Dear Texas Library Leader,
As Texas moves toward its 200th anniversary in 2036, Texas Authors would like to invite your library into a conversation—not about replacing or duplicating the work libraries already do so well, but about finding ways we can work together to help Texans rediscover the enjoyment of reading.
Libraries remain one of the strongest community anchors in Texas. You know your readers, your schools, your families, your local needs, and the programs that genuinely work in your community. Texas Authors brings a different but complementary resource: a statewide network of Texas writers and books representing virtually every genre, age group, background, interest, and reading level.
Together, we believe there may be an opportunity to create stronger connections between Texas readers, Texas libraries, and Texas authors.
Over the years, Texans—like people everywhere—have increasingly moved toward technology, short-form content, social media, gaming, and other screen-based entertainment. At the same time, there is now a growing push among parents, educators, families, and many adults to reduce technology dependence and limit screen time.
That shift creates a real opportunity for Texas libraries and Texas authors to work together. Reading can offer children, teens, and adults an enjoyable alternative to constant screens while also building imagination, focus, knowledge, empathy, and connection. By making books more visible, accessible, social, and exciting, we can help more Texans return to reading not as an assignment, but as something they genuinely want to do.
The Road to Texas 200 concept is focused on helping Texans build or rebuild a personal enjoyment of reading. We want to explore practical, positive, community-based ways to make books more visible, reading more social, and Texas authors more accessible to the readers who may enjoy their work.
We are not proposing that Texas Authors create a statewide library program for libraries. Instead, we are asking whether there may be ways to partner with libraries to support what you already do and learn from what has proven successful in your communities.
For example, we would welcome discussion around ideas such as:
- Bringing more Texas authors into library programs, reading events, book clubs, workshops, and community conversations.
- Sharing library programs that have successfully encouraged children, teens, adults, or families to read more.
- Exploring whether renewed efforts such as “Drop Everything and Read” days, reading hours, family reading challenges, or technology-free reading events could be useful today.
- Creating more visible pathways for readers to discover Texas-authored books in every genre—not only history, Westerns, or Texas-centered stories, but romance, mystery, children’s books, science fiction, memoir, fantasy, faith, poetry, business, young adult, and more.
- Building local programs that connect readers with authors who live in, write about, or care deeply about their communities.
- Identifying ways Texas Authors can help promote library reading programs through our author and reader networks.
Increasing readership of Texas-authored books can have value beyond the individual reading experience. It supports working writers, publishers, bookstores, printers, event venues, educators, and related Texas businesses. It keeps more cultural and economic activity within the state, strengthens the tax base, and gives communities more opportunities to gather around shared stories, ideas, and conversations.
Most importantly, books can create connection. A child who finds the right story may become a lifelong reader. An adult who reconnects with reading may discover a new source of enjoyment, comfort, curiosity, or community. A library that introduces readers to authors from their own state can help people see that meaningful stories are not distant things created somewhere else—they are being written all around them.
We would appreciate the opportunity to hear from Texas libraries about what is already working, what challenges you are seeing, and where a partnership with Texas Authors could be genuinely useful.
A few questions we would welcome your thoughts on include:
- What programs have helped your community increase reading participation or excitement?
- Are there reading programs from the past that you believe deserve to be renewed?
- What would make it easier to connect Texas authors and Texas readers through your library?
- What age groups or communities are most difficult to reach right now?
- Are there programs, events, or partnerships your library would like to explore with Texas Authors?
Road to Texas 200 should be a collaborative effort built by Texans, not a program handed down to communities. Libraries are essential partners in that conversation, and we would be honored to learn from you and explore where our efforts can strengthen one another.
Please share your thoughts, successful programs, and interest in future collaboration with us at
Thank you for all you do to keep reading alive, accessible, and meaningful for Texans of every age.
Sincerely,
B. Alan Bourgeois
Texas Authors Museum and Texas Authors
Road to Texas 200