President’s Perspective

TLA Leading the Way!

By Daniel Burgard

I just finished a stint as a mentor for the Texas Library Association’s TALL Texans leadership development program and I could not be any more excited about the future of Texas libraries and our profession in general. Seeing the participants grow their knowledge and explore their capacity for leadership was truly an amazing experience that is helping to steel me for what I will charitably call “tough times.” With TLA’s commitment to leadership training and the amazing early and midcareer professionals in our ranks, I know that Texas librarians and libraries will meet all challenges head-on and persevere in providing excellent services, resources, and spaces to Texans.

I mentioned TALL Texans and perhaps you already know a bit about that program for library professionals with five years or more of experience in the field. Did you know, however, that TLA runs an early-career leadership program known as Launch? Launch is designed for library employees with less than five years of experience in the field and gives participants an overview and basic understanding of leadership topics. The specific goals of Launch are to: • Expand understanding on leadership topics: communication, teamwork, emotional intelligence, change management, equity, diversity and inclusion, and influence • Collaborate with library professionals from all library types

I encourage you to investigate Launch for yourself or someone you know who wants to “test the waters” and gauge their interest in leadership training. Learn more about it and register for Launch 2022 (Feb. 13-14 in Austin).

Returning to the TALL Texan Leadership Development Institute, competition for admittance to this world-class program is fierce and admittance can truly set someone up for making great contributions to our profession. The bonds created between TALL participants can last a lifetime, with each class forming a strong cohort that can serve as a pool of colleagues who can be counted on for advice and support throughout a person’s career.

Directed since its inception by two-time ALA president and renowned library leader Maureen Sullivan, the TALL Texan program seeks to transform participants and unlock their full leadership potential so they can better serve their institution and profession. Specifically designed to provide a safe setting where participants can get out of their comfort zone, the program is maximally participative, bringing participants together in creative ways that helps them grow as leaders and as people.

Learn more about the TALL Texan program and watch for the 2022 application cycle to open soon.

By the way, did you know that the TALL acronym stands for Texas Accelerated Library Leaders? We should all be proud of TLA’s outstanding slate of leadership development programs, but I want to encourage you to also consider the fact that TLA members exhibit leadership every day via their daily work and their participation in association activities. Regardless of one’s participation in TALL or Launch, librarian leadership is on display during every interaction with a student, parent, teacher, or member of the public. Our professional credibility and the goodwill we enjoy from all our constituents is burnished every day Further, service in TLA positions such as a standing committee member, chair, district officer, or conference program or local arrangement committee member is an outstanding way to serve and lead librarians in our state. It is not an exaggeration to say that every member of the Texas Library Association is a leader, regardless of who they are, where they work, or what tasks they perform. TLA definitely equals leadership and that is why I am filled with optimism and hope for the future.

Daniel Burgard 2021-2022 TLA President