Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The Texas State Legislature established the Texas State Library in 1839, with the goal of collecting and preserving Texas's historical documents, including those from the Republic of Texas and the Mexican War. The commission is responsible for maintaining the Texas State Archives, which houses documents from the Spanish Texas period, the Texas Revolution, and the American Civil War. The commission also works closely with the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress to preserve and provide access to historical documents.

● History

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has a rich history, dating back to the early days of the Republic of Texas. The library was established by an act of the Texas Congress in 1839, with Sam Houston serving as the first governor to support the library's development. During the American Civil War, the library's collections were moved to Houston, Texas, to protect them from Union Army forces. After the war, the library was rebuilt, and its collections were expanded to include documents from the Reconstruction era and the Indian Wars. The commission has also worked with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Sons of the Republic of Texas to preserve historical documents and artifacts related to the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.

● Organization

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is led by a commission of seven members, appointed by the Governor of Texas and confirmed by the Texas Senate. The commission is responsible for overseeing the Texas State Library and the Texas State Archives, as well as the Texas Library and Archives Foundation. The commission works closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Department of Information Resources to ensure the security and preservation of the state's historical documents. The commission also collaborates with the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and other institutions to provide access to historical documents and promote research and education.

● Collections

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission's collections include a wide range of historical documents, photographs, and artifacts related to Texas's history, including the Spanish Texas period, the Texas Revolution, and the American Civil War. The commission's collections also include documents from the Republic of Texas, the Mexican War, and the Indian Wars. The commission has worked with the National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution to preserve and provide access to historical documents and artifacts related to the Alamo and other historic sites in Texas. The commission's collections also include documents from notable Texans, such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, and George H.W. Bush.

● Services

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides a range of services to the public, including research assistance, interlibrary loan services, and access to historical documents and artifacts. The commission also offers educational programs and workshops, in partnership with the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Historical Commission. The commission's services also include digitization of historical documents and artifacts, making them available online through the Texas Digital Library and the Internet Archive. The commission has worked with the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration to provide access to historical documents and promote research and education.

● Facilities

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with facilities located in the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building. The commission's facilities include a research room, a conservation lab, and a storage facility for historical documents and artifacts. The commission has also established partnerships with the University of Texas at Austin and the Texas State University to provide access to historical documents and artifacts through their libraries and archives. The commission's facilities are also used for educational programs and workshops, in partnership with the Texas Historical Commission and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The commission has worked with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to support the preservation and promotion of Texas's historical heritage. Category:Libraries in Texas