Driving Support for Public Libraries

The Texas highway is about to become more scenic. Forget about bluebonnets and primroses, the "Texas Reads"/New Millennium license plate is about to bloom at your nearest Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) office. Beginning in early June, Texans can begin driving home support for public libraries.

The effort to create a specialty license plate to support reading programs began over a year ago. Representative Jesse W. Jones (D-Dallas) conceived the idea of a specialty plate to commemorate the turn of the millennium. When Dr. Jones shared his idea with Gleniece Robinson, then president of TLA, she suggested that the proceeds of the license plate sales be directed to support reading programs in Texas public libraries.

TxDOT then initiated the process of creating the special plate. They organized a statewide contest in middle school art classes to design the plate. The design concept by Claudia Martinez, a 7^th grader at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Dallas, was selected from over 100 entries submitted. With the design in place, TxDOT could begin manufacture as soon as it received orders for 3,500 plates or received a $15,000 deposit to offset production expenses until sales reached the required minimum of 3,500 plates.

The Tocker Foundation, a private organization that donates funds to Texas libraries in communities of under 12,000 population, agreed to underwrite the $15,000 deposit necessary for TxDOT to begin production immediately. Thanks to the Tocker Foundation's assistance, the "Texas Reads" plates will be available in early June.

Just like regular or other specialty license plates for cars and light trucks, the "Texas Reads" plates can be purchased from each county's tax assessor-collector. For the $30 fee, Texans will not only promote reading across the highways and byways of the state; they will help fund programs to support reading activities in public libraries. TLA and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission have been working with Representative Jones and his staff to begin publicizing the importance of supporting reading programs through the creation of the "Texas Reads"/New Millennium license plate.

Texas can now boast of two state license plate programs that support libraries and reading. Representative Helen Giddings of Dallas sponsored House Bill 3551 that redirected proceeds from the sale of "Read to Succeed" license plates from reading diagnostic projects to the purchase of school library materials. Both the "Read to Succeed" and "Texas Reads" license plates can be purchased through TxDOT.

To order a "Texas Reads" license plate: You simply mail a completed form available from the Texas Department of Transportation or your County Tax Office along with your check to TxDOT . For additional information, contact the TLA office at 512/328-1518 extension 23.

QUESTIONS?

• How will my purchase of a "Texas Reads" license plate benefit reading programs?
  • Your community will receive information on applying for the grant funds as soon as there are enough license plates sold to build the fund for libraries. The faster the plates are sold, the faster the funds will reach your community. Tell everyone you know about the "Texas Reads" plates!
• How much of the $30 fee that I pay in addition to my regular registration fee will go to libraries?
  • Only five dollars of the fee will go to TxDOT to offset their costs. The rest of the money collected for the specialty plates $25.00 will go into the fund. And that's not just when you buy your plates the first time; that's a donation you make every year to the fund when you renew and get a new sticker for your windshield!
• How long will it take to get my plates?
  • Just like any specialty or personalized license plate, it will take about six to eight weeks from when you purchase your plates for them to arrive. You will be notified by mail when your plates have been sent to your local County Tax Assessor/Collector's office. You'll go to that office and turn in your current license plates and pick up your new "Texas Reads" plates.
• Do I have to wait until my current plates expire to get my new "Texas Reads" plates?
  • No. You can order "Texas Reads" license plates at any time. Your County Tax Assessor/Collection will adjust your vehicle registration expiration date and prorate registration fees accordingly.
• What happens when I pick up my new plate?
  • You turn in your current windshield validation sticker and receive a new sticker. You will also pay your regular annual vehicle registration fee and receive a credit for the remaining time on your previous registration payment. Proof of financial responsibility, such as a liability insurance card or policy, is also required at this time.
• Can I transfer my license plate to another vehicle that I own, or one that I might buy in the future?
  • Plates can be transferred to another vehicle you own by obtaining a corrected vehicle registration from your County Tax office.
• How does the annual renewal work with the "Texas Reads" license plate?
  • You will receive a notice annually offering you the option to renew your "Texas Reads" plates for $30. This notice will come from the Texas Department of Transportation and is separate from your vehicle registration renewal that is sent by your local County Tax Assessor/Collector. Just send in your $30 to TxDOT. You will register your vehicle through your local tax office, and they will provide you with new stickers for your vehicle.
• Can I have my "Texas Reads" plates personalized?
  • Yes! Create your own personal statement in addition to "Texas Reads"! Add a $40 personalized fee to your $30 fee for "Texas Reads" specialty plates (total $70), and you can have up to 5 characters on your plate.

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