PLENARY Texas Library Association Q True Value Builds Out Q World Santa Claus Congress
PRE CON TLA Checks Out Houston
MEETING: Texas Library Association (TLA) 2012 Annual Conference, which is projected to bring about 7,400 participants — including exhibitors at a 600-booth trade show — to the George R. Brown Convention Center in Hous- ton on April 17–20. Attendees come from all types of institutions across the state, including elementary- and secondary-school, public, col-
lege and university, and special libraries.
CHALLENGES: “We’ve had a really hard year financially in terms of legislation,” said Patricia Smith, TLA’s executive director. “All of the librar- ies took a hit financially this year, so we don’t know what’s going to happen in April of 2012 in Houston.” In addition to budget cuts, many library staffs have faced state-imposed travel restrictions. Smith said: “Travel funds are oftentimes the first thing that gets cut in organizations.” With no clear sense of how many people will attend TLA 2012, Smith and her team are bracing for the worst “in ways that are transparent to our members and our attendees,” Smith said. “Our goal is to have a class-act experience for all our attend- ees. We don’t want to do anything that jeopardizes that experience.” Thus, TLA’s cost-cutting measures are carefully targeted. The on-site program, which is usually a stand- alone publication, will be incorporated into the organization’s Texas Library Journal. Shuttle service might be re- duced during off-peak hours. And the welcome party will be moved from a museum or other off-site venue to the exhibit hall.
BOOKINGS: TLA’s 2011 meeting included a Strong Librar- ies, Strong Scores mini-conference for school adminis- trators (top) and a rally at the Texas Capitol (above).
THERE’S A MEETING FOR THAT? Christmas in July
WORLD SANTA CLAUS CONGRESS: There arose such a clatter at Dyrehavsbakken amuse- ment park in Copenhagen on July 18–20 when more than 120 St. Nicks from 11 countries gathered for World Santa Claus Congress 2011. On the list that they made and checked twice: a pentathalon competition that included bumper cars (1); the appointment of Dan- ish singer-songwriter Anna David as the year’s “Honorary Santa” (2); scattered sightings of Mrs. Claus (3); and a visit to the Copenhagen Zoo (4) — home to Santa’s preferred mode of transportation. For more information, visit www.worldsantaclauscongress.com.