The Bishop Byrne Chapter has morphed from humble beginnings to a dynamic and diverse group.

First of all, In 1931,Father Foik and forty-five librarians met to form the Catholic Library Conference of the Southwest.  They met twice and published information about the Conference.   This group seemingly went inactive.  In 1943, Mother Cecelia Moore, OSU, of Ursuline Academy of Galveston,with the support of the Most Reverend C. E. Byrne, Bishop of Galveston-Houston Chapter, was elected chairman.  This unit was listed in the Catholic Library Association (CLA) Handbook from 1943-1945. Unfortunately, when these leaders were replaced, enthusiasm waned and the chapter disappeared from the CLA roster.
     In 1956, a group of librarians (predominantly high school and college) with              Sister Mary Agatha VI of Incarnate Word Academy in Houston established the Galveston Catholic Library Association. The main aim of the group was to aid non-professional librarians serving in the parochial schools. In 1958, the group became affiliated with the national body of CLA and became known as the Galveston-Houston Unit.  The chairman was Reverend Frances L. Murphy, CSB.
     In 1969 the Galveston-Houston Unit changed its name to the Bishop Byrne Unit of the Catholic Library Association.  The name was chosen to honor the man who was an early “guiding light” in the field of books and libraries.  The Bishop Byrne Unit through the years has sponsored numerous worthwhile projects and activities in addition to workshops for volunteers.  With the assistance of Mary Regina Book Store, a book list entitled The Guide to Growth Through Books, was compiled and published.  In addition, Mrs. Ceclia Hines composed and printed a prayer to St. Peter Canisius, Patron of Libraries.  Members of the unit were presenters at Diocesan Teacher Institutes.  Eventually, after an exhaustive school survey, a consultation service on the diocesan level was suggested.  As a result, a school library consultant was placed on the staff of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools.  

The newest decade for the unit now called the Bishop Byrne Chapter, has been active with semi-annual meetings hosted by member schools as well as the Archdiocese Catholic Schools Office.  These years have brought much change in technology and the modes of delivering meeting presentations grew as well.  

Rrobust professional development workshops in preparation for accreditation visits, round table discussions, make-it take-it events, author and illustrator visits, vendor fairs and fellowship are just a few of the activities shared by the members. Newly created awards have been presented to leaders, authors, and mentors that see the role of librarians with the Houston - Galveston area as the backbone of schools, parishes, as well as the Catholic community.  Members of Bishop Byrne Chapter have been graciously assisted by several thoughtful and generous benefactors.  These include the University of St. Thomas, Presidents office of Catholic Outreach and Parker School Uniforms. 

Growth and change in the nature of information has made this group more essential
to the needs of librarians and library managers for addressing a host of library programming issues. Bishop Byrne Chapter in the process of revising its bylaws to expand its officer corp to more fully integrate changing technology and communication for the membership.  This new slate of officers looks toward the future as they guide the group with their own imprint of what librarianship will look like for 2010 and beyond.