Texas State Library and Archives Commission

What Texas State Library and Archives Commission does

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is a Texas state government agency headquartered at 1201 Brazos St., Austin, established in 1909 and operating under Texas Government Code Chapter 441. The agency functions as the state's official library and archives institution, providing three principal service lines: (1) specialized public-facing library services including the Talking Book Program (free audiobook, braille, and large-print lending for Texans with visual, physical, or reading disabilities, with 169,000+ titles) and the Disability Information and Referral Center; (2) library development and resource sharing through TexShare (statewide electronic databases and courier services for member libraries), TexQuest (K-12 electronic content), and the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty, TX; and (3) government-facing archives, reference, and records management, including collection and preservation of Texas state government records, historical manuscripts, and the State and Local Records Management (SLRM) program with retention schedules and training for government records managers.

Underlying technology is built around commercial library and archival systems rather than proprietary AI platforms: SirsiDynix Symphony underpins the State Library Catalog and Talking Book Program NCIP workflows; OCLC WorldCat Discovery, EBSCO, ProQuest, Gale/Cengage, EBSCO NoveList, Adam Matthew Digital, and HeritageQuest provide electronic content and discovery; Preservica and Internet Archive Archive-It support long-term digital preservation; ArchiveSpace (Lyrasis) supports archival management; and Index Data maintains the TexShare authentication interface. The agency manages three physical locations (Austin HQ, Austin State Records Center, Liberty Sam Houston Center) and pursues operational partnerships with the Library of Congress, University of Texas at Austin, Region XX ESC, AMIGOS Library Services, and the Texas Department of Information Resources, among others.

TSLAC does not generate commercial revenue; it is funded by Texas state legislative appropriations supplemented by federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. Most services are free to the public, with patron-facing delivery channels including mail (Talking Book Program), the TexShare library network, online portal access via tsl.texas.gov, and phone/email reference. Customers fall into three primary segments: Texas libraries (TexShare/TexShare/TexQuest participants), state and local government agencies (records management), and individual Texans with disabilities (Talking Book Program). As a government agency, no private ownership, equity capital, or M&A activity is applicable.

Name

Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Legal name

Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Website

https://tsl.texas.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is a Texas state government agency established in 1909 that operates library, archival, and records-management services, including the Talking Book Program for disabled patrons, TexShare/TexQuest statewide resource sharing for libraries and K-12 schools, and preservation of Texas state government records and historical manuscripts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Library and Archives Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF), Accessible & Alternative Format Materials (Braille, Large Print, Audio, Tactile Graphics) (EDAGAMAD)

Keywords

• Government library services
• Archival records management
• Library resource sharing
• Disability library services
• Historical document preservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. State Government Appropriations: Funded by Texas state government appropriations and federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. As a state agency, TSLAC does not generate revenue from commercial activities but operates on appropriated funds from the state legislature.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is a Texas state government agency that provides free library services, archival access to government records and historical manuscripts, statewide library resource sharing through TexShare and TexQuest, the Talking Book Program for Texans with visual, physical, or reading disabilities, records management training and support for state and local government entities, and professional development for Texas libraries.

Product overview

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides a portfolio of library and government information services organized as distinct programs. The core offerings include the Talking Book Program (free audiobook and braille lending for people with disabilities), TexShare and TexQuest (statewide library resource sharing and K-12 digital content), Archives and Reference Services (government records and historical manuscripts), Records Management (SLRM for government entities), and the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center (regional research facility). Supporting programs include the Texas Center for the Book, the Disability Information and Referral Center, Library Development and Networking for professional education, and the State Publications Depository Program. These services are accessed through the State Library Catalog (Sirsi-based OPAC) and the TSLAC website.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Talking Book Program: Free audiobook and braille services for individuals with visual, physical, or reading disabilities. Part of the National Library Service to the Blind and Print Disabled.
• TexShare
• TexQuest
• Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center

Products and services

• Talking Book Program Free service that loans audiobooks, audio magazines, braille materials, and large print publications to Texans who cannot read standard print due to visual, physical, or reading disabilities. Part of the National Library Service to the Blind and Print Disabled administered by the Library of Congress.
• TexShare Statewide library resource sharing program providing participating Texas libraries access to electronic databases, courier services, and shared collections to extend resources across the state.
• TexQuest K-12 digital content program providing electronic resources to Texas schools, supported by regional education service centers.
• Archives and Reference Services Collects, preserves, and provides access to Texas state government records, historical manuscripts, and archival collections for research and government accountability.
• Records Management (SLRM) State and Local Records Management program providing training, retention schedules, and workshops for government records managers across Texas.
• Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center Regional library and research facility in Liberty, Texas housing historical collections, museum exhibits, and genealogy resources for East Texas research.
• Texas Center for the Book Program promoting literacy, reading, and the importance of books and libraries in Texas communities.
• Disability Information and Referral Center (DIRC) Free reference service housing information on types of disabilities, health conditions, related organizations, publications, products, and assistive technology for Texans with disabilities.
• State Library Catalog Online public access catalog (OPAC) for TSLAC's collections, including newly added titles and archival materials. Built on the Sirsi library management system.
• Library Development and Networking Professional development, continuing education, and consulting services for Texas libraries including workshops, webinars, and the Library Leadership Institute.
• State Publications Depository Program Collects and distributes Texas state agency publications to participating depository libraries across the state.

