08 Oct Bee County Library Wins Competitive Grant to Boost Digital Access

The Joe Barnhart Bee County Library has secured a $2,500 grant from the Texas Book Festival to expand its digital e-book offerings.

The new funding will allow the library to broaden its digital catalog, making materials more accessible to residents living across rural Bee County who face transportation or geographic constraints. This is the second time the library has received support from the organization, having previously utilized a grant in 2019 to build out its Spanish-language print and digital titles.

Securing the grant is a notable achievement for the rural facility, as the Texas Book Festival’s Collection Development Grant program is highly competitive. Public libraries across the state apply annually, with funding awarded to only a select group of applicants based on community need, budget limitations, and effective strategies for reaching underserved readers.

The award comes ahead of the 31st annual Texas Book Festival, scheduled for Nov. 14–15 at the State Capitol grounds in Austin. The free event features more than 280 authors, panel discussions, book signings, and family activities.

Library cardholders can access the current digital collection and watch for incoming e-book additions directly through the Joe Barnhart Bee County Library.