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Alpine Public Library reports volunteer hours, new youth services and funding concerns from federal grant uncertainty
Summary
The Alpine Public Library reported volunteer contributions, expansion of youth programming and GED successes, but warned staff about potential federal funding disruptions from the Institute of Museum and Library Services that could affect state grants.
The Alpine Public Library provided council with an operational update covering programs, volunteer support, building improvements and concerns about federal grant uncertainty.
Don Wedderauer, executive director, highlighted new youth programming led by a recently hired youth services librarian, a successful GED and ESL program with multiple students, adult classes planned (first aid/CPR), and library expansion plans tied to grant support. The library reported 60 volunteers contributed more than 6,200 hours last year and said the library and county together supply roughly 30–35 percent of the nonprofit library’s annual budget; the remainder comes from grants, fundraising and donations.
Wedderauer described recent grant-processing disruptions at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which administers federal funding that flows to the Texas State Library; he said some staff were placed on administrative leave and grant processing was on hold, and cautioned that this could affect state grant awards used by Alpine. He noted the library’s reliance on those grants and urged attention to local funding stability.
Other highlights included collaborative programs with McDonald Observatory (dark-sky programs), distribution of a teen survey to shape teen services, plans for first-aid/CPR courses with limited class sizes, and a patio sale timed for a local gem-and-mineral show. Wedderauer said the library’s accreditation paperwork was submitted to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for the next period.
No council action was required; councilmembers praised library services and volunteers.
