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There are 3 TLA Conference programs on issues directly affecting public libraries. Each is intended as an update and as an opportunity for you to comment on the proposals: Standards Task Force (Thursday, March 18, 2 to 3:50 pm) Public Library Development Study Task Force (Friday, March 19, 10 to 11:50 am) Resource Sharing Task Force (Saturday, March 20, 10 to 11:50 am) The Standards Task Force will describe their proposed revision of the minimum criteria for system membership, which, if adopted by the Library and Archives Commission, would impact all members of CTLS. They will also describe their proposed revision of the voluntary 2000 TLA Standards, which might also be proposed for adoption by the Commission. The PLDS Task Force will describe its proposed recommendations on what should be done with the 15 recommendations of the PLDS consultants. Several of the recommendations directly affect CTLS, and the others impact local libraries directly or through other State Library programs, such as TexShare and ILL. The Resource Sharing Task Force has focused mainly on a legislative strategy for 2005, when the $3 million in TIF funds for the TexShare databases may no longer be available. It has also focused on restoring database funding for K-12 (lost in 2003), and there is broad support for legislation to include K-12 in TexShare but no clear source of funding available. The final recommendations of the Task Force will probably be incorporated into TLA's 2005 legislative strategy. This won't be your last opportunity to express your concerns or provide comment, but it will offer one of the best opportunities to hear and be heard. Bob Gaines
