Texas State Library

After visiting the libraries and special collections that Baylor has to offer, we ventured down to Austin to pay a visit to the Texas State Library.  Upon entering the library, you notice how beautiful of a building it is.  It truly is a spectacular building.

Something else that is spectacular about the building is up on the 4th floor.  It's the Library Science Collection.  Librarians know how expensive it is to purchase professional development materials and with budget cuts, we really dislike having to spend money on them.  Well, librarians no longer have to spend money on books to help with leadership, management, marketing, grand writing, books for teen, etc.  The Library Collection has them all and you can use them free of charge. 

Entering the Texas State Library

Christina Manz is the librarian for Library Science Collection.  You can request materials via phone or email, which have been provided on the sidebar.  You simply need to pay to have it shipped back to her.  She encouraged us to share our newly gained knowledge with fellow librarians.  The catalog is available online.

Christina also has a monthly newsletter and blog to keep Texas librarians up to date.  This is a great resource available for Texas librarians.  Let's spread the word!

Shawna checking out part of the collection

Salado, Texas

3 Billy Goats Gruff statue in Salado

When taking a Texas-sized trip to Waco and Austin, you need somewhere to stay.  Shawna and I took advantage of an adorable and quaint little town called Salado.   Staying in a hotel is boring!! Salado has several Bed & Breakfasts that are beautiful and way more comfortable than some stuffy hotel.  They definitely have a lot more personality.  We stayed at the Inn at Salado and loved it.  A feature that was important to us was WiFi and our B&B had it.  After visiting all the libraries, special collections, and museums, we had work to do and needed access to our online graduate classes.

We spent an entire day traveling and visiting libraries and museum, we needed a day to shop!  Salado has over sixty shops with a lot of charm.  We had a lot fun haulin' all our stuff back to Ft. Worth. 

Salado has many fun activities throughout the year that you should definitely check out.

Salado Public Library

Salado has a public library that I was quite impressed with.  You would think a library in a small town would not be kept current or the facility itself would be subpar, but you would be greatly mistaken.  I learned that a portion of the sales tax in Salado goes to fund the library.  Because of that, the library has a beautiful building, has up-to-date technology, and a wonderful collection.  The library is actually readying itself for an expansion. 

The Salado Public Library's collection contains books, audio books, ebooks, and movies.  They also provide WiFi and an electronic library that is open 24/7.

When looking through the library, I noticed they had a paperback swap.  You could take up to five books as long as you leave some paperbacks.  You don't even have to return the books you took!  I just might have to steal that idea for my library. 

The library conducts a summer reading program and has special guests come and speak to the community.  The also have a shed, located behind the library, where they sell used books.

I adore this library.  Salado, Texas is very lucky to have such a wonderful facility!

Children's Section

Baylor University

I've always wanted to see Baylor University and now I had the perfect opportunity.  Our first stop was the Wiethorn Visitors Center.  We were greeted by two college students who were happy to answer our questions, recommend some libraries, and map it out for us.

Jesse H. Jones Library and the Moody Memorial Library 

Shawna and I knew that Baylor would have a great university library and we stood corrected.  They don't only have A great library, they have six great libraries.  The first library we visited was the Jesse H. Jones Library.  This library is a reference and information library with government documents and microfilm.  The second floor of this library contains science periodicals and everything J/K from the Library of Congress.  The Moody Memorial Library is located in the same building and contains current and backfiles that are not science related and houses everything else that is not J/K from the Library of Congress. The librarian was extremely friendly and helpful and gave much of her time to sit and answer all of our questions.

We began discussing how technology is so prominent for today's students and we were wondering in what format new materials were purchased.  The librarian informed us that the library did a rather large weeding three to four years ago and they tried not to purchase new print materials when replacing the weeded materials.  This gives students the ability to access the collection from home.  The library also allows students to have access to librarians or paras through their online chat service.  Librarians/paras can assist students with any questions they have regarding the collection.  The service is available until 1:15 am.  The paras which are assisting students through the online chat service have some sort of masters or PhD work.

Carroll Library (Texas Collection)

The Carroll Library holds a very special collection.  It has one of, if not the, largest Texas Collections.  It is a closed-stack and the librarians work one-on-one with the researchers that visit this beautiful library.  Amie Oliver, a librarian who has been with the Carroll Library for six years, taught us all about this special collection and the history of this spectacular library.  It all began with Dr. Kenneth Hazen Aynesworth who loved Texas history and began collecting books on the subject.  In 1923 he donated his personal collection to Baylor University.  Through donations, the library has now grown to over 100,00 books, 64,00 pictures, and 3,600 artifacts.  The Carroll Library accepts materials involving Texas history is various formats: diaries, letters, scrapbooks, vertical files, books, photographs, etc.  Carroll Library receives many of their materials through donations and through various contacts.  Carroll Library also utilizes dealers who visit auctions and create catalogs of recent purchases.

