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Annual Conference

Library Friends Trustees Advocates Round Table

Promotes the exchange of ideas among library trustees and supporters.
TLA Library Friends, Trustees, and Advocates Round Table (LiFTA) Logo

About the Round Table

The Library Friends, Trustees, and Advocates Round Table (LiFTA) enables library friends, trustees, and other advocates to promote and foster the development of library services by exchanging ideas, experiences and information.

LiFTA also provides related programs at the TLA Annual Conference, including popular ticketed event: Opening Awards and Author Luncheon.

Officers

  • Chair: Mary Cardenas
  • Chair-Elect: TBD
  • Past-Chair: Sharon Amastae
  • Secretary-Treasurer: Kathy Hillman
  • Councilor: Sharon Amastae
  • Alt. Councilor: Mary Woodard
  • Webmaster: TBD
  • Liaison: Cynthia Rodriguez

Events

Applications for our $600 travel stipend for attending the 2026 Annual Conference has closed. Find us at the Annual Conference on March 29-31, 2026 in Houston.

Find your District’s Fall 2026 meeting beginning as early as September! Collaborate, Network, and Learn Together

Volunteer

Enhance your leadership skills by volunteering with TLA

Volunteer

Support Texas Libraries

Read the news article about the TLA public awareness video to promote the value of libraries in our communities

Operating Procedures

LiFTA Operating Procedures

  • Chair: Billy Cryer
  • Chair-Elect: Mary Cardenas
  • Past-Chair: Denise Wallace
  • Secretary-Treasurer: Kathy Hillman
  • Councilor: Michelle Slonaker
  • Alt. Councilor: Sharon Amastae
  • Webmaster: Denise Wallace
  • Liaison: Israel Favela
  • Chair: Denise Wallace
  • Chair-Elect: Billy Cryer
  • Past-Chair: Sharon Amastae
  • Secretary-Treasurer: Kathy Hillman
  • Councilor: Michelle Slonaker
  • OPEN, Alt. Councilor
  • OPEN, Webmaster
  • Liaison: Roosevelt Weeks
  • Chair: Sharon Amastae
  • Chair-Elect: Denise Wallace
  • Past-Chair: Michelle Slonaker
  • Secretary-Treasurer: Kathy Hillman
  • Councilor: Billy Cryer
  • Alt. Councilor: Willie Braudaway
  • OPEN, Webmaster
  • Liaison: Roosevelt Weeks
  • Chair: Michelle Slonaker
  • Chair-Elect: Sharon Amastae
  • Past-Chair: Kathy Hillman
  • Secretary-Treasurer: Denise Wallace
  • Councilor: Willie Braudaway
  • Alt. Councilor: Billy Cryer
  • OPEN, Webmaster
  • Liaison: Gretchen Pruett

Opening Awards and Author Luncheon – TLA 2024

Authors: Meg Medina, Loren Long, Lisa Wingate

  • Author Meg Medina at 2024 TLA Annual Conference Opening Awards and Author Luncheon reading at a podium
  • Author Loren Long at 2024 TLA Annual Conference Opening Awards and Author Luncheon reading from the podium.
  • Speaker at 2024 TLA Annual Conference Opening Awards and Author Luncheon reading from the podium.
  • Stack of books on table Speaker at 2024 TLA Annual Conference Opening Awards and Author Luncheon.
  • Speaker at 2024 TLA Annual Conference Opening Awards and Author Luncheon reading from the podium.
  • Woman receiving award from man at 2024 TLA Annual Conference Opening Awards and Author Luncheon.
  • Author Loren Long at 2024 TLA Annual Conference Opening Awards and Author Luncheon reading from the podium.
  1. Resources for Library Supporters: Resources for Library Supporters – Texas Library Association (txla.org)
  2. United for Libraries  https://www.ala.org/united/friends
    “… supporting those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for all types of libraries.”
  3. Every Library  https://www.everylibrary.org/about-everylibrary
    “…dedicated to building voter support for libraries.”
  4. Newly created TLA Intellectual Freedom Helpline
  5. TSLAC  https://www.tsl.texas.gov
    Texas State Library and Archives Commission
  6. Tocker Foundation  https://tocker.org/
    Supporting Public Libraries all across Rural Texas