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(Identify the item and cite the series), Records, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
The Texas State Library began as the National Library of Texas. In
1839, under President Mirabeau B. Lamar, the Third Congress appropriated
$10,000 for books to be housed in the office of the Secretary of State. The
first purchase of this appropriation was $300 paid to Ashbel Smith for his
During the remainder of the Republic period and until after the Civil War, an occasional appropriation was made for book purchases and document exchanges. Then, in 1866, the office of State Librarian was created at $1,000 a year. Robert Josselyn was appointed Librarian and catalogued the 5,427 books in the Library before being removed from office, along with the rest of the state government's officers, as an impediment to Reconstruction. The Library remained under the Secretary of State until 1876 when it was transferred to the new Department of Insurance, Statistics, and History. One of the duties of the State Library in its new setting was to serve as a depository for historical materials.
In 1881, the Capitol burned and the Library's 8,000 volumes were lost. Since most of the state's records were still in the custody of the creating agencies or stored in vaults, the loss of archival material was not great.
The Library began to move forward again in 1891 when the 22nd Legislature appropriated $1,500 for a Historical Clerk and $360 for a Librarian and Office Assistant. Governor James Hogg appointed Cadwell W. Raines as Historical Clerk. He began his duties May 5, 1891 and actively collected historical materials throughout the state. Although appropriations were reduced each biennium, the State Library had 25,000 volumes in 1901.
The modern history of the Texas State Library begins with the creation of the Texas Library and Historical Commission in 1909 by the 31st Legislature. The Commission was charged with the control and administration of the State Library whose functions would include historical work, legislative reference, and encouragement of library development in Texas. E. W. Winkler was appointed State Librarian at the Commission's first meeting, March 29, 1909.
Gradually, all the Commission's mandates have been addressed. Historical work began with Raines in 1891. Legislative reference formally got under way in 1910 with the appointment of a Legislative Reference Librarian. In 1916, the Library offered twelve different traveling libraries to communities in Texas to concretely demonstrate the value of libraries. In 1917, an effective county library law was passed; and, in 1920, the first county library was established. In 1927, the position of Library Organizer was created by the Legislature. Books for the blind were available through the Library in 1919.
An estimate of the Library's holdings in 1931 specifies 88,800 bound volumes, 85,000 pamphlets, and 85,000 manuscripts. The Depression was a time of salary reductions, little book buying, and curtailed extension activity.
Following World War II, the State Library entered a period of expansion to meet the increasing demands placed on it by the public and by state government. The Library responded with greatly increased budget requests for new programs to meet these needs.
In 1956, the Archives Division was forced by the crowded conditions in the Capitol Complex to move to a quonset hut at Camp Hubbard. The Library and its friends had long been seeking a separate and appropriate building for the Archives and Library, and the move to the quonset hut was a rallying point. Funds were appropriated in 1957 and the Library moved to the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building in 1961.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is governed by the Library and Archives Commission (Vernon's Ann. Civ. St., Article 5434 (1925, originally created in 1909 as the Texas State Library and Historical Commission)). Commission members are appointed by the Governor, 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 agency. Duties of the State Librarian and Director are to record the proceedings of the Commission and keep account of its financial transactions; approve expenditures made in connection with the State Library; have charge of the State Library and materials contained therein; demand and collect records of state agencies and officials not connected to their current duties; endeavor to collect manuscript records in the hands of private individuals; procure archives of the state which have been removed, including those found in Mexico and other states; preserve historical relics and memorabilia which come into possession of the State Library; give proper attention to the care and availability of the archives in custody of the State Library; make a biennial report to the Governor; and ascertain the condition of all public libraries in the state and report the results to the Commission. Additionally, he is authorized by law to transfer, dispose, or otherwise destroy records in his custody which have no permanent value.
The State Librarian and Director oversees the operations of the divisions in the State Library through which his duties and responsibilities are carried out. Divisions as of 1984 were Administration (includes offices of the State Librarian, Assistant State Librarian, and publications), Administrative Services (includes personnel, accounting, building services, purchasing, and a print shop), Archives (administers the permanently valuable official records of the state and related historical materials), Data Processing (provides computer operations and assistance to the divisions), Blind and Physically Handicapped (provides materials for blind and disabled patrons), Information Services (includes genealogy, reference, U.S. and Texas documents programs, and technical services), Library Development (works with public libraries to secure funding, etc.), Local Records (operates a depository program for county records), and Records Management (provides records management assistance to state agencies and ensures records are sent to the Archives for permanent storage or are disposed of due to a non-permanent value).
