Residents and visitors of South Brewster County who have long relied on the Terlingua Common School District (TCSD) for library services are soon to witness a transformation.
For years, the school library at Terlingua Common School District has been the primary source of library services for the region, offering not only a vast array of books but also serving as a haven for quiet work, internet use, and printing and copying facilities. However, a shift came in late 2022 when TCSD informed Brewster County officials that they would no longer permit public access to school facilities due to augmented security measures and regulations. Despite this, TCSD maintained their commitment to serving the public by continuing to offer library materials through their online catalogue, facilitating pick-ups and drop-offs at the school’s office window.
In light of these changes, the Big Bend Citizens Alliance, a group comprising concerned citizens, parents, teachers, and library volunteers from neighboring communities, sprung into action. The Alliance, spearheaded by President Joselyn Fenstermacher and in conjunction with TCSD Superintendent Reagan Reed, reached out to the Brewster County Commissioners Court. Their collective objective was clear: reevaluate the current contract for public library services and discover a way forward.
Their endeavors bore fruit as the Alliance successfully secured an allocation of Brewster County’s American Rescue Plan Act funds. These funds will be directed towards establishing a new South County Public Library that caters to the residents of South Brewster County.
Community engagement remains at the forefront of this project. In a bid to include as much public feedback as possible, volunteers from the Big Bend Citizens Alliance have curated a survey for both full-time and part-time residents, inviting them to share their perspectives on the forthcoming library.
Residents interested in partaking in the survey or wishing to learn more about the South County Library Project are encouraged to visit: https://bigbendcitizensalliance.org/south-county-library-project.
