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) 936-INFO (4636) or (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 watch our progress in the image gallery, explore the history of the archives, and 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 project 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 47 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To protect the historical documents and government records in our care, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission has moved much of its collections to secured off-site and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.
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.
Service Impacts
Please note the dates and notices on the left side of the website front-page regarding changes or interruptions in services. 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.
Renovation Progress & Timeline
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.
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
