Celebrate National Library Week with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission

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The Texas State Library Archives Commission (TSLAC) in downtown Austin offers library collections and resources to the general public on weekdays and the second Saturday of each month. Perhaps known more for its archival documents and records from Texas history, TSLAC also manages an extensive collection of library materials with a team of reference librarians on staff ready to assist patrons.

The agency dates back to 1909 when the library was located in the Texas State Capitol. Books, newspapers, paintings, and artifacts were a part of the State Library and visible in the photographs below. (The Texas State Archives was a division of the library and housed in the basement.)

State Library Room about February 10, 1909. Before new shelving was installed. Prints and Photographs collection,1/103-131.
Main Library from north window, 1915. Capitol. Prints and Photographs collection, 1/103-135.

The Texas State Library and Archives needed a separate building to properly store and provide access to the extensive collections and serve the growing populace in the twentieth century. Eventually, in 1959 Governor Price Daniel was able to coordinate with legislators and state agencies to oversee the construction of a new repository. Opening to the public in 1961, the Texas State Archives and Library Building (now the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building) was a prominent element in centralizing state facilities around the Capitol to create the Capitol Complex.

Texas State Archives and Library Building, about 1961. Prints and Photographs collection, 1/103-008.

TSLAC’s modern reading room now offers computer access to the library catalog, commercial and in-house databases, Texas newspapers, digital archives, and so much more.

Reference librarians staff our public services desk and are available to assist patrons in person, via email and telephone.
Visit the Reference Reading Room to explore library collections during the week and the second Saturday of each month.
Public computers provide access to the library catalog, newspaper databases, genealogy resources such as Ancestry, Family Search, and Fold3, plus the full range of TexShare resources.
Collections and services on offer at TSLAC. CLICK the image to download the flyer.

Contact our reference staff with inquiries about our resources at ref@tsl.texas.gov or 512-463-5455. Visit https://www.tsl.texas.gov/arc for online access and information.

One thought on “Celebrate National Library Week with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission”

  1. What a wonderful way to celebrate National Library Week! The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) in downtown Austin sounds like a treasure trove of resources for the public, offering not just archival documents and records from Texas history, but also an extensive collection of library materials. It’s impressive to learn about the agency’s long history dating back to 1909 and its evolution to meet the needs of a growing population, culminating in the construction of the Texas State Archives and Library Building in 1961. The modern reading room with its computer access to various databases and resources, along with the assistance of reference librarians, makes TSLAC a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring Texan history and culture. #NationalLibraryWeek #TexasHistory

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