H.R. No. 848
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, For 100 years, the people of Texas have benefited
from the outstanding materials and resources of the Texas State
Library and Archives Commission; and
WHEREAS, On March 19, 1909, a bill was signed into law by
Governor Thomas M. Campbell that officially established the
commission for the purpose of aiding and encouraging public
libraries and collecting materials related to Texas history; in
addition to books, the agency houses thousands of government
records, private papers, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and other
materials that document the history and cultural heritage of the
state; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of its director, Peggy D. Rudd,
the agency conducts its important work through five major divisions
and programs; the archives and information services division
collects and preserves valuable government records and provides
reference services for the Texas State Archives, the Genealogy
Collection, and the Reference/Documents Collection; the agency's
library development division supports the 540 public libraries and
10 regional public library systems across the state and provides
continuing education to library professionals; the library
resource sharing division oversees services that provide
information and library materials through networks of Texas
libraries and through Internet resources such as TexShare and
TexNet Interlibrary Loan; the state and local records management
division supports Texas state agencies and local governments in
their efforts to comply with records management laws and provides
training and consulting services to nearly 9,000 Texas local
governments; TSLAC is further distinguished by the Talking Book
Program, which provides thousands of Texans who are unable to read
standard print with free access to more than 80,000 titles in audio,
large print, and Braille formats; and
WHEREAS, The agency's home since the early 1960s, the Lorenzo
de Zavala State Archives and Library Building, is currently
undergoing a $15.5 million renovation to update its infrastructure
and to improve the quality of public and staff spaces; moreover, a
capital campaign is under way to fund an additional $10 million for
specialized library and conservation equipment, as well as for
compact archival shelving that will allow the library to
accommodate its growing archival collection; and
WHEREAS, TSLAC headquarters are augmented by the Sam Houston
Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty on a site donated by
former governor Price Daniel and his wife, Jean; the center
features exhibits on a variety of Southeast Texas topics and houses
a number of special collections; and
WHEREAS, Since its founding, the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission has upheld its mission to safeguard and make
accessible historically significant records and resources and to
provide information services that inspire and support research,
education, and reading, and it is indeed fitting to honor this
venerable institution for a century of service to the Lone Star
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Texas
State Library and Archives Commission and extend sincere best
wishes for continued success to the agency's commissioners and
staff; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission as an
expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
Howard of Travis
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 848 was adopted by the House on March
19, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House