Texas Conference Packs a Wallop

Though San Antonio lacked its usual sunny, warm disposition, the 7,500-plus attendees at the Texas Library Association conference (March 28–31) were treated to a bright array of programs, exhibits, and events, with youth services a dominant presence throughout. Half of the 10 preconference programs focused on children and teens, from "Teens in the 21st Century" to "Creating Support for School Libraries."

The profusion of children's book publishers among exhibitors drew long lines of autograph seekers for children's authors and illustrators, and huge crowds attended programs featuring Ann Martin, Paula Danziger, and Roxie Munro.

Two thousand people attended the Texas Bluebonnet Award luncheon—more than the American Library Association's Newbery/Caldecott banquet— as the foremost children's choice book award was presented to Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel for their rollicking Cook-a-Doodle-Doo (Harcourt, 1999). The other major youth services event, the annual Children's Roundtable breakfast, attracted 1,000 people to hear children's author Arthur Yorinks.

An SRO audience responded enthusiastically to the boisterous antics and radical message of technology contrarian Clifford Stoll, who adamantly declared that computers don't belong in schools.

First Lady Laura Bush received the Outstanding Service to Libraries Award for her work with the annual Texas Book Festival. Her videotaped acceptance from the White House cited $1.14 million raised by the Festival and given as grants to 394 public libraries. Her affirmation, "I'm proud to be your partner," brought Texas-sized cheers and applause.