Texas Center for the Book

Texas Center for the Book

Established	1987
Type	Non-profit / Government program
Headquarters	Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building
Location	Austin, Texas
Region	Texas
Affiliations	Library of Congress Center for the Book Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Website	www.tsl.texas.gov/centerforthebook

The Texas Center for the Book is an organization dedicated to promoting literacy, libraries, and the literary heritage of Texas. It is one of the 50 state affiliates of the Library of Congress Center for the Book and operates under the direction of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. ^[1]

History and mission

The center was established in 1987 to stimulate public interest in books and reading. Originally housed at the Dallas Public Library, the center moved its headquarters to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin in 2015 to better serve the state on a broader level. ^[2]

Its mission is to celebrate the written word and coordinate statewide reading programs. It works in partnership with library professionals, educators, authors, and publishers to improve literacy and library usage across the state. ^[3]

Programs

The Texas Center for the Book organizes several statewide literary initiatives, including:

• Texas Great Read: An annual selection of books (one for adults and one for young readers) that represent the state's literary landscape at the National Book Festival. ^[1]
• Letters About Literature: A reading and writing contest for students in grades 4–12, encouraging them to write letters to authors whose books have affected them personally. ^[3]
• Read Across Texas: A community reading program that encourages libraries and organizations to host discussions around a specific book or theme relevant to Texans.
• Literacy Awards: Grants and recognition awarded to non-profit organizations and libraries that support reading instruction and literacy promotion.

References

1. "Texas - About the Center for the Book". Library of Congress. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
2. "Texas Center for the Book Has New Home at State Library and Archives". Library of Congress. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
3. "Texas Center for the Book". Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Retrieved 21 December 2025.

External links

• Official website