Alkek Library

The Albert B. Alkek Library is the architectural centerpiece and intellectual hub of the Texas State University San Marcos campus. It offers library patrons the opportunity to explore, create and discover in an expansive seven-story building that is packed with resources, technology and spaces for quiet or collaborative research and study. The Wittliff Collections of Southwestern Writers and Southwestern & Mexican Photography and Texas Music is located on the seventh floor of the Alkek Library. Committed to preserving the creative legacy of the Southwest to instruct and inspire future generations, The Wittliff's cultural pillars provide the keystone for discovery of the region's heritage through thousands of archival treasures.

The university's library was named, in 1991, for oilman, rancher, and philanthropist, Albert B. Alkek. The Albert B. Alkek Library serves as the main, central academic library supporting the Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University) community. As a storehouse for United States and Texas government documents, the library receives a large number of government publications from the state and 60% of all federal publications. The mission of the library, as stated by University Officials, "is to advance the teaching and research mission of the University and support students, faculty, staff and the greater community by providing patron‐centered services, comprehensive and diverse collections, individual and collaborative learning environments, innovative technologies, and opportunities to explore, create and discover."

Among the Library's seven floors, students encounter a huge volume of research materials, printed texts, audio-visual materials, and creative technology resources. The Library encompasses niche collections which are rare to the University. These holdings include The Wittliff Collections housed on the Library's seventh floor, the King of the Hill archives, major work of significant writers such as Cormac McCarthy, Sandra Cisneros and Sam Shepard, and the Lonesome Dove collection.

Accessing the Library
The library's online catalog allows anyone to locate books, DVDs, journal holdings or other material. Library materials are in many cases accessible to the general public. Many Texas residents (not just Texas State students, faculty, and staff) are able to check out materials through the TexShare program. Access to e-books or databases is limited to current Texas State students, staff and faculty. Creative technologies are located on the 1st floor and assist faculty and students with audio and video production and editing; GIS and geospatial applications; virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, 3D printing and maker space fabrications; and 2D and 3D content creation.