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The overall consensus was that automation standards are necessary <br />because of the increasing interdependency of libraries. However, comments <br />by TLA members focused on three major areas of concern: (1) No provision <br />has been made for library size differences. In other words, small, <br />community libraries should not have to provide the same type of automated <br />system as Dallas Public. (2) No provision was included for the phasing <br />in of automation. In many libraries, automation is more practical in <br />phases, for example, on -line public access catalogs first, followed by <br />circulation. And (3) the timing on this proposal is poor because library <br />professionals have not had adequate time to study it and to respond. <br />The Division announced it planned to submit these standards to the <br />Library Services Construction Act Advisory Council in early May. <br />Hopefully, the proposal will be rewritten before submittal, taking into <br />consideration the obvious dismay expressed by those present at the <br />Conference. I have written a letter stating my concern for the reasons <br />noted above. After all, we have managed for several years to fund and <br />establish automation projects and I believe we should not rush into <br />adopting unrealistic, impractical standards although I know they are <br />ultimately necessary. <br />"HUMANITIES PROGRAMS IN LIBRARIES ": <br />This excellent program provided an introduction to funding <br />opportunities and available Humanities programs by the National Endowment <br />for the Humanities and the Texas Humanities Resource Center. Both <br />agencies have a wide range of assistance available which includes reading <br />lists, traveling art exhibits, speakers, and complete guidelines for <br />producing local public humanities programs. <br />Much literature was available and I collected that which I felt would <br />be useful. Adult reading and subsequent group discussions about recent <br />titles - somewhat along the format of the Great Books program - have <br />proved popular in many public libraries and it is my goal to begin a <br />similar program here. <br />CONCLUSION: <br />This was my first TLA Conference and I am glad I attended. And <br />because I believe that knowledge gained can be more beneficial when <br />shared, I wrote this report. <br />One final note of importance. We in the Northeast Texas Library <br />System can be very proud of Elizabeth Crabb, our talented NETLS <br />Coordinator, because she was honored with the prestigious TLA <br />Distinguished Service Award. Those of us who know Elizabeth realize the <br />award recognizes her many years of dedicated service to public libraries <br />and, perhaps most importantly, it recognizes her concern for NETLS <br />libraries, both large and small, which is manifested in her willingness to <br />assist with problems and promotion whenever requested. <br />