The Cooke County Commissioners Court on Nov. 12 approved an updated five-year Cooke County Library plan covering 2025 through 2030 and accepted a $38,289.18 donation from Pamela Jean Comer.

Library staff told the court the document is an annual update that changes only the effective years and updates the statistics submitted in the last state report. "Nothing else has changed in it besides the dates and the updated statistic information," library staff said. The clerk will sign the required page and the library will submit the update to the state library and post it on the county website.

Commissioners also considered and accepted the bequest from Pamela Jean Comer, a longtime library patron. Library staff described Comer's patronage and said she had told staff in the past, "you're in my will," before the estate gift arrived. Staff said they plan to set aside funds for a permanent library fixture to honor her generosity. Commissioner Snuggs moved to accept the donation; the court approved the motion by voice vote, 5-0.

The library director told the court the state library will likely rename long-range plans as "strategic plans" next year; staff said the county will follow that change in future submissions. The court did not discuss changes to services or staffing in connection with the plan update.

The next step is for county staff to execute the paperwork and for the library to receive and program the donation in accordance with county financial procedures.