Presented as the keynote address at the Library Research Seminar, University of Maryland, October 7, 2010, this essay identifies and explores three agendas ever appropriate for study, the pursuits of which are especially needed now. They are as follows: to (1) explore the historical dimension of library topics, (2) revive study of the institution of the library in its historical dimension, and (3) orient research to lead adaptation to the times, particularly with regard to the relationships between libraries and other components of the information domain. Examples of opportunities and insights to be gained from study of topics in these agendas are drawn from the experience of exploring the history of the state library and archives of Texas. (Contains 2 footnotes.)