Before You Visit
This information is intended for visitors to the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center at 650 FM 1011 in Liberty, Texas. If you plan to visit to conduct research, please also review the Guidelines for Patrons using our reading room.
Hours | Location and Directions | Parking | Resources | Museum and Building Tours | Sign In and Registration | Lockers | Photocopies and Scanning | Food and Drink
Hours
The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center is closed most Federal holidays. For information on known closures, please see our agency calendar online at:
https://www.tsl.texas.gov/calendar/agency.html
The Center is open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please be aware of the following time schedules:
- 4:45 p.m.: Computers and Microfilm equipment shut off
- Archival materials collected and removed from the reading room
In addition, the Center is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please be aware of the following time schedules:
- 3:45 p.m.: Computers and Microfilm equipment shut off
- Archival materials collected and removed from the reading room
Location and Directions
The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center is located at 650 FM 1011 in Liberty, Texas. Please see our home page for directions.
Parking
Free parking is available adjacent to the building. Two handicapped parking spaces are located by the side entrance, which includes a handicap accessible doorway.
Resources
In preparation for a visit to conduct research, you may wish to search the online library catalog and/or the online descriptive guides for available resources. As only a small portion of the Center's collection is described online, we also recommend calling to speak to a staff member about research topics prior to visiting in order to help identify and prepare appropriate archival materials. A request for archival materials may involve a delay in reviewing materials for information from public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act and other statutes.
For more information, please contact staff at 936-336-8821 or by email at SamHoustonCenter@tsl.texas.gov.
Records of the legislative and executive branches of the state government and local government records held by the State Archives are subject to the provisions of Chapter 552 of the Texas Government code, also known as the Public Information Act. The Act makes records open for research with certain exceptions. The Texas Office of the Attorney General publishes its Public Information Act Handbook biennially, as a guide to understanding the Act.
For additional information, please review our page Texas Public Information Act and Research in the State Archives.
To submit a Public Information Act request to the Texas State Archives, please view our page The Public Information Act.
Museum and Building Tours
The museum is open during regular business hours. No reservation is required to view the museum's exhibits. Groups wishing to recieve a guided tour must schedule an appointment at least two weeks in advance.
Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the exterior of the Center's historic buildings and the Jean and Price Daniel Home and Archives during regular business hours. Tours of the interior of buildings are guided by staff and must be reserved at least two weeks in advance. Individuals and groups interested in a guided tour should not that it requires navigation of stairways and extended periods of walking and standing. Due to most of the buildings only being accessible via uncovered walkways, tours may have to be cancelled due to inclement weather. If you need to cancel your scheduled tour, we ask that you provide twenty-four hour notice. Tours cancelled without any notice may not be rescheduled.
Sign In and Registration
All visitors to the reading room or museum must sign in at the front desk in the lobby. Researchers visiting the reading room will also be required to complete a registration form, agree to abide by all guidelines related to handling of materials, and present a valid photo identification and proof of current address. Please allow approximately ten minutes for this process. All cell phones and beepers should be turned off or silenced while in the reading room or museum. Cell phone calls may be made and received in the lobby.
Visitors of all ages are welcome to view the museum and tour the buildings on the Center's grounds. Researchers between the ages of 13 and 16 are permitted to use the materials in the reading room if supervised by an adult. One adult per juvenile researcher is required. Children age 12 and under are not admitted unless they are participating in escorted group presentations.
Lockers
We request that visitors to the reading room place belongings in lockers located in a small room adjoining the reading room. These free lockers are secured by individual keys for the privacy and safety of your belongings. The interior dimensions of the lockers are 16" deep and 14.5" wide and can accomodate items of up to 29" in length. Staff are unable to monitor items that will not fit in the available lockers, soo please plan accordingly.
Briefcases, computer cases, rolling bags, luggage, backpacks, camera bags, large purses, fanny packs, parcels, musical instrument cases, shopping bags, hats, coats, rain gear, sunglasses, personal books, notepads, notebooks, etc. must be placed in a locker. Any garment later removed must also be placed in a locker. Loose sheets of paper and pencils must be used to take written notes. Patrons are responsible for locker keys and, if needed, a fee will be charged for replacement.
Photocopies and Scanning
Staff are able to make photocopies of most print and bound materials upon request. Some exceptions exist due to factors including size and condition. Staff will determine an item's suitability for photocopying. Copy fees are $.10 per 8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14 page and $.50 per 11" x 17" page.
We may or may not be able to meet all of your copy needs on the day of your visit. We handle requests in the order they are received and are usually able to provide same-day turnaround for copy requests of 25 or fewer pages.
If your copies are to be mailed to you, the total charge will include the cost of postage. We accept cash, personal checks, and money orders for payments.
The microform readers allow users to print images or save scanned images to a personal USB drive. The charge for print outs is $.10 per page. There is no charge for saving scanned images to a USB drive.
While we do not provide scan services, researchers may take non-flash photographs of most archival material with personal cameras, cell phones or other devices with cameras. Personal scanners, however, are not permitted.
Personal laptops may be used if operating on battery power. Power cords are not used at reading room tables in order too prevent the obstruction of pathways and presence of tripping hazards. Depending upon availablity of a computer carrel, staff my be able to provide an electric outlet for recharging laptop batteries.
Food and Drink
The Center has a water fountain but no snack or beverage vending machines.
In the interest of protecting our valuable resources, the consumption of food and beverages cannot be permitted in the reading room, museum, or lobby. There is no public lounge for consumption of food and beverages. When not occupied, the Center's classroom can be used for this purpose. However, please keep in mind that the classroom is often in use for meetings and special events, and staff cannot refrigerate or otherwise store food and beverages intended for consumption. As a result, it is recommended that visitors planning to be at the Center for an extended period of time make arrangements to eat at a nearby restaurant.