Carroll Library (Texas Collection)

Visitors from all over the world come to Waco, Texas to use this special collection.  Many genealogists, authors, and news reports have taken advantage of the information that is held within the walls of the Carroll Library.  Most recently, CNN called for information regarding the Branch Davidians.  The Carroll Library has the only recordings of David Koresh and the police.  The Pentagon and NBC have also taken advantage of this special collection. 

In addition to the Texas Collection, the Carroll Library also houses a map room that is in the process of being cataloged.  Shawna and I were given a tour of the map room which has recently been remodeled.  Maps are neatly placed in large drawers and are easily found through the BearCat Electronic Database.  An organization that was celebrating the anniversary of the Chisolm Trail recently made use of the maps by locating where the Chisolm Trail ran through Texas.

To keep students connected and updated on the activities of the Texas Collection, Amie Oliver keeps  Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr accounts.




Podium where Truman addressed Baylor students

 

Armstrong Browning Library

Named after Dr. A. Joseph Armstrong, head of Baylor's English Department from 1912-1952, and poet Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the spectacular Armstrong Browning Library houses the largest collection of secular stained glass windows. This library is much more than a library, it is also a museum with decorative art in every corner.  This library/museum also houses one of the largest collections of Wedgwood pottery in the United States.

The Armstrong Browning Library serves students and researchers with primary and secondary resource materials.  Its collection includes materials from the Victorian culture and from 19th century writers.  This library has the largest collection of Browning material in the world.

While wandering the halls and admiring the stained glass windows, I spotted a familiar piece of furniture.  Could it be true?  Were my eyes deceiving me?  No, it really was a card catalog. It was probably the prettiest card catalog I have ever seen.



I'm browsing the card catalog

Tobin & Anne Armstrong Research Center

Tobin & Anne Armstrong Research Center is the official library and archives of the Texas Rangers. The collection is accessed by families searching their genealogy, authors and film makers researching the Texas Rangers or Texas history, or anyone wanting to learn a little bit more about the Lone Star State.

The Research Center dedicates itself to collecting, preserving, archiving, cataloging, and making available a collection regarding the Texas Rangers, Southern Plains Indians, and firearms.  The special collection includes photographs, letters, films, books, movie posters, and much more.

Amanda Crowley, the librarian, is busying herself with reference work and cataloging the materials.  Materials are cataloged using the Library of Congress.  To gain access to the collection, you must make an appointment and the items that are needed will be pulled for you.

The Research Center is being housed in the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum until construction of their new building is complete.  Due to lack of space, at the moment, they are unable to receive walk-ins.  To schedule an appointment, you can email or call Amanda Crowley.  To contact Amanda to schedule an appointment, please see the sidebar.

Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum

Two librarians (Shawna and myself, Nitza) take a trip to central Texas to explore libraries and resources available to cowboys and cowgirls of all ages. Strap on your spurs and come along for a ride. Yeehaw!!


Our first stop was in Waco.  I must recommend that you stop at Waco's Tourist Information Center located directly off of I-35 at the 335B exit.  This is a grand ole place to pick up free brochures and loads of information regarding points of interest and attractions.  While you're there, you can stock up on souvenirs such as mugs, t-shirts, key chains, and anything else your little heart desires.

Located directly next to the Tourist Information Center is the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.  The museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and offers some great fun and resources at very reasonable rates.  Grown ups and kids will enjoy the exhibit which showcases artifacts related to the Texas Rangers.  The artifact collection consists of badges, firearms, tack, and personal gear. 

Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum

If you're a teacher or librarian looking for resources relating to Texas history, you've just hit the jackpot!  The museum offers guided tours and hands-on programs.  All of the programs offered have TEKS connections.  The museum offers a crime scene kit, with a teacher's guide, at no cost.  The kit can be checked-out for 1-2 weeks and all you have to do is pay for it to be shipped back.  The museum also offers a surveying program with math TEKS connections. 

If that wasn't enough, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum also offers summer programs.  One of the summer programs consists of a Living History Re-enactment.  On July 20, 2012 they will be offering a Texas Ranger Summer Camp for kids entering the fourth and fifth grades.  Kids will have the opportunity to learn survival skills that were needed by the 19th century Texas Ranger. The camp runs from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at a cost of $25.00. 


Casey Eichhorn, the Education Coordinator, is offering Skype tours at no cost.  It's a fantastic way for kids to "visit" the museum without the hassle of coordinating a field trip.  Casey's email and phone number can be seen to the right of the screen.  Contact him regarding any the programs that might be of interest.

One of the exhibits