El Progreso Memorial Library

Join Mrs. Martha and guest reader Jasmine Kapaka for Story Time!
Wednesday, September 30 at 10:30 a.m. in person or via live on Facebook.

Mrs. Jasmine will be reading:🎃
Five Little Pumpkins by Tiger Tales and Ben Mantle
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams

What a journey these past 2.5 years have been. 👏

Thank you to everyone who believed in this vision, gave, shared, encouraged, opened doors, made introductions, and helped us keep moving forward. This milestone belongs to our entire community. 💚

And while we’re celebrating this moment, we’re not done yet. There’s still so much more to build for El Progreso Memorial Library, Archives & Museum and for Uvalde. 🌅

Important information from El Progreso Memorial Library:

El Progreso Memorial Library Meets Mabee Foundation Challenge, Raises More Than $6.1 Million for Transformation

A vision first imagined in 2019 is moving toward reality with construction funding secured and a new chapter ahead for Uvalde County

El Progreso Memorial Library has met the Mabee Foundation challenge and raised more than $6.1 million for construction and renovation, surpassing the estimated $5.9 million construction cost for its Next Generation Capital Campaign. While this construction goal has been reached, the larger vision continues. The library is still raising funds for museum exhibits and interpretive spaces, as well as a $5 million endowment to sustain library operations and programs for generations to come. More
than $1 million has already been raised toward the endowment.

First envisioned in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the project will transform El Progreso Memorial Library into an updated, accessible community hub designed to serve Uvalde County for generations. Planned improvements include expanded children's and teen spaces, a recording studio, upgraded security, expanded museum and archival space, a teaching kitchen, stage and gathering areas, and a Maker Space equipped with tools such as 3D printers and sewing machines.

The expanded facility will create additional opportunities for education, creativity, cultural preservation, community connection, and access to resources, while providing new space to preserve and share the history of Uvalde.

Mabee Foundation Challenge

The Mabee Foundation provided a defining catalyst for the final phase of the
construction effort by issuing a challenge to El Progreso Memorial Library. The challenge gave the community a clear goal and helped rally donors, foundations, volunteers, and supporters around completing the $5.9 million construction project.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Mabee Foundation for giving us that challenge,” said Tammie Sinclair, Director of El Progreso Memorial Library. “The Mabee Foundation challenged us to finish what we started, and our community answered.”

Kate Marmion Foundation

The Kate Marmion Foundation played a pivotal role at two critical points in the campaign. The effort began with an anonymous $1 million lead gift, which Kate Marmion matched with a $1 million commitment, helping the library meet its first major fundraising challenge.

When the Mabee challenge created the final push toward the construction goal, Kate Marmion again stepped forward with an extraordinary $1.5 million commitment, helping the library close the gap and meet the Mabee challenge.

“Mabee challenged us to reach the finish line, and Kate Marmion stepped up when we needed them,” Sinclair said. “We simply would not be celebrating this moment without their extraordinary generosity and belief in what El Progreso Memorial Library means to our community.”

Building Through Relationships

The project has also been shaped by relationships developed through the library’s work with Humanities Texas. That partnership provided support that helped bring Sinclair back to Uvalde in December 2023. Through that work, Sinclair connected with Betty Hewell, who began working directly with the library in June 2024.

Together, Hewell, Sinclair, and the library team launched the Next Generation Capital Campaign on July 31, 2024, building on the vision established in 2019.

The library extends its heartfelt thanks to Betty for her guidance, partnership, expertise, persistence, and belief in the project.

A Community Investment

The library also recognizes the Next Generation Capital Campaign Committee, Grassroots Committee, El Progreso Club, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners whose time, advocacy, and support helped bring the project to this point.

The construction goal has been reached, but the larger vision continues. The library is still raising funds for museum exhibits and interpretive spaces and a $5 million endowment to provide long-term support for library operations and programs. More than $1 million has already been raised toward the endowment, leaving approximately $4 million still needed.

“This is a moment to celebrate, and we absolutely are,” Sinclair said. “A vision that began in 2019 is finally becoming a reality. We are grateful to everyone who has carried this vision forward, especially the Mabee Foundation and Kate Marmion Foundation for helping make this possible.”

To learn more about the Next Generation Capital Campaign, see the project’s progress, or support the museum exhibits and endowment, visit
elprogreso.org/building-fund-capital-campaign or contact El Progreso Memorial Library.

🐦🌙 Calling all Uvaldeans to go to protect birds during this season of migration!

Turn off or dim non-essential lighting outside and inside from 11 pm to 6 am during September 5–October 29. Each of us can do our part to protect millions of migrating birds soaring across our Lone Star skies. 🐦✨

🌿 As a Nature-Smart Library, El Progreso Memorial Library is proud to encourage our community to take simple steps that help protect wildlife and connect us with the natural world around us. 💚🌎 🐦✨

Learn more about Lights Out Texas at: https://www.audubon.org/texas/projects/lights-out-texas or Audubon Texas

💻 Tech Tuesday

Need a little tech help? We’ve got you covered!

Stop by during our open hour for friendly, one-on-one help with computers, iPads, smartphones, cameras, apps, and more. Whether you’re learning the basics, troubleshooting a problem, or just have a tech question, bring your device and we’ll help you figure it out!

🎀📚 DOLLY DAY AT EL PROGRESO MEMORIAL LIBRARY! 📚🎀

Today, September 25 (9/25) — aka 9 to 5! — we’re celebrating the one and only Dolly Parton and the incredible legacy she built by putting books into the hands of children. 💕✨

Dolly has shown us that a love of reading can open doors, inspire big dreams, and change lives. Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, millions of children have received books of their very own, helping make reading a part of childhood from the very beginning. 📖💗

So today, we’re celebrating Dolly, books, and the joy of reading!

👗 Wear pink, fringe, rhinestones, or your best Western look
📚 Check out a Dolly book
🎨 Enjoy Dolly-inspired activities
📖 DEAR: Drop Everything AND Read
💝 Donate a new or gently used children’s book to help us keep books in the hands of kids in our community

Dolly has reminded us that books, imagination, and a little bit of dreaming can take you anywhere. 🤠🦋💕

Happy Dolly Day! Let’s celebrate her legacy by sharing the gift of reading. 📚🎀

🐄🌟 Interested in the Uvalde County Junior Livestock Show? 🌟🐄

Join us at El Progreso Memorial Library on Friday, September 25, from 2–4 PM to learn more about the 2027 Uvalde County Junior Livestock Show and how your family can get involved!

This program is for 4-H members ages 8–18 (grades 3–12) and will help families learn about registration, required forms, deadlines, and preparation for the stock show.

🌟 New to the livestock show? Learn about the novice division and how to get started!

📅 September 25, 2026
⏰ 2–4 PM
📍 El Progreso Memorial Library , Gate 1
600 block of Park Street

Come learn, ask questions, and discover the many ways 4-H can help youth explore new interests and participate in Uvalde County projects!

🐄💜💚 Whether you’re interested in livestock, photography, cooking, shop projects, or judging, there’s a 4-H opportunity for you!