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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

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Austin, TX – The Texas Library and Archives Foundation (TxLAF) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Texas State Library and Archives Commission Research Fellowship in Texas History, Bonnie Ernst and Andrew Graybill.

Bonnie Ernst, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Indiana University Bloomington and will conduct research at TSLAC in support of her project, “Black Women and Convict Leasing in the Jim Crow South.” Her research on Black women in Texas prisons at the turn of the twentieth century will shed light o

This event has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience.

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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 Texas suffragists on Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m.

Jessica Brannon-Wranosky, Distinguished Professor of Digital Humanities and History at East Texas A&M University, will share stories of Texas women who fought for the right to vote when she visits the Sam Houston Center. Her research on women’s suffrage has been f

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Austin, TX – The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is pleased to announce the 2026 Family Place Libraries™ Project Grant Recipients.

2026 Family Place Libraries™ Project Grant Recipients
Alpine Public Library
DeSoto Public Library
El Paso Public Library
Fort Bend County Libraries
Harrie P Woodson Memorial Library
Leander Public Library
Lena Armstrong Public Library
Lewisville Public Library
Little Elm Public Library
Midlothian Public Library
Montgomery County Memorial Library System

TSLAC initiated this project in 2015 to help public libraries address early learning w

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Austin, TX – Among the millions of items it collects and makes accessible to the public, the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library of the Dallas Public Library prominently displays some of the most treasured on its seventh floor. Two printed items in particular draw sustained interest from visitors. The first is an original copy of the United States Declaration of Independence printed on the night of July 4, 1776—one of only about 25 surviving copies. It’s the only original copy located west of the Mississippi. Nearby is an even older and equally beloved attraction: an original