CORAL Announcements
Darling, Valerie
This message contains the following announcements:
Professional Development Award
Volunteer Opportunity: Book Buddies Book Sort
Professional Development Award
Looking to grow your skills or explore something new? CORAL is pleased to offer up to $750 in reimbursement to support librarians and paraprofessionals pursuing professional development opportunities. We especially encourage first-time applicants to apply! Whether you’re attending a conference, workshop, or training program, this award is here to help you learn, connect, and bring new ideas back to your work. If there’s an opportunity you’re curious about or a skill you’ve been hoping to build, this is a great place to start. Apply Today!
Applications close April 30, and recipients will be announced at the Spring Meeting (date TBD). For full selection criteria, eligibility, and award details, please visit the CORAL Professional Development Award webpage.
Dive In with CORAL!
A New Monthly Member Series
Looking for an easy, low-stakes way to stay connected with the CORAL community? Dive In with CORAL is a new monthly, 30(ish)-minute member series designed for sharing ideas, learning from one another, and catching up...without the pressure of a full presentation or a big-time commitment. Each session offers a different way to participate. Members are welcome to share for up to 10 minutes, and sessions are intentionally relaxed, informal, and supportive. You can share in whatever way feels easiest — slides, screen sharing, images, or simply talking it through. There’s no one “right” way to participate. Think of this series as a chance to see what others are working on, pick up a few new ideas, and leave feeling a little more connected, even if you just come to listen.
Upcoming Sessions & Themes
2nd Tuesday of the Month | 10am | ~ 30 minutes
- Show & Shell-ebration (March 10)
- A relaxed space to share a project you’re proud of and celebrate recent work.
- Treasures of the Reef (April 14)
- Highlight a favorite tool, software, or resource you love using.
- Reef Rescue (May 12)
- Talk through a challenge and get ideas or feedback from fellow members.
- Open Waters: AI (June 9)
- An open discussion for questions, conversation, and shared perspectives.
- Making Waves (July 14)
- Share design, marketing, outreach, or social media projects and swap ideas.
- Lessons from the Lighthouse (August 11)
- Reflect on experiences or lessons learned that may help guide others.
How to Join
Sign up using the Google Doc. You can indicate which session(s) you’re interested in and whether you’d like to share or just attend.
Volunteer Opportunity: Book Buddies Book Sort
Join CORAL members as we partner with San Antonio ISD Foundation’s Book Buddies program to help get books into the hands of local students. Volunteers will assist with sorting donated books by age group so they can be distributed to children throughout the community.
This is a hands-on, easy way to make a meaningful impact in just a short amount of time. No special experience is needed, just a willingness to help and spend time with fellow CORAL members doing good work together. Whether you’re able to stay for the full session or just part of it, your help makes a difference. We hope you’ll join us!
Saturday, March 14
9:30 AM – 12 PM (CT)
311 North Frank Luke Drive, San Antonio, TX 78226
Point of Contact: Michelia Mason (SwRI)
Registration closes March 12! Sign up now!