From the Archivist

By Nancy Toombs

By now, you’ve probably heard that Austin History Center Manager and City Archivist Mike Miller accepted the position of Executive Director of the Rosenburg Library and Museum in Galveston in late March. It’s a great move for Mike. The Rosenberg is the oldest public library in the state of Texas, first offering free library service in January 1871. Mike served the AHC for almost 15 years. We appreciate all that he accomplished at the AHC and wish him all the best in his new endeavor.

With Mike’s departure, I stepped in as Interim Division Manager. I’ll serve in this capacity until a new manager is hired. I have been with the AHC for nearly 12 years as Head of Public Services. Prior to my time at the AHC, I served in management roles at various APL branches, including as Manager of the Spicewood Springs branch. I marked 23 years with the library this past February. I’ve always valued the support the AHCA provides the AHC. Please feel free to contact me anytime.

APL has announced its re-opening and reintegration plan. All public services staff will be reporting to their worksites on May 3, and the library anticipates opening locations to the public starting May 10. Services will still be limited and buildings will open at 25 percent capacity. All people in APL buildings will be required to wear masks, stay six feet apart, and wash hands often.

AHC will be open to the public two days a week, Thursday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm. The reading room will be limited to four researchers at a time, and appointments will be taken and are encouraged. Remote reference services will continue during this next phase. To make a reservation, look in the Research section of the AHC website and select Reference Services. On that page you’ll find a link for the Research Request Form. Complete and submit this form and someone will get you in touch with an archivist who will set up an appointment for you to visit the Reading Room and pull your materials in advance. We will also have a table reserved for walk-in customers. Reservation appointments will not have a time limit, but walk-ins will be limited to 2 hours if others are waiting.

No public programs or meetings will take place at the AHC during this re-opening and reintegration phase.

APL is targeting August for full re-opening of facilities.