The Texas State Library began in 1839 as the National Library of the Republic of Texas (Joint Resolution, 3rd Congress of the Republic of Texas, approved January 24, 1839) with an appropriation of $10,000 for books to be housed in the Secretary of State's office. In 1866 the office of State Librarian was created (An Act creating the office of State Librarian, 11th Legislature, Regular Session, approved October 24, 1866), but the Library remained under the Secretary of State until 1876, when it was transferred to the new Department of Insurance, Statistics, and History (An Act to create the Department of Insurance, Statistics, and History, 15th Legislature, Regular Session, approved August 21, 1876). One of the Library's new duties under this Department was to serve as a depository for historical materials. Finally, the modern Texas Library and Historical Commission was created in 1909 (House Bill 142, 31st Legislature, Regular Session, 1909) and is governed by Chapter 441 of the Government Code, V.T.C.A. In 1979 the name was changed to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (House Bill 1429, 66th Legislature, Regular Session, 1979). The Governor appoints the six Commission members, with concurrence of the Senate, to six-year overlapping terms. The Commission appoints the State Librarian and Director who serves as the executive officer of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission as well as the executive and administrative officer of the Commission's governing board.

The Commission's mandate is to aid and encourage the development of, and cooperation among, all types of libraries and to establish and operate the Texas Library System. The Commission accredits libraries as members of the system, coordinates library services throughout the state, certifies county librarians, and administers federal aid to construct libraries, encourage resource sharing among libraries, and improve public library services to disadvantaged or institutionalized people. It also collects, preserves, and makes available state archival materials; provides a program of records management for state and local governments; establishes and maintains a network of regional historical resource depositories; collects, organizes, and distributes state government publications; makes available federal government publications; provides library services to blind and physically handicapped citizens and to citizens researching family histories; and provides information services to state government officials and employees. As a part of the agency's Sunset legislation, the 74th Legislature, in 1995, added a requirement that the library develop an index of state agency's publications available on-line and provide access to state agency electronic publications in cooperation with other state agencies (House Bill 366, 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995). The Commission is currently organized into an Executive Office and eight divisions, specifically: Archives and Information Services, State and Local Records Management, the Talking Book Program, Library Resource Sharing, Administrative Services, Library Development, Information Resource Technologies, and Technical Services.

The Publications Office has, at various times, operated under the Administrative Division and the Executive Office of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Until the arrival of Director and Librarian Dr. Robert S. Martin, in the spring of 1995, the Office was a part of the Administrative Division. After his arrival, the Office became part of the Executive Office and its name was changed to the Public Information Office. Responsibilities of the Public Information Office include producing press releases, biennial reports, strategic plans, the TRAILS newsletter, and various exhibits, in addition to acting as the liaison to the Texas Book Festival and the Governor's Office.