The Texas Library Association Annual Conference is next week in Austin, and I am so excited. There is always so much to do at the state conference, I never have enough time to do everything! This year is especially exciting as we’re headed back to Austin, the first city I ever lived in when That Guy and I arrived in Texas, and April is perfect for it.
I am a total graphic novel and comic nerd, and this conference is brimming with opportunities to bring that love of comics and graphic novels to your library and your tweens and teens. From sessions to artists to vendors, including the Collaborative Summer Reading Program theme Every Hero has a Story, comic book and graphic novel fever is EVERYWHERE.
TUESDAY:
Maverick Con: Stay in Front of the Graphic Novel Wave
3:00 – 3:50 pm
Put the POW in a powerful graphic novel program! Maverick Committee members cover tips for keeping your collection current and running a great graphic novel program. Establish and promote a manga/anime program or comic con club in your library.
Bethni King, Georgetown Public Library; Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano Public Library System; and Candace Neal, Carroll High School, Carroll ISD.
WEDNESDAY:
Teen & Tween Programming: Walking the Tightrope of Budgeting
10:15 – 11:50 am
Score tips and tricks for spending little to no money on crazy fun teen and tween programs. Speakers share savvy strategies for marketinglibrary services, finding free resources, and maximizing the use of books, games, pop culture, crafts, technology, food, and more for resourceful programming. Tip #1: Network with hoarders (really!).
Michelle Beebower, Collection and Cataloging, and Nichole A. Chagnon, Saint John’s Branch, Austin Public Library; Renee Dyer, Weslaco East High School, Weslaco ISD; and Christina Hicks, Friendswood Public Library.
THURSDAY:
Star Wars: In A Galaxy Far, Far Away (and a book near you)
2:00 – 2:50 pm
Learn how authors are reinterpreting the original Star Wars saga storylines in four new children’s books tied to the original Star Wars film trilogy. Oh-be-one in the know as this series comes to a galaxy close to you in advance of the December 2015 release of the next Star Wars film, Episode VII.
Tom Angleberger, Alex Bracken, and Adam Gidwitz, Disney Publishing Worldwide
FRIDAY:
Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Program Featuring Jeff Smith
9:00 – 9:50 am
The Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Committee presents programming ideas for this year’s list. This program will feature Jeff Smith, best known as creator of the comic book series BONE and winner of numerous awards and honors including 10 Eisner Awards and 11 Harvey Awards. “Little Mavs,” a new graphic novel list for younger kids, will be introduced.
Jeff Smith, Graphix, Scholastic Inc
AUTHOR SIGNINGS
Another thing that I LOVE about TLA is that they have an ACTUAL author signing area- which means less crowds in the exhibits area and actual space to wait. Traditionally the publishers will have books in the line that they sell, but if there are popular titles or favorites of yours, bring them with you as they may not have them. Also, most authors are willing to sign tote bags or other objects for classes or for prizes, but not all will depending on the length of the line. If you’re bringing a special item like that, make sure you bring the type of marker or sharpie that the author will need to sign with- their pen or sharpie may not be the right type or right color to show up on your item.
The schedule for both the author signing area and the booth signings (there are signings in both so be forewarned if you come around a corner and see a swarm of people) are below. Please note that the schedules are always subject to change, so be sure to check the exhibits floor that day for updates.
TLA Author Area Signing Schedule