Tom Charlton Appointed Director Of Texas Collection
Dr. Thomas L. Charlton, professor of history who has served as acting director of the Texas Collection at Baylor University, has been appointed director of the major special collection among Baylor's library facilities.
"Dr. Charlton has made significant strides forward in the Texas Collection since last summer when he took over as acting director," said Dr. Reagan Ramsower, dean of libraries and chief information officer. "It feels like the Texas Collection is at the dawn of a new era - new donors have emerged, the endowment earnings have grown significantly, some much needed physical changes have been made to maximize the limited space in the Carroll Library, a revised mission for the Texas Collection has emerged, and an outstanding new Texas Collection web site has been created."
In directing the Texas Collection, Charlton will be responsible for a collection that features a vast repository of materials of every kind and on every subject pertaining to Texas and Texas culture. Included in the collection, which was begun in 1923, are books (both rare and current), periodicals, maps, manuscript collections, company records, Texas denominational histories, university archives, photographs, Central Texas county archives, oral histories on numerous subjects, electronic and microform sources, newspapers and Baylor graduate theses and dissertations, among other items.
"The Texas Collection has long been one of my favorite parts of our university and I am honored to serve as director following a year as acting director," Charlton said. "Now in its 81st year, the Texas Collection is both a beautiful, venerable library and quiet place for research and reflection and a dynamic, distinguished library/archival center capable of aiding Baylor in reaching several of the 2012 Vision goals pertaining to visibility and academic excellence."
As director, Charlton plans for the special collection to sponsor more public programming including Texas-related symposia and publication programs. He also hopes to make the public more aware that the Texas Collection serves as a state government depository and that Baylor is the only private university in the state where all Texas state agencies regularly deposit records and reports.
Charlton received his bachelor's degree from Baylor and his master's degree and doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. From 1962-70, he taught American and
British history at San Antonio College. He joined the Baylor faculty in 1970. In addition to his teaching duties in the department of history, Charlton served as director of the Institute for Oral History and as acting director of the program for regional studies.
Since 1993, he has served in the general administration of the university, as assistant vice president for academic affairs, vice provost for academic affairs and research, vice provost for research and as vice provost for administration.
For more information, contact Charlton at 710-7737.