Quantifiable outcome

• Talking Book Program serves more than 6,000 patrons under age 18 across Texas

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Library of Congress (National Library Service to the Blind and Print Disabled)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSLAC's Talking Book Program is part of the National Library Service to the Blind and Print Disabled administered by the Library of Congress. This partnership provides access to the national collection of audiobooks and braille materials for eligible Texans.
• University of Texas at AustincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for conferences, training, employee development, and various event hosting including the E-Records Conference. Multiple contracts for services and facilities.
• OCLC (Online Computer Library Center)coreTechnology or IntegrationSubscription to WorldCat Discovery, cataloging services, and interlibrary loan program services. Major technology partner for library resource sharing infrastructure.
• ProQuest LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationAnnual subscriptions for HeritageQuest online database, Sanborn Maps, 20th Century English Poetry databases, and other electronic resources for the TexShare Program.
• SirsiDynixcoreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware as a Service (SaaS) provider for library management system (SirsiDynix Symphony) including NCIP interface for the Talking Book Program.
• AMIGOS Library ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTexShare courier services for participating libraries and RDA toolkit subscription. Key logistics partner for interlibrary loan operations.
• Middle Country Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily Place Program partnership providing training services for libraries on early literacy programming for up to 24 libraries.
• American Library AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional membership and conference registrations for professional development. Youth workshops and various training programs.
• Society of American ArchivistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional membership and workshops on digital records management and archival practices.
• Texas Facilities CommissionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFacilities management services for the Shoal Creek Blvd location and historical building maintenance at the Sam Houston Regional Library.
• Preservica Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationCloud storage and management system for long-term/archival electronic records preservation.
• Gale/Cengage LearningcoreTechnology or IntegrationElectronic subscription to Health Reference Center and other databases for the TexShare Program.
• South Texas Lighthouse for the BlindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVendor providing products for accessibility and services supporting the blind community.
• EBSCO Information ServicesTechnology or IntegrationMagazine and newspaper subscriptions through EBSCO and NoveList database subscription for reading recommendations.
• State Preservation BoardminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerParking vouchers and interagency cooperation for Capitol area services.
• Texas Department of Information ResourcescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerData center network consolidation services, CCTS phone charges, and technology procurement under DIR contracts.
• Region XX Education Service CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducation partner services for TexQuest program planning, implementation, outreach, and technical support for K-12 schools.
• Urban Libraries CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubscription to Edge Initiative Program services for public library assessment.
• Collaborative Summer Library ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual membership dues for summer reading program materials.
• Council of State Archivists (COSA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual membership for state archives professional organization.
• NAGARA (National Association of Government Archives and Records Managers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership and workshop registrations for records management professional development.
• Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual membership for collaboration with other state library agencies.
• COSUGI (Chief Officers of State University and Institutional Libraries)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual membership for academic library collaboration.
• American Association for State and Local HistoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual membership for history and archival professionals.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• California State Library: California's official state library agency with parallel programs including Braille and Talking Book Library, state publications depository, and government records management, serving the largest U.S. state library system.
• New York State Library: New York's state library operates Talking Book and Braille Library, state archives, and library development services, making it one of the closest functional analogs to TSLAC.
• Florida State Library and Archives: Florida Division of Library and Information Services combines state library and archives functions, provides Talking Book Library services, and operates library development programs parallel to TSLAC.

Emerging players

• Internet Archive: Nonprofit digital library providing free access to books, audio, and web archives; offers Archive-It web harvesting services that TSLAC subscribes to for digital preservation of state publications.
• Bookshare: Provides accessible ebooks for people with reading disabilities and overlaps directly with TSLAC's Talking Book Program target audience, often serving as a complementary digital alternative.

Broad incumbents

• Library of Congress: The national library that administers the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, of which TSLAC's Talking Book Program is a regional branch; operates at federal scale with overlapping accessibility, archival, and reference functions.
• National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Administers the national network of which TSLAC's Talking Book Program is part; provides the master audiobook and braille collection, BARD digital platform, and standards governing regional libraries nationwide.

Others

• OCLC: Nonprofit library technology cooperative providing WorldCat Discovery, cataloging, and interlibrary loan services that TSLAC uses as core infrastructure for TexShare resource sharing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tslac
• YouTubeyoutube.com/tslac
• Facebookfacebook.com/tslac
• Instagraminstagram.com/tslac
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tslac

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Texas State Library and Archives Commission