(a) Public access to archival state records and other
historical resources in the possession of the agency will be granted
under the following conditions, subject to subsection (b) of this
section.
(1) Access to archival state records and other historical
resources maintained in Austin will be provided in the State Archives
Reading Room of the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building.
(2) Access to archival state records and other historical
resources maintained at the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research
Center in Liberty, Texas will be provided in the Center's Reading
Room.
(3) Registration and presentation of a current photo
identification is required to use original archival state records
and other resources.
(4) Researchers aged 17 and older may use original
archival state records and other resources. Researchers between the
ages of 13 and 16 are permitted to use original archival state records
and other resources if supervised by an adult. One adult per researcher
between the ages of 13 and 16 is required. Children aged 12 and under
are not permitted to use original archival state records or historical
resources.
(5) All researchers and supervising adults, if applicable,
must agree to and comply with the Reading Room Policies and instructions
as provided by staff members.
(6) Access will be granted during business hours for
each location as posted on the agency's website or as may be amended
from time to time by additional notice.
(7) Request for access to archival state records or
other historical resources must be submitted on a material request
form whether the request is a Research Request or a Public Information
Act (PIA) Request.
(b) The agency may restrict access to any original
archival state record or other historical resource in its possession
and provide only copies if, in the opinion of the state archivist,
such access would compromise the continued survival of the original
item. The state archivist will consider the following factors in the
consideration of requests for access to original archival state records
or other historical resources:
(1) physical condition of the archival state record
or resource;
(2) availability of a digital or other facsimile copy
of the archival state record or resource;
(3) the intrinsic or monetary value of the item to
the State; and
(4) any other factor that, in the opinion of the state
archivist, may compromise the continued survival of the original item.
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