At a time when public discourse has questioned the relevance of libraries and the role of librarians, the data tells a very different story: Texans across political perspectives, and demographics strongly support their libraries, trust library professionals, and believe in maintaining broad access to information.
Libraries aren’t just in Texas.
They are truly Texas.
A statewide public opinion poll conducted by KRC Research on behalf of the Texas Library Association confirms that Texans don’t just appreciate their libraries, they rely on them.
95% of Texans agree that public libraries play a vital role in providing free and equitable access to information, promoting literacy, and supporting workforce readiness.
90% say libraries should be treated as an essential public service—placing them alongside other critical community infrastructure.
92% of Texans believe librarians should ensure collections meet local informational, educational, and cultural needs. And 89% trust their ability to select materials that reflect community needs and interests.
94% of Texans agree libraries should provide access to a broad range of information and ideas, and 80% support offering materials even if some community members strongly disapprove.
Libraries are places where everyone is welcome, where opportunity is shared, and where communities come together. That spirit—open, practical, and rooted in local values—is what makes them not just valuable, but unmistakably Texan.
This project was funded by a grant from the Mellon Foundation.
Methodology Statement: KRC Research conducted a comprehensive survey among 1,000 Texas adults, 18 years and older. The random sample survey was offered in both English and Spanish and was conducted both online and by phone (landline and cell phone), from Nov. 20 to Dec. 19, 2025. The sample was drawn from an online panel and from phone sample, weighted to be demographically representative by Texas region, age, sex, race/ethnicity, household income, and educational attainment.
