Constellation Similarity Assertions

The modern history of the Texas State Library begins with the creation of the Texas Library and Historical Commission in 1909 (House Bill 142, 31st Texas Legislature, Regular Session). 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 Cadwell Walton Raines in 1891, who as State Librarian began to rebuild the State Library's holdings, destroyed by the Capitol fire in 1881. 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. Books for the blind were available through the Library in 1919.

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