Make a Difference

Whitten Intellectual Freedom Fund

Libraries across Texas are facing unprecedented numbers of challenges to books and materials,  and books are being removed from library shelves without going through established reconsideration processes. Librarians are under tremendous pressure and TLA is committed to doing whatever we can to fight these censorship efforts. We’ve established an Intellectual Freedom Helpline to connect librarians who have questions or are facing a challenge with other librarians who can offer support and resources. TLA also launched Texans for the Right to Read, a grassroots coalition that opposes widespread, coordinated efforts to apply subjective criteria to ban books across the state.

Legislation restricting what students can be taught about our country’s complex history, and restricting what books they can read, is being passed around the country; and we will see similar proposals before the Texas Legislature when it convenes in January 2023. We need your support to continue to advocate for the right to read. Please consider making a donation to the Whitten Fund which supports activities that increase attention to, and support of intellectual freedom.

Donate to the Whitten Fund

Your Support Makes Our Community Stronger!

Donations help make TLA the go-to source of support,knowledge, and community for Texas librarians and libraries. Your support helps librarians respond to crises, grow in their professional journey and develop leadership skills, curate broad-reaching reading lists and serve their communities. Your contributions support the profession and TLA’s mission to empower library personnel and supporters to develop library excellence for the people of Texas.

TLA relies on the generosity of library supporters to enable us to carry out our mission. A gift of financial support to TLA translates into an enduring legacy that will help keep the flame of libraries and literacy burning bright. We hope you’ll consider supporting the profession and TLA.

Thank you to our FY2021 Donors! (Contributions for FY2021: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021)

TLA Funds

These funds support innovative association initiatives and activities, and specific programs.

• Pat Smith Endowment for Excellence Fund: Supports the essential work of the association and its members .
• Christina Woll Fund: Supports a grant to a public or school library for collection development or programming supporting children.
• Disaster Relief Fund: Supports Texas libraries that are impacted by natural disasters such as storms, flooding, etc.
• Glen & Jerre Hetherington Fund: Supports the development of library leaders now and into the future.
• Jeanette & Jim Larson Fund: Supports a grant to a public library to enhance their mystery genre collection
• June Kahler Berry Fund: Provides funds for the Tall Texan leadership Institute.
• Scholarship & Research Fund: Provides funds for scholarships to students who are enrolled in an ALA or CAEP accredited graduate library school program.
• Texas Bluebonnet Award Endowment Fund: Provides funding for Texas Bluebonnet Award program activities, including  bringing students and families to the TLA Annual Conference to attend the TBA luncheon.
• Wayne Williams Fund: Provides an annual cash grant to the recipient of the TLA Wayne Williams Project of the Year Award.
• Whitten Intellectual Freedom Fund: Provides support for activities that increase attention to intellectual freedom.
• Legislative Reserve Fund: Supports grassroots, research and advocacy efforts.

DONATE to TLA

Donation Levels

• Donor ($15 – $49)
• Patron ($50 – $99)
• Mentor ($100 – $249)
• Promoter ($250 – $499)
• Guardian ($500 – $749)
• Partner ($750 – $999)
• Pillar ($1000 – $1999)
• Champion ($2000+)
• Luminary Society ($50K+)