Texas State Library and Archives Commission TSLAC State Archives

Overview

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is a state agency established in 1909 that serves as the official library and archives of Texas. Its Archives and Information Services (ARIS) division preserves and provides public access to the permanently valuable official records of Texas government and other historically significant resources.

History and Founding

The roots of a state library for Texas trace back to 1839, when the Republic of Texas established a national library. The current agency was formally created in 1909 by the Texas Legislature (House Bill 142, 31st Legislature), originally as the Texas State Library and Historical Commission. The present building—named for Lorenzo de Zavala and constructed from the same sunset red granite quarried for the Texas State Capitol—was dedicated on April 10, 1962. In 2009, TSLAC celebrated its centennial and was designated a National Literary Landmark in a ceremony with former First Lady Laura Bush. In 2021, Gloria Meraz was appointed State Librarian, becoming the first person of color and first Hispanic woman to hold the position since it was created in 1909.

Collections and Holdings

The State Archives holds more than 200 million pages of archival documents and over two million volumes of printed library materials. Holdings include archival government records dating from the 18th century through the present, Texas newspapers from colonial times to the present (the largest such collection in the state), journals, books, manuscripts, photographs, historical maps, fire insurance maps, and the Texas Digital Archive. Notable collections include the first Texas Constitution, Republic of Texas records (1835–1846), Confederate pension applications, Texas Senate recordings (1972–2006), and the Nacogdoches Archives of Spanish and Mexican government records from 1729 to 1836. The agency also maintains extensive genealogical microfilm holdings for 22 Texas counties.

Relevance to Journalism and Media Research

TSLAC's newspaper collections are among the most significant in Texas, including original print and microfilmed papers such as the Harrison Flag, Neu-Braunfelser Zeitung, Home and State (a temperance publication), Alpine Avalanche, and Amarillo Daily News. These holdings document more than two centuries of Texas journalism. The agency also participates in the Portal to Texas History, which provides online access to digitized newspaper issues and other historical materials.

Access and Usage

The reading room in Austin is open Tuesday through Saturday. Online access is available through the Texas Digital Archive (TDA) and the TARO finding aid system. The agency serves researchers in person at its Lorenzo de Zavala Building and remotely through its websites. Many finding aids are available through TARO at txarchives.org.