By 1995, the divisions had been condensed into Administrative Services, Automated Information Systems, the Talking Book Program (providing services to all disabled Texans), Archives and Information Services (combining the majority of the old programs of the Archives and the Information Services and managing Regional Historical Resource Depositories), Technical Services (responsible for acquisitions, cataloging, processing and binding of library materials), Statewide Library Development (to promote and improve Texas libraries), and State and Local Records Management. Since 1995, the Executive Office has been the unit incorporating the Public Information Office and the offices of the Assistant Librarian and the Director and Librarian.
The State Librarian through the years has served on various state boards and committees, sometimes appointed, sometimes as an ex-officio member, such as the Board of Library Examiners and the Sesquicentennial Commission; and s/he has been involved with legislation affecting public libraries in Texas, including the Library Systems Act and the Library Services and Construction Act. S/He has also worked to secure grant funding from several sources for public libraries and various programs within the State Library, such as the Blind and Physically Handicapped program. S/He has also served in varying capacities (committees, boards, etc.) with a number of library/historical groups, including the Texas Library Association, the Texas State Historical Association, the Society of American Archivists, and others. The Librarian also makes presentations to groups such as these, to smaller organizations (such as county-wide groups), and to public libraries.
Records of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission include minutes, correspondence, reports, printed materials, accession books, catalogs, financial materials, photographs, blueprints, and a phonograph record. Dates covered are 1857-1979, undated. The Library was under the administration of other agencies until its independence in 1909. Early records are scant and consist of a few catalogs of books and government documents, lists of archives and historical manuscripts and artifacts, book orders, and some notes regarding expenditures. In 1909, the Library set up its own files. The records of three State Librarians -- Klaerner, West, and Rogan, 1915-1927 -- are minimal. Even with these gaps, the records of the Texas State Library do document its history and its functions through evolving policy and procedures, increasing complexity of administration and duties, and its relations with state government and the public. The records also show the growth of libraries and state government in general.
These records are organized into ten series:
Carolyn V. Majewski
Accession number: 1980/219
The records of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission have always been in the custody of the agency.
The records of the Texas State Library and Historical Commission are primarily minutes and correspondence from 1909 to 1979. The Texas State Library and Historical Commission was created by the 31st Legislature in 1909 to govern and administer the Texas State Library. Its six members are appointed by the Governor for six-year terms. The Commission appoints the State Librarian who also serves as its secretary. The degree to which the Commission has involved itself in the affairs of the Library has varied with its changing membership.
These records are organized into three subseries:
(Identify the item and cite the subseries), Texas Library and Historical Commission, Records, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
This correspondence is generally between the State Librarian and
the commissioners. Also included is some correspondence between commissioners,
a few drafts and final copies of minutes, and correspondence with persons
outside the Commission or Library. Dates covered are 1909-1911 and 1925-1968.
See also
These records are arranged chronologically.
Generally, this correspondence is between the State Librarian
and the Commissioner although there is other correspondence. Dates covered are
1909-1911 and 1925-1968. The difference between this subseries and the
These records are arranged alphabetically by commissioner and then chronologically.
These records are correspondence subject files of the State
Library, including correspondence, reports, budget materials, and inventories.
The files in this series date from 1909, the creation of the Texas Library and
Historical Commission, to 1976. The records of some of the earlier Librarians
(Klaerner, West, Rogan) are almost nonexistent. The same gap appears in the
Texas Library and Historical Commission subseries
The files of the Texas State Library and Historical Commission were originally arranged in vaguely chronological and/or alphabetical groups with only occasional subject folders. To make the materials accessible for research, a subject arrangement was imposed.
Because of the original arrangement of these records, materials regarding some subjects are scattered. The researcher is cautioned to check every folder that is in any way related to the topic under investigation. For example, material related to the Library's budget request may be found with the Texas Library and Historical Commission series, and in this series in folders labeled Budget, Legislative Files, and Deficiency Applications.
These records are arranged alphabetically by folder title and then chronologically.
