TLA Visits the Governor
Ruth Semrau

Carolyn Armstrong, chair of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, arranged an appointment with Governor George W. Bush, and on the morning of February 11, four TLA members presented themselves for the audience: Mrs. Armstrong; Dr. Robert S. Martin, director and librarian of the State Library and Archives Commission; Dr. S. Joe McCord, TLA president; and Ruth Semrau, co-chair of the TLA Legislative Committee. All attendees shook hands with a smiling and gracious governor.

The governor's office faces south from the second floor of the capitol building. Its very large rooms are furnished in traditional gubernatorial style with heavy woods and leathers, large scale chairs and sofas that still manage to be surrounded by lots of space. The first thing seen as we walked down a short corridor and into the inner office was a group of shallow, glass-enclosed cabinets holding dozens and dozens of autographed baseballs. We wanted to linger there and look at each one.

He told us that Texas libraries had a strong supporter in the governor's mansion — "Mrs. Laura W. Bush." He described Mrs. Bush's considerable interest in libraries, and how she had raised his own awareness. He further explained that his vision for the state included libraries as a very important component of future development. He spoke with fondness of his life in rural Texas, and his belief that information technology was going to make it possible for those who grew up in small towns to return and give their children the kind of simpler lives and upbringing that we seem to long for. The governor understands the important role that libraries — school, public, and academic — must play in this vision of the future, and he assured us of his ongoing support.

As the four of us walked away after about a twenty-minute visit, we smiled, encouraged at this propitious start to the day's activities.