The Director and Librarian of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission oversees the operations of that agency's divisions through which his/her duties and responsibilities are carried out. The 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. The Librarian has also been involved with legislation affecting public libraries in Texas, including the Library Systems Act and the Library Services and Construction Act. The Librarian 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. During the time period covered by these records the State Librarians were Dr. Dorman Winfrey, William D. Gooch, and Dr. Robert S. Martin.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission was created in 1909 (House Bill 142, 31st Legislature, Regular Session) and is governed by Chapter 441 of the Government Code, V.T.C.A. (previously Vernon's Ann. Civ. St., Article 5434). Commission members are appointed by the Governor, with concurrence of the Senate, to six-year overlapping terms. The Commission appoints the Director and Librarian who serves as the executive officer of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission as well as the executive and administrative officer of the Commission's governing board. Duties of the Director and Librarian 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, s/he is authorized by law to transfer, dispose of, or otherwise destroy records in his/her custody that have no permanent value.
As of 1984, divisions were Administration (including offices of the Librarian, Assistant Librarian, and publications), Administrative Services (including personnel, accounting, building services, purchasing, and a print shop), Archives (administering the permanently valuable official records of the state and related historical materials), Data Processing (providing computer operations and assistance to the divisions), Blind and Physically Handicapped (providing materials for blind and disabled patrons), Information Services (including genealogy, reference, U.S. and Texas documents programs, and technical services), Library Development (working with public libraries to secure funding, etc.), Local Records (operating a depository program for county records), and Records Management (storing official records of the state until they are transferred 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 a somewhat independent unit, incorporating the Public Information Office and the offices of the Assistant Librarian and the Director and Librarian.
(Sources include: the enabling legislation, 1909; Chapter 441 of the Government Code, V.T.C.A.; and the records themselves.)
From the guide to the State Library and Archives Commission Director and Librarian's records, 1939-1999, bulk 1962-1995, (Repository Unknown)
