Austin, TX – The Texas Center for the Book is delighted to announce its Texas Great Read titles for 2026. The Center has chosen Hank the Cowdog #83: The Case of the Poison Toad by John R. Erickson as the 2026 Texas Great Read Youth Selection. Small Town Author, also by Erickson, is the 2026 Texas Great Read Adult Selection.

Erickson is the beloved author of the Hank the Cowdog series, which has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. They are many young readers’ first chapter books. Small Town Author, published by Texas Tech University Press, is Erickson’s autobiography and shares his journ

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Austin, TX – Join the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) on Saturday, June 13, for a celebration of Flag Day! A full day of special events focused on Texas history is scheduled at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building, next door to the Capitol in downtown Austin. On display from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. will be one of the rarest—and largest!—flags in the States Archives’ collection, a 28-star U.S. flag that served as the national flag from July 4, 1846, until July 4, 1847.

Curious about how Texas became the 28th state? Texas State Histori

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Austin, TX – The Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB) invites nominations for its 2026 Archival Awards. THRAB grants awards in the categories of excellence, advocacy and distinguished service.

The Archival Award of Excellence honors archival institutions and individuals in Texas who have made significant achievements in preserving and improving access to historical records in any format.

The Advocacy for Archives Award acknowledges an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to ensure the preservation and availability of Texas’s historica

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Liberty, TX – The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center (SHC), part of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC), will host a special event on World War I and Southeast Texas on Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m.

Come join SHC staff in honoring fallen military personnel the week of Memorial Day when guest speaker Stephen Cure will explore the role of Southeast Texas in World War I, providing insight into the war, its impact on Southeast Texas, the experiences of those who lived it and how it has been commemorated. Cure is the author of A Centennial Perspect

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Austin, TX
April 17, 2026

Austin, TX – At its meeting in Austin on Friday, April 17, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) recognized the contributions of retiring Commissioner David C. Garza of Brownsville and Commissioner Bradley S. “Brad” Tegeler of Brenham with commemorative resolutions.

Chair Martha Wong noted the longstanding service of Garza and Tegeler, highlighting “their contribution of their expertise and time in supporting the educational needs of Texans and the overall work of the agency. It was a great pleasure to work with them both in steerin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAustin, TX – The Office of the Governor has announced the appointment of Commissioners Monte L. Monroe, PhD, and Norma C. “Leslie” Recine to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC), effective Monday, March 30.Both have been appointed to full terms. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is the governing board of the agency with which it shares a name. The Commission ensures that the agency effectively and conscientiously pursues its mission to provide citizens access to the information they need to lead informed, productive and fulfilled lives. Com

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Austin, TX – The Texas Center for the Book at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is pleased to host a 50-minute showing of excerpts from Ken Burns' film The American Revolution, focusing on military history, on Wednesday, April 29, at 12:00 noon at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building, 1201 Brazos St. in Austin. This event is free and open to the public.

Attendees are encouraged to register online at https://forms.office.com/r/ipWmF2G4YW.

About The American Revolution documentary“Thirteen American colonies unite in rebellion, win an

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Liberty, TX – Interested in a casual conversation about books with a friendly group? The SHC Quarterly Book Club will meet April 28 at the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center (SHC) to discuss the intriguing novel The Stolen Queen by bestselling author Fiona Davis. Join us for this fun, free and informal gathering of readers from 6 – 7 p.m. No membership or registration is required.

We are also pleased to announce as part of our Texas America250 programming, a new book drive to support our military and veterans. The SHC Quarterly Book Club has partnered with Ope

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Austin, TX – The Texas Center for the Book, under the direction of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, is delighted to announce the winners of the 2025-2026 Letters About Literature Texas contest, a statewide competition sponsored by the Texas Library and Archives Foundation.

In Letters About Literature, students read a book, poem, short story or other written work and write a letter to an author—living or dead—explaining how his or her work changed their view of themselves or the world.

More than a thousand students entered from across the state, the highest nu

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Liberty, TX – The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center (SHC) presents its third annual Family History Day with presentations and hands-on help from the Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution (TXDAR) on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come learn about the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), why women join and how DAR resources can help both men and women uncover overlooked patriots. You may have one or more Revolutionary patriots in your family, and this session will walk you through the resources available that help you explore yo