Texas State Library and Archives Commission

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) refers to the state government agency in the state of Texas that supports the reading, learning, and historical preservation needs of Texas and its people. The agency is charged with preserving the archival record of Texas, supporting research, and making primary resources available to the public; assisting public, academic, and school libraries across the state in meeting the needs of their communities and students; helping public agencies maintain their public records; and supporting the reading needs of thousands of Texans with disabilities preventing them from reading a standard book.^[1]

The Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building, located at 1201 Brazos Street in the Capitol Complex in Downtown Austin, houses the State Archives, a library reference collection, two public reading rooms for researchers, a lobby exhibit gallery, and administrative offices.^[2]

The State Records Center and Talking Book Circulation Department, located in north central Austin, houses the State and Local Records Management Division and the Talking Book Program Division's circulation department; the State Records Center Annex at Promontory Point in Austin provides additional storage space for state and local records; and the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center, located near Liberty, Texas, preserves records from the Southeast Texas Atascosito region, hosts researchers in its library and research room, and houses a museum about the region featuring permanent historical exhibits and rotating items from its collections.

The current Texas State Librarian is Gloria Meraz, appointed by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission on August 27, 2021. Meraz is the first person of color and first Hispanic woman to serve as State Librarian of Texas since the position was created in 1909. She succeeded previous Texas State Librarian, Mark Smith.^[3]