By Robert Taylor
The City of Boerne’s Patrick Heath Public Library has been awarded an unprecedented grant of $694,000 from the Mellon Foundation, marking the largest grant in the library’s 72-year history.
The funding aims to support the expansion of the library’s offerings and provide much-needed enhancements to the public spaces utilized by thousands of patrons annually.
A large area of focus will be the expansion of the PHPL Memory Lab, providing a dedicated space, as well as hiring a memory lab coordinator.
Additionally, part of the initiative includes:
- Development of signature programs
- Gallery exhibits
- Online interactive story map related to freed colonies
- Artist-in-residence program
The Memory Lab will serve as a dedicated space for recording history, family stories, music, recipes, and expressive art, emphasizing the importance of experiential knowledge. Special attention will be given to engaging the local Hispanic community.
“The library has long focused on sharing stories and experiences that reflect on our common humanity, and this initiative supports that and our overarching vision of being a welcoming and empowering space for everyone in the community,” Library Director Kelly Skovbjerg said. “With this grant from the Mellon Foundation we will be able to make extraordinary steps to advance our work for the betterment of Boerne and the Texