The Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives
and Library Building is open Monday — Friday, from 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
Renovation of the historic Lorenzo de
Zavala State Archives and Library Building is underway. We will
remain open for business during the renovation, but some services
and collections will be limited. Please call in advance so that
we can make your visit more fruitful. (512) 463-5455.
Friends of Libraries & Archives of Texas
are actively working to improve our facilities for the citizens
of Texas. Join in the fun;
visit our friends' site!
Please bookmark this renovation news page and
return frequently to get updates on how we are creating a twenty
first century research facility.
You may contact us at (512) 463-5455 or via email
We are renovating the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and
Library Building
We are currently in the middle of a $15.5 million renovation
of the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building,
the main base of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
The building is located in Austin, Texas, adjacent to the
Capitol complex.
When the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building
opened its doors in 1961, it was the epitome of modern design.
The granite, limestone, terrazzo, and bronze surfaces lent
opulence and a stature quite fitting to the priceless historical
treasures the building would house and protect. Unfortunately,
time didn't stop, nor did the aging of the building. Fast-forward
48 years. Until now, the once state-of-the-art building has
not undergone a single major renovation during the time it
has served millions of Texans and patrons.
Sorry for the inconveniences but we think you will be pleased
with the results
To protect the historical documents and government records
in our care, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
has moved much of its collections to secured off-site and
climate-controlled storage during the renovation. With advance
notice, the official state records of Texas that are stored
off-site can be retrieved for researchers. Unfortunately a
portion of our collection will be inaccessible during the
renovation process that is to be completed in 2010.
Service Impacts - Please call before you visit
We strongly recommend that patrons contact us before visiting
the library and archives to ensure that your visit will be
productive. As much as possible, we will assist patrons in
finding other sources for the items we cannot provide at this
time. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please call us at
(512) 463-5455 or email
ref@tsl.state.tx.us.
Due to the renovation, all scheduled notices regarding any
interruption in services or temporary closures will appear
on the TSLAC Web site front page. Due to the nature of construction
projects, dates are subject to change. Bookmark this page
for up-to-date information on the renovation to learn how
it will affect your research.
We apologize for the inconvenience but we know that you will
be pleased with the final result as we bring our building
into the 21st Century and create a modern research and archival
environment for the wonderful people of Texas.
Office Changes
The Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building
is open Monday — Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Talking Book Program — The Talking
Book Program staff and the Disability Information and Referral
Center have moved to our temporary Camino La Costa location
during the renovation. The mailing and shipping address and
phone numbers remain the same and will not change during the
renovation process. Please call ahead (800) 252-9605
or (512) 463-5458, before you plan to visit
the Talking Book offices because materials and tours may not
be readily available due to storage and renovation changes.
Please continue to send and return tapes, books and magazines
to the self-addressed card enclosed with materials you receive.
All other correspondence should continue to be mailed to 4440B
Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin, TX 78756-3213.
Website Interruptions
Due to renovation, electrical, technical and server upgrades
at Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building,
our website may experience interruptions without notice. We
regret any inconvenience this may cause. Please check back
under our notices listing for other changes in services.
Elevator Delays
Please expect short elevator usage delays and limited stairway
access when visiting the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives
and Library Building due to construction. As construction
progresses, each of the two elevators will be take out of
service in turn for replacement causing additional delays.
July 13 –15, 2009 - The Reference,
Archives and Genealogy public service areas have moved and
are servicing patrons in room 115 on the first floor of the
Lorenzo de Zavala Building. All patrons and visitors must
sign in at the Welcome Desk, and place personal items and
bags in the individually keyed and secure lockers before entering
the service area. The Archives and Information Services staff
offices have moved to their second floor temporary location.
Room 300 on the third floor is now closed. For more information
about Reference, Archives and Genealogy services call (512)
463-5455.
April 13-15 & 20-22, 2009 - The Texas State
Library and Archives Commission temporarily closed Room 300
of the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building,
from April 13-15 and April 20-22.
Archives & Information Services staff members needed to move,
over 8,000 cubic feet of materials and 12,000 linear feet
of publications, during this time to prep for the advancing
construction to the upper floors. Room 300 service areas include
the Archives Reading Room, Reference, and Genealogy. Room
300 reopened and resume service at 8 a.m., on Thursday, April
16 and on April 23. For more information about known closings
call (512) 463-5455.
March 13, 2009 - The Library Development
division moved portions of the Library Science Collection
(LSC), and its remaining staff members, from the Lorenzo de
Zavala State Archives and Library Building to the temporary
Camino La Costa location. A "core" collection is available
for checkout but the majority is safely housed in off -site
storage and may be unavailable during the renovation period.
The Library Science Colletion is a "librarian's library"
with materials and information services to support the continuing
education and training needs of Texas librarians, library
staff, trustees, and laypersons in all types of libraries.
Texas residents may register to borrow books and audiovisuals
from the LSC, and request reference assistance by e-mail at
lsc@tsl.state.tx.us, by
telephone at (800) 252-9386 or (512) 463-5494.
February 6-8, 2009 - Texas State Publications
Depository Program moved to the Ground Floor, Room G-020.
The Talking Book Program Volunteer Recording Studio moved
to the Ground Floor, Room G-021. Print Shop and Mail Room
moved to the Ground Floor also.
January 16, 2009 - The Library Development
and Library Resource Sharing Divisions moved from the third
floor of the Lorenzo de Zavala Building to the Camino La Costa
location. Staff boxed office materials in preparation for
the move. Services, however, will not be interrupted. Patrons
using the Reference, Genealogical and other services in room
300 on the third floor may experience loud noise levels associated
with renovation. We apologize for the noise. Human Resources,
Communications Office, Friends and the TSLAC Executive Office
remain on the fourth floor.
December 30, 2008 - Furniture was delivered
to the Ground Floor. Installation of the furniture will take
approximately two to three weeks.
December 19, 2008 - The Lorenzo de Zavala
Building closed from Dec. 20-28 to connect to a temporary
HVAC system. Workers removed, installed and connected the
building to the new system. The building reopened on December
29. Complete disassembly of the old system and removal from
the building will take place over the next several months.
December 15, 2008 - The three Talking Books
recording booths were delivered, installed and tested on the
Ground Floor. Almost all the shelving on the Ground Floor
and stacks 1 and 2 has been installed.
August 1, 2008 - Workers begin renovations
to the second floor of the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives
and Library Building. We apologized to our patrons using the
Reference, Genealogical and other services in room 300 on
the third floor for the loud noise levels associated with
renovation, demolition and construction. We also want to caution
patrons who are sensitive to dust and allergies because of
the construction process in the building.
July 21, 2008 - TSLAC Executive Office,
Director & State Librarian Peggy Rudd moves to the fourth
floor - Room 416. Assistant State Librarian Ed Seidenberg
moves to Camino La Costa location. TSLAC Communications Office
and Friends of Libraries & Archives of Texas move to Room
415. Human Resources department remains on fourth floor �
Room 413. Library Development and Library Resource Sharing
remains on fourth floor.
July 15, 2008 - Talking Book Program and
the Disability Information and Referral Center move to our
temporary Camino La Costa location. Mailing and shipping address
and phone number remain the same and will not change. Please
call (800) 256-9605 or (512) 463-5458. Tours and visits to
the Talking Book office are not recommended because materials
may not be readily available due to storage. Services, however,
will not be interrupted. Please continue to return tapes,
books and magazines with the enclosed self-addressed cards.
All other Talking Book correspondence should continue to be
mailed to 4440B Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin, TX 78756-3213.
Archives & Information Services staff and Information
Resources Technologies move from first and second floor to
third and fourth floors. Administrative Services and Accounting
& Grants move to the Camino La Costa location. Postal
service is unaffected. Our mailing address remains the same:
P.O. Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711-2927. All phone numbers and
mailings including financial payment address, P.O. Box 12516,
Austin, TX 78711 remain the same and will not change.
May 5, 2008 - Workers begin renovations
to the ground floor of the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives
and Library Building. The Texas Department of Health and Human
Services made available 10,000 square feet for our staff in
the Camino La Costa building.
February 1, 2008 - The ground floor staff
moves to the second, third floors and into swing space at
the Camino La Costa building that also houses the Texas Real
Estate Commission.
December 14, 2007 - The Archives Reading
Room relocates to the third floor - Room 300. Note that official
state government records will be accessible throughout the
renovation process, although researchers should expect longer
turnarounds as items may be off-site. Call in advance
of any visit to the get the latest news about the renovation
and how it might impact your research. Call (512) 463-5455.
December 1, 2007 - Archives and Information
Service staff and workers box, load and move 12,000 cubic
feet (47% of materials) to off-site climate controlled storage.
October 1, 2007 - Genealogy services relocate
to third floor - Room 300, where the following resources will
be available:
Vital statistics indexes (microformat only)
Federal census indexes (printed and microformat)
Selected county records (microformat only)
Soundex for Texas 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 (microformat)
County tax rolls through 1921 (microformat only)
Texas city directories (printed and microformat)
Access to HeritageQuest
Access to interlibrary loan
Archives and Information Services staff prepares more than
20,000 linear feet of materials for off-site storage and moves
almost 5,000 linear feet from the first floor to the third
floor of the Genealogy Collection.
August 1, 2007 - Limited access granted
to the Texas State Archives and materials within the Reference/Documents
Collection as materials are moved into off-site storage. Official
state records stored off-site will be available for research
with advance notice. Please call ahead so we may accommodate
you or refer you to other sources. (512) 463-5455.
July 15, 2007 - Requests can no longer be
accepted for photograph or other special imaging orders. (Plain-paper
copying services will still be available.) During our renovation
(possibly as long as two years), there are other sources of
historic Texas images. A listing may be requested from
Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building renovation
background
Currently, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
faces significant challenges due to its main building's deficiencies—challenges
that affect the library's ability to serve its customers.
There is not one square inch of available archival storage
space to be found. Current and future acquisitions of precious
historical collections must be stored off-site in a warehouse
facility that may not have the optimum environmental controls
to protect archives, which require consistent cool temperatures
and very low humidity. Space inefficiencies create service
inefficiencies as well as inconveniences to customers. In
addition, the mechanical and electrical systems have long
outlived their life expectancies.
The 79th Texas Legislature authorized $15.5 million in bond
financing to renovate the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives
and Library Building. Bailey Architects of Houston is the
architect of the renovation project, which will include bringing
the building up to code, modernizing and combining the public
service areas and completing many long overdue maintenance
projects. The money allocated, however, is not enough to cover
all costs of the renovation and will not give us additional
space. We are in need of additional space to cover the next
20 years of collecting, archiving and managing historical
documents and government records.
Donate to FRIENDS to help the Texas State Library and Archives
"Capital Campaign"
The Friends of Libraries & Archives of Texas, a 501(c)(3)
organization that supports the activities of the Texas State
Library and Archives Commission, has undertaken the task of
raising $10 million to realize the complete renovation of
our flagship building for the people of Texas.
The Texas State Library needs your help!
The State Library and Archives already has $15.5 million
from the Texas Legislature for the project. With this funding,
the library can update the mechanical, electrical and plumbing
systems, improve the quality of the public and staff spaces,
and generally bring the building up to code.
However, specialized library and conservation equipment,
library furniture and lighting are not in the budget. Compact
archival shelving that would allow the library to maximize
space for its growing archival collection is very expensive,
and is not included in the renovation budget.
Friends need to raise an additional $10 million to augment
state funding and realize a 21st Century state library and
archives building for the people of Texas.
The organization is spearheading the capital campaign to
raise funds for the renovation and needs your help.
Houston Endowment, Inc., challenges Friends to raise $1.3
million toward Capital Campaign goal!
At a Houston event on Texas Treasures from the State Archives,
the Friends of Libraries & Archives of Texas announced
a challenge from Houston Endowment, Inc. If the Friends raise
$1.3 million by March 2010, Houston Endowment will add $500,000.
The Friends has raised $1.7 million to date. The additional
$1.3 million will complete the first phase of the Campaign.
The $10 million Capital Campaign supplements the current
state-funded renovation of the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives
and Library Building on the Capitol grounds. The Archives
is home to the Travis Letter from the Alamo; the Matamoros
Battalion flag, captured at the Battle of San Jacinto; and
other priceless and unique documents and artifacts of Texas
history.
The Capital Campaign will create a 21st Century library and
archives for the people of Texas, with state-of-the-art public
service areas, enhanced archival storage, and interactive
computer displays describing the collections. Help the Friends
meet Houston Endowment, Inc.'s $1.3 million challenge! To
make a contribution to the Friends of Libraries & Archives
of Texas, contact Charlotte McCann, director of development,
at (512) 936-2505 or by email at friends@tsl.state.tx.us.
For
more information.
How can you help
1. Make
a donation. Send your tax-deductible donation to the Friends
of Libraries & Archives of Texas. Mark "capital campaign"
on your check. Send your donation to:
Friends of Libraries &
Archives of Texas
PO Box 12983
Austin, TX 78711
3. Send us your ideas. Perhaps
you've participated in a building campaign or other successful
fundraising effort.
4. For more information, call the Friends of Libraries and
Archives of Texas Development Director Charlotte McCann at
(512) 936-2505 or email at
friends@tsl.state.tx.us
