Library director appointed to diversity committee

Bandera’s library has a voice on a statewide committee.

Mauri Guillen Fagan, Executive Director of the Bandera Kronkosky Public Library, was recently appointed to a three-year term on the Texas Library Association Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

According to a statement from the library, the committee oversees policies, procedures and resources for Texas libraries in a commitment to building inclusive collections and programming.

“The library board would like to extend our congratulations to Ms. Fagan for this appointment and we look forward to her contributions both to our community and the field of librarianship in the future,” read a statement from the library.

The committee also provides oversight and direction for TLA’s continuing education and development for equity and inclusion.

“Diversity is one of the five strategic initiatives of the Texas Library Association. Specifically, “TLA values, seeks, and develops a diverse leadership and membership,” read a statement from TLA in their Diversity and Action Plan . “All barriers to full member participation based upon gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, or disability will be identified and eliminated.”

Additional committee members currently listed on TLAs website include:

• Kimberly Gay, Prairie View A&M University, Co-Chair

• Lynda Infante Huerta, Austin Community College, Co-Chair

• Jennifer Lugo, Cedar Park Public Library, Cedar Park

• Fatemeh Kholoosi Raftar, Texas A&M University- Commerce

• Jessica Silva, El Paso High School, El Paso ISD

• Laura Tadena, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Library Management and Equity Consultant

• Nicole Cruz, Sharyland ISD

• Ana Frade, Houston Public Library

• Courtney Walker, Skaggs Elementary School, Plano ISD

• Israel Favela, Houston Public Library

• Joshua Salmans, Texas Tech University More info about the Texas Library Association is available at txla.org.