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A CTLS librarian asks: >Bob, Where can I find an online copy of the proposed public library standards? What >stage are we at with the implementation of these standards and who would administer >and enforce these standards? In fall 2000 the TLA ad hoc Committee on Public Library Standards completed the proposed standards and posted them on the TLA web site. The Public Library Division of TLA adopted the standards for voluntary use but waited until after the 2001 legislative session to request adoption by TLA. In 2002 TLA adopted the standards for voluntary use and recommended them to the Library and Archives Commission, which approved a resolution that "encourages Texas public librarians to use the standards as a valuable tool...." Currently, the TLA standards are completely voluntary. The only mandatory standards are the �Minimum Standards for Accreditation� which TSLAC requires for System membership. These are very minimal and haven't been changed since the introduction of Systems in the mid-70s: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/libsysact/criteria.html Anticipating renewed interest in standards because of the Library Development Study, TLA President Eva Poole and State Librarian Peggy Rudd created a Joint TSLAC/TLA Task Force on Public Library Standards and Accreditation in April 2003. The draft Library Development Study released in May suggests that the new task force "can help the library community focus on a smaller subset of the [TLA] standards as it considers �Minimum Standards for Accreditation.� We also believe that an implementation approach that first acknowledges the areas in which libraries are successful will help ease the pain." There are three "tiers" in the TLA standards: Essential, Enhanced, and Excellent. Although the TSLAC/TLA Task Force will not begin its work until Annual Assembly in July, there is a long-standing expectation that at least some elements of the Essential tier would become the new �Minimum Standards for Accreditation.� The draft Library Development Study suggests implementing standards by: 1) providing incentives for successful achievement of a higher standard, and 2) extensive assistance from Systems. Bill Wilson, the lead author of the study, has suggested that libraries might choose one or two items in the Enhanced and Excellent levels to work on each year. For achieving the standard the library might receive a larger Loan Star Libraries grant or additional CD funds. Eva and Peggy also created a joint TSLAC/TLA Task Force on Implementation of the Study of Public Library Development in April. That task force is charged with considering all of the study recommendations. Since incentives and support are crucial to the implementation of standards, these recommendations will be considered by both task forces. The task forces will work together closely, consulting extensively with all stakeholders. They are expected to make their recommendations next spring. Any changes in the �Minimum Standards for Accreditation� must be made by the Library and Archives Commission. The Commission could authorize changes in the Loan Star Libraries grants to provide incentives for the Enhanced and Excellent levels of standards, and Systems could individually or together change the way CD money is allocated and other assistance provided. But the Commission and the Systems will not act unless there is broad support, so ultimately it is up to the stakeholders -- Texas libraries and their supporters -- to decide what happens with the standards. The standards adopted by TLA are at http://www.txla.org/groups/plstand/plstand.html Bob Gaines --------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Include in body: unsubscribe ctls-l For information on CTLS-L please visit: http://www.ctls.net/document/ctls-l.htm
