The Tennessee State Library & Archives, a division of the Department of State, collects and preserves books, records, and other documents of historical and reference value, focusing on items about Tennessee and Tennesseans. To preserve Tennessee's history for current and future generations, the Library & Archives houses the archives of state government, documents, and recordings from legislative proceedings, records from every Tennessee courthouse, copies of all surviving Tennessee newspapers, and records from families, businesses, religious and civic organizations. The Library & Archives is home to many irreplaceable historical documents, including Tennessee's Constitutions, letters from Tennessee's three presidents, Civil War diaries, records from 55 former Tennessee governors, maps, and original records of the State of Franklin. Anyone interested in Tennessee's history and culture is encouraged to come and explore the Library & Archives collections and experience Tennessee’s story through interactive exhibits highlighting the state’s most precious historical documents. The Library & Archives library, microfilm and manuscripts reading rooms are open for research Tuesday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT.