"Texas communities benefit widely from the programs and services funded through LSTA’s annual appropriation. From reading initiatives for children and resources for job seekers to digital inclusion projects, statewide library programs supported by these federal funds reach millions of Texas each year and make a critical contribution to the education, health, and economic opportunities of the public we serve."

-- Gloria Meraz, Director and Librarian, Texas State Library and Archives Commission
 

Art is for Everyone
Arlington Public Library offered art classes virtually and in-person in their makerspace for children and adults, as well as artist exhibits, and a free non-juried exhibit. Community artists were selected to teach the classes, and the library also featured a Create Hour program, in which participants explored different art forms on their own with supplies provided by the library. This project strengthened the creative capacity of the community by allowing anyone to learn to express themselves through art, as well as contributing to the local artist community, giving them a place to display their work and to grow as professional artists. During the pandemic the program also gave community members an outlet and became a highlight of the week for many. 
IMLS Funds: $28,695.63

Sensory Inclusivity at the Euless Public Library
The Euless Public Library expanded services by creating a sensory inclusive space and offering sensory inclusive programming and materials to its patrons of all ages and abilities. At the outset of the grant, they recognized that only a handful of library spaces were designated as sensory inclusive in the North Texas area, with none serving Euless directly. In addition to developing the space and programming, 22 staff members received guidance from professionals in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB) ISD Special Education Department. The library achieved a designation of sensory inclusivity from a nationally known organization, Kulture City, and shared its expertise at state and national conferences. 
IMLS Funds: $20,434.45
 

Texas Films Revealed
As part of an ongoing project, the Houston Public Library (HPL) in partnership with The Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI), digitized and made widely accessible historically important and previously unavailable Texas films. The films are currently in the collections of HPL’s Houston Metropolitan Research Center (HMRC) and the African American Library at the Gregory School (Gregory). Staff from HPL, HMRC and Gregory worked with contractors to describe the films using standard metadata practices that make them more findable for the public. During the project period, staff processed 294 films of significant events in Texas from 1940s to 1970s. Items are accessible statewide through the TAMI online library, the HPL Digital Archives, and multiple HMRC and Gregory programs. A representative selection of the films is available for streaming from the TAMI library.
IMLS Funds: $35,000