CORAL Announcements

[CORAL: Council of Research & Academic Libraries]

🎉Welcome to Mexican American Catholic College! 

CORAL is thrilled to welcome Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) as our newest member! The Elizondo Library is a unique on-campus library and archive named in honor of Rev. Virgilio Elizondo, MACC’s founding president and a pioneer in Hispanic ministry and theology. Visit the CORAL website to learn more about MACC and the Elizondo Library!

🏅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

• 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. Zoom links will be sent out prior to the event.

🚌 Volunteer Opportunity: Book Buddies Bus at SA Book Festival

Join CORAL members as we partner with San Antonio ISD Foundation's Book Buddies program at the SA Book Festival on Saturday, April 11. Volunteers will be helping with the Book Buddies Bus and will have the opportunity to greet patrons, help children browse the book collection, restock shelves, and read with children. Registration closes April 9. 

Saturday, April 11
10 - 11:30 AM (CT)

Central Library, 600 Soledad Street, San Antonio, TX 78226

Point of Contact: Michelia Mason (SwRI)

Register Now (Registration closes April 9)

📚 Host a CORAL Library Tour

Interested in showcasing your library and connecting with fellow CORAL members? We’re looking for volunteers to host upcoming CORAL Library Open House tours!

Hosting is flexible and low-key—you can highlight your space, services, collections, or even give a behind-the-scenes look at your work. Whether your library is large or small, every perspective adds something valuable to our community.

If you’re interested in hosting, we’d love to hear from you! 

Want to be included in a future issue?
If you have news, events, ideas, or announcements you’d like to share in an upcoming CORAL eblast, we’d love to hear from you. Email us to be included in the next issue.