Lifetime Achievement

The Texas Library Association Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a librarian who has been a long standing member of TLA. The award recognizes an exemplary career in librarianship, an extended record of services, active participation in professional organizations, and creative leadership and service to the library profession.

Congratulations to Walter Betts, the winner of the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award!  

Walter Betts, Department Head of the Library Systems and Technology Department at the University of Texas at Arlington and former TLA President, was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the TLA 2023 Annual Conference.

Walter has served with distinction in school libraries at the campus and district level, as an academic librarian, and as a library educator. He has been a devoted, conscientious, and courageous librarian who not only served his own institutions incredibly well; he also assumed key positions at the state and national level to support and advance the work of libraries. He has held positions with the American Library Association and served in multiple TLA officer roles and executive board positions.

Any TLA member may nominate a deserving librarian for consideration. Nominations open September 15 and close Feb. 1, 2024. Nomination form.

Contact Christy Reynolds at TLA if you have any questions or need assistance.