Embracing Opportunity: One Member’s Journey into Volunteering

For many members, the first step into becoming more engaged in the Texas Library Association begins with a simple “yes.” That was the case for TLA President Valerie Prilop, whose leadership journey in TLA started with small acts of volunteering.

“I volunteered for a conference booth at one of my very first conferences—maybe my first,” she recalls. “That was a great way to start meeting people in a low, not-hard-work sort of way. it was a little easier than showing up at a social or a networking event and putting yourself out there because there’s a defined role and what you’re going to do in a timeframe.”

From there, her involvement steadily grew. She joined several round tables and then the Special Libraries Division, and she began contributing to conversations in meetings and eventually took on leadership roles. Each experience built on the last, growing her confidence and network, culminating in becoming TLA’s President.

“Once you say yes in TLA, you just have more and more opportunities to say yes. And so that’s just what started happening as I started meeting people through those round tables and then through the division that I was involved in.”

New TLA Volunteer Portal

TLA has launched the TLA Volunteer Portal, a new member-only site designed to help members get more involved in the work and mission of TLA.

Finding Your Next Opportunity to Lead and Grow

The Volunteer Portal will include roles on standing committees, unit leadership positions, conference assignments, micro-volunteer projects, and more.

Members can:

• Browse open roles using filters
• Select opportunities that align with interests and availability
• Submit interest directly and hear back about next steps

The portal is available to TLA members and uses the same login as your TLA Member Portal credentials.

Posting Open Opportunities

Unit Officers can also utilize the Volunteer Portal to post open opportunities. As well to follow up with interested members to guide them through next steps.

Access the Volunteer Portal

Visit the Get Involved webpage to learn more about getting involved, building new connections, and making a meaningful impact in TLA and the library industry.