(Identify the item), Correspondence and subject files, Records, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
These records are correspondence and subject files, containing
correspondence, reports, clippings, programs, minutes, press releases, etc.,
dating 1902-1973. Topics discussed include development of and aid to public
libraries, construction of the State Archives and Library Building,
certification of county librarians, interaction with the Texas Library
Association, and WPA projects and libraries in Texas. These files were removed
from the
These records are organized into seven subseries:
(Identify the item and cite the subseries), Special correspondence and subject files, Records, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Records in this series include correspondence, applications,
subject files, circulation records of traveling libraries, and travel expense
accounts, dating 1905-1960. Correspondence in these records may be between the
county librarians and the State Librarian or Extension Director; between the
Division and county residents interested in organizing a library or seeking
advice on running a library; between the State Librarian and/or Extension
Director and county librarians, community residents, friends groups,
legislators, and librarians.The function of the Extension Division was to aid
and encourage the development of libraries in Texas. The name of the Division
changed many times, but since Extension was used longest during the period
covered by the files, it is used here. The mandate of the Extension Division
has always been one of the central goals of the Texas State Library under the
Texas Library and Historical Commission, however the Division experienced many
different levels of support. The files reflect this and also the interest in
library development in Texas by persons outside the Library or Commission. A
series of letters of interest in the subject files are the letters re: Service
to Negroes. See also
The records of the Extension Division were filed four different ways; that system has been maintained in the following series:
The records are correspondence between county librarians and
the State Librarian or the Extension Director, mostly the former;
correspondence with county residents interested in organizing a library or
seeking advice on running a library; applications, letters of inquiry, etc.,
regarding positions as county librarians. The records date from 1914 to 1952,
the bulk dating from 1928 to 1946. A few city libraries are included in these
files. See also
These records are arranged alphabetically by county and then chronologically.
These are the correspondence files of the State Librarian and
the Extension Director with county librarians, community residents, friends
groups, legislators, and librarians. The records date from 1905 to 1960, the
bulk dating 1928 to 1945. The 1960 file has correspondence on the consolidation
of the Rural Library Service with the Extension Division. See also
These records are arranged chronologically.
The most notable of the subject files in this series (dating from 1928 to 1953) is Service to Negroes.
These records are arranged in alphabetical order by folder title.
These logs are the circulation records of the various traveling libraries for 1916 to 1939 and undated.
Records in this series consist of correspondence, reports, and manuals, dating 1957-1972. This is the State Librarian's copy of the Division's outgoing letters to community residents and librarians to establish service and to continue service; corrspondence with bookmobile staff; and correspondence with librarians across the county. Reports include the state library plan, progress reports, and field consultant's service reports. Manuals consist of the field consultants manuals and the bookmobile manual. The Texas Rural Library Service was a separate division set up in response to the Library Services Act of 1956 to develop and extend library services in rural areas, especially bookmobile demonstrations. It was never a part of the Extension Division. About 1963 its name was changed to the Field Services Division.
These records are organized into three groups:
These records are the State Librarian's copy of the Division's outgoing letters to community residents and librarians to establish service and to continue service; correspondence with bookmobile staff; and, correspondence with librarians across the county. The correspondence dates from July 1957 to September 1958.
These records are arranged alphabetically by correspondent's initial and then chronologically.
Records consist of correspondence, press releases, clippings, statements of need, proposals, specifications, and other materials, dating 1928-1965. These files document the movements to build a separate archives and/or library building or get more suitable facilities, and, of course, the planning, construction, and move to the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building.
See also
These records are organized into four subseries:
These records consist of correspondence, press releases, clips, statements of need, proposals, other archives buildings, and material on the final efforts for and actual construction of the State Archives and Library Building. The records date from 1928 to 1961.
These files, dating from 1958 to 1962, have been retained as found and refer to the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building.
Types of records present include clippings, speeches, statements, articles, press releases, publications, and scrapbooks, dating 1909-1973. Topics covered include the functioning of the Texas State Library, and the Governor's Conference on Libraries, 1965-1966.
These records are organized into three groups:
These records are arranged chronologically.
These clippings were removed from two ring binders and placed in 25 numbered folders that retain the loose subject and date arrangement of the binders.
Records consist of minutes; correspondence of board members, candidates, and others; test scores; examinations - drafts, final forms, keys; and the rules and regulations of the Board and of other states regarding certification of county librarians. Dates covered are 1914-1953. The State Librarian serves as the chair of the State Board of Library Examiners whose function is to certify county librarians, to write and hold examinations and issue certificates, and to establish other rules and regulations.
These records are organized into three groups:
Correspondence of board members, candidates, and others; examinations - drafts, final forms, keys; and, other forms.
These records are rules and regulations of other states regarding certification of librarians.