Cultivating Community: A Preview of the 2026 TLA Annual Conference

In this episode, host Katie Loomis of Texas Woman’s University is joined by 2025–26 Texas Library Association President Valerie Prilop and conference planning co-chairs Kate Carter and Brandi Grant for a preview of the 2026 TLA Annual Conference in Houston. Centered on the theme of cultivating community, they share highlights from community-focused sessions, including a Sunday kickoff come-and-go event, “Community Collaboration: Academic, Public, and School Libraries Unite,” and “Effective Networking for Library Professionals.” The conversation also offers practical guidance for both first-time and returning attendees, from using journey maps and the conference app to exploring sessions and the Monday poster presentations. Listeners will hear about nearby Houston attractions, general sessions featuring John Leguizamo, Kate Quinn, and Michael Treviño on “Library Joy,” and popular ticketed events like the BCRT Authors Brunch with Karen Parsons, Texas Tea with the Authors, and Authors After Dark (tickets due March 12). Additional conference experiences include the exhibits hall, author signings, a relaxation station, volunteer opportunities, and a scavenger hunt.This episode is sponsored by Cherry Lake Publishing Group. Libraries Transform Texas is produced by Association Briefings.