Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Welcome to the Texas State Library and Archives! Mark Smith, Director and Librarian While there has been an official library and archives of the state of Texas since the days of the Republic, our agency was officially formed in 1909. For over a century, our mission has been to ensure that citizens have access to the information they need to lead informed, productive, and fulfilled lives. We accomplish this mission through four main areas: Preserving the archival record of Texas (Archives and Information Services) Enhancing the service capacity of Texas public, academic, and school libraries (Library Development and Networking) Assisting public agencies in the maintenance of their records (State and Local Records Management) Meeting the reading needs of Texans with disabilities (Talking Book Program) We live in an information-based economy and the continued success of the state depends on the access to information that is provided through these four programs for virtually every citizen in the state of Texas regardless of age, geographic location, or physical ability. As we move into the digital age, all our programs are moving to increasingly digital content, including the creation of the Texas Digital Archive as a repository of state government information in electronic format; the immensely popular TexShare and TexQuest programs bringing digital content to virtually every citizen of the state through their libraries; and the rising use of digital recorded books by patrons of our Talking Book Program. We hope you visit our website often to discover the many services we offer and the treasures we preserve and make available. And visit us in person as well whenever you are in Austin or Liberty. About Our Commission The "Texas State Library and Archives Commission" is both the official name of the agency and the name of its governing board. The seven members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor, who also designates a chair, and are confirmed by the Texas Senate. Commissioners serve staggered six-year terms; terms begin September 1 of odd-numbered years, following each session of the Texas Legislature. Over the nine decades of the Commission's existence, its members have included both celebrated Texas political and civic leaders and ordinary citizens distinguished by their love of and commitment to libraries. Duties of the Commission include: - Appointment and supervision of the Director and Librarian and Assistant State Librarian; - Review and approval of the State Library's strategic plans, appropriations requests, operating budgets, internal audit documents, employment and management policies, and the like; - Review and adoption of rules for administering the State Library's legislative mandates - for example, grant programs, standards for library accreditation, records management rules and schedules, and customer service policies. The Commission generally meets five times per year, usually in Austin at the Lorenzo de Zavala Building, the State Library's headquarters in the Capitol Complex. Citizens are always invited to attend meetings, address the Commission, or review the minutes of prior meetings or the agendas of upcoming ones. (The latter are published in the Texas Register, along with the proposed text of rules to be reviewed, at least two weeks prior.)