Road to Texas 200 + Lone Star Festival

A Road to Texas 200 World Record Book Drive

Texans coming together to collect books, support families, strengthen literacy, and create a statewide moment of generosity.

750,000 books collected from Texans and redistributed to organizations that support low-income families.

Helping Texas Families Through the Power of Books

As Texas moves toward its 200th anniversary in 2036, the Road to Texas 200 is about more than remembering our past. It is about building a stronger future.

In connection with the Lone Star Festival, we are beginning the planning process for a statewide book donation campaign with one bold goal: to collect 750,000 books from Texans and redistribute them to organizations that support low-income families.

This effort is designed to bring together readers, authors, schools, libraries, businesses, churches, civic groups, nonprofits, and communities across Texas to help place books into the hands of families, children, and individuals who need them most.

Why This Matters

Books open doors. They help children dream bigger, help families build home libraries, support learning and imagination, and remind people that their stories matter.

Support Families

Collected books will be directed toward organizations serving low-income families and underserved communities.

Build Literacy

Books placed in homes and community programs can encourage reading, learning, confidence, and imagination.

Unite Texas

This campaign gives Texans a simple way to work together for a meaningful statewide goal.

How This Will Work

We are now building the statewide team needed to make this effort possible. The plan is simple, but it will take local leadership across Texas.

Build Local Teams

We are looking for people across Texas who want to help organize book collection efforts in their city, county, school, business, church, library, or community group.

Create Collection Sites

Approved partners will help serve as local collection points where Texans can donate new or gently used books.

Collect Books Across Texas

Once the campaign officially launches, Texans will be invited to donate books through approved local sites.

Count and Track Donations

Each collection site will help count and report the number of books received so we can track progress toward the 750,000-book goal.

Redistribute Books

Collected books will be directed to approved organizations that support low-income families and communities in need.

Celebrate the Impact

The campaign will connect with the Lone Star Festival as a statewide celebration of reading, literacy, Texas authors, and community service.

What Kind of Help Is Needed?

This campaign will only work if Texans step forward to help build it. You do not need to have everything figured out before signing up.

Local book collection sites
Volunteer coordination
School and library partnerships
Business and sponsor outreach
Book sorting and counting
Transportation and storage support
Community promotion and media help
Connections to nonprofits serving families

Who Can Get Involved?

Readers, authors, teachers, librarians, students, parents, nonprofits, businesses, churches, civic groups, book clubs, community leaders, literacy advocates, festival supporters, and anyone who believes books can make a difference.

Whether you can collect 50 books, 500 books, or help organize an entire county, your support matters.

Sign Up to Help Bring This to Your Area

By signing up, you are not making a final commitment today. You are simply letting us know that you are interested in receiving more information and possibly helping in your area.

Help Texas Read Forward

The Road to Texas 200 is about honoring Texas stories, supporting Texas communities, and creating a stronger future for the next generation. Together, we can collect 750,000 books and help place them where they can do the most good.

A Road to Texas 200 Literacy Campaign

Read Texas Forward is a simple literacy fundraising campaign created by the Texas Authors Museum & Institute of History as part of the Road to Texas 200: The Texas Authors 2036 Campaign.

The goal is simple: help support literacy, Texas authors, reader engagement, and the future of Texas storytelling as we move toward Texas’ bicentennial in 2036.

Readers Give. Authors Grow. Texas Stories Continue.

Texas authors attend book festivals, signings, school programs, library events, markets, and community gatherings throughout the year. Read Texas Forward gives readers an easy way to support literacy and Texas authors directly from an author’s event table.

Participating authors receive a small table sign with a unique QR code. Readers scan the code, donate any amount they choose, and help support the mission of the Texas Authors Museum & Institute of History.

For every dollar donated through an author’s unique QR code, that author receives an equal amount in credit toward eligible TAMIH services.

How It Works

For Authors

Participating authors receive:

A personalized QR-code donation link
A printable table sign
Simple reader-facing language
Donation tracking connected to their author account
Service credit based on donations raised through their QR code

Authors place the sign on their table at public events. Readers scan and donate if they choose.

There is no extra product to sell and no complicated setup.

For Readers

Readers can scan the QR code at a participating author’s table and donate any amount.

Their gift helps support:

Literacy programs
Texas authors
Reader engagement
Texas literary preservation
Future museum development
Road to Texas 200 outreach

It is a simple way to support the author they are meeting while also helping strengthen Texas literary culture.

Author Service Credit

Every dollar donated through an author’s assigned QR code gives that author an equal amount in TAMIH service credit.

For example:

Reader Donations Through Author QR Code	Author Service Credit
$10	$10 credit
$25	$25 credit
$50	$50 credit
$100	$100 credit

Service credits may be used toward eligible TAMIH services, such as:

Marketing support
Advertising opportunities
Author consultations
Workshops and classes
Event opportunities
Membership upgrades
Promotional programs
Other approved TAMIH services

Credits have no cash value and may only be used toward approved TAMIH programs and services.

Why Read Texas Forward Matters

Many readers want to support authors and literacy, but they may not always know how.

Read Texas Forward makes support simple.

A reader can scan.
A reader can give any amount.
A reader can help move Texas stories forward.

At the same time, authors receive practical credit they can use to access services that help them grow, promote their work, and remain active in the Texas literary community.

This campaign creates a circle of support:

Readers support literacy.
Authors receive useful service credit.
TAMIH strengthens Texas literary history.
Texas stories continue.

Part of the Road to Texas 200

Road to Texas 200 is a long-term campaign leading to Texas’ bicentennial in 2036. Its mission is to celebrate, preserve, and strengthen the voices of Texas authors while building a lasting literary legacy for future generations.

Read Texas Forward is one practical way authors and readers can participate now.

Every scan, every donation, and every author table helps build momentum toward 2036.

Where Authors Can Use the Sign

Authors may display their Read Texas Forward QR-code sign at:

Book festivals
Author signings
Library events
School programs
Farmers markets
Vendor fairs
Speaking engagements
Book club events
Community festivals
Literary conferences
Texas Authors events

Any public-facing author event can become an opportunity to support literacy and Texas storytelling.

Simple Reader Message

When readers scan the QR code, they will see a donation message such as:

Support literacy and Texas authors. Give any amount to help Texas read forward.

That is the heart of the campaign.

Simple. Clear. Easy to understand.

Who Can Participate

The program is available to approved Texas authors participating through the Texas Authors Museum & Institute of History, Texas Authors Success Center, or other approved TAMIH programs.

Authors must use their assigned QR code so donations can be properly tracked and credited.

Program Guidelines

Donations are made directly to the Texas Authors Museum & Institute of History.

Author credits are based only on donations received through the author’s assigned QR code.

Credits are not cash payments.

Credits may only be used toward approved TAMIH services.

Credits are not transferable unless approved by TAMIH.

TAMIH reserves the right to determine eligible services, reporting timelines, credit expiration dates, and program participation requirements.

Request Your Read Texas Forward Sign

Texas authors who want to participate may request a personalized Read Texas Forward QR-code sign.

Once approved, TAMIH will provide the author with the materials needed to begin using the program at events.

Request Your Author QR Sign

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Subject Line: Read Texas Forward QR Sign Request

Please include:

Your name
Author name, if different
Email address
Website or author page
Upcoming event, if applicable

Call to Action

Help Texas Read Forward

Readers, authors, libraries, schools, sponsors, and communities all have a role to play in preserving and strengthening Texas stories.

Read Texas Forward makes it easy to begin.

Scan. Give. Support literacy. Support Texas authors.

Readers give. Authors grow. Texas stories continue.

What is Road to Texas 200?

Road to Texas 200: The Texas Authors 2036 Campaign is a statewide literary and public campaign leading to March 2, 2036, the 200th anniversary of Texas.

Who created the campaign?

The campaign was created by Texas Authors Museum & Institute of History, Inc.

Who can participate?

Readers, authors, educators, libraries, sponsors, partners, and supporters across Texas and beyond can participate.

Is this only for authors?

No. Authors are an important part of the campaign, but readers are at the heart of it, and educators, libraries, sponsors, and the public all have a role to play.

Why does 2036 matter?

March 2, 2036, marks the 200th anniversary of Texas.

How do I join?

You can join by signing up through the site, following updates, exploring events, or contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

How can my organization become involved?

Organizations can reach out through the Sponsors & Partners page or the Contact page.

Road to Texas 200: The Texas Authors 2036 Campaign is a statewide literary and public engagement initiative created to build momentum toward March 2, 2036.

This page is for media, interview requests, promotional use, and campaign-related inquiries.

About the Campaign

Road to Texas 200: The Texas Authors 2036 Campaign is a statewide public campaign created by Texas Authors to celebrate readers, writers, educators, libraries, literary culture, and public participation on the road to the 200th anniversary of Texas in 2036.

Media Inquiries

For media requests, interviews, speaking inquiries, partnership discussions, or campaign information, please contact:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Contact Media Relations

News & Updates

Intro Text

Follow the latest news, campaign milestones, announcements, public opportunities, and updates as Road to Texas 200 continues to grow.

Suggested Joomla intro text

This page will feature ongoing updates related to the campaign, new events, participation opportunities, and important announcements from Texas Authors.

CTA

Check back for the latest updates.

There are many ways to take part in Road to Texas 200.

Whether you are a reader, author, educator, library supporter, sponsor, or community member, this campaign is designed to welcome participation.

Ways to Join the Campaign

You can get involved by joining as a reader, joining as an author, following campaign updates, exploring events, sharing the campaign, or reaching out about sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

Start Here

Join as a Reader
Join as an Author
Explore Events by Year
Become a Sponsor
Contact Us