Texas Center for the Book Kickoff

About 100 people turned out on a beautiful sunny Oct. 18, 2015 on the porch of the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building to welcome the Texas Center for the Book to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin, Texas. Director and Librarian Mark Smith welcomed guests to the program which featured Austin novelist and screenwriter Sarah Bird, Pat Mora, founder of Dia de los Libros/Dia de los Ninos, and keynote speaker, Carmen Lomas Garza. Attendees were treated to musical selections by Austin Symphony Orchestra violinist Caleb, and refreshments courtesy of HEB.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission thanks the Friends of Libraries & Archives of Texas and the Xerox Corporation for their support of this special event.

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress was established by public law in 1977 to promote books, reading, literacy and libraries, as well as the scholarly study of books. Since its founding, the Center has established affiliate centers in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Texas Center was located at the Dallas Public Library until moving to TSLAC the fall of 2015.

The Center's mission is carried out internationally through its overseas affiliates. More than 80 organizations are Center for the Book reading promotion partners both in the United States and abroad.

Photo of Director and Librarian Mark Smith and author Carmen Lopez Garza standing under the Texas Center for the Book Banner on the front porch of the Lorenzo de Zavala building

Photo of author Carmen Lopez Garza signing books on the front porch of the Lorenzo de Zavala building

Photo of author Pat Mora speaking to the crowd from the front porch of the Lorenzo de Zavala building

Photo of authors Sarah Bird, Carmen Lopez Garza, and Pat Mora standing on the front porch of the Lorenzo de Zavala building

Photo of the audience sitting under a canopy in front of the Lorenzo de Zavala building

See more photos of the event on the Texas Center for the Book Kickoff Flickr Photostream

ABOUT THE TEXAS CENTER FOR THE BOOK

Established in 1987, the Center for the Book seeks to stimulate public interest in books, reading, literacy and libraries. The Center builds partnerships with library professionals, educators, authors, publishers and booksellers who provide support to our shared mission of promoting a love of literature throughout the Lone Star State.

One of 50 state centers affiliated with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, the Texas Center for the Book is under the direction of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission at the Lorenzo De Zavala State Archives and Library Building in Austin, Texas.

THE TEXAS CENTER FOR THE BOOK SPONSORS:

Special exhibits
Literary programs
Creative writing contests
Lectures and symposia
Publications

THE TEXAS CENTER PROMOTES:

The educational and cultural role of the book
The history of books and printing
Authorship and writing
Libraries
Publishing and preservation of books
Reading and literacy

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Texas Center for the Book at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission invites you to join in its mission of working with organizations and individuals across the state to develop and increase public appreciation of, and support for books, reading and libraries.

Telephone: (512) 936-2505
Email: rmanley@tsl.texas.gov [Texas Center for the Book]
Address: 1201 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701