": Discussions at this workshop centered around the need for libraries of all sizes to better utilize their resource sharing capabilities. From InterLibrary Loan procedures which use the postal service for both ordering and transporting materials, to automated systems which use telecommunications for same, it is necessary for libraries to cooperate with each other to extend local collections. No longer can small and medium -size libraries provide all materials for their patrons - even large public libraries are having difficulties doing so because of shrinking financial support. It is increasingly necessary to reply on the resources of other libraries and indeed this makes sense because in certain instances it doesn't make sense economically or space -wise to own materials which can not justify their existance in our collections. There is agreement generally among librarians that we must share and borrow. Discussions, and some controversy, centered mainly around the issue of establishing /maintaining depository libraries and their funding. No monumental decisions were forthcoming from this workshop but the give and take of comments made participants aware of the need for cooperation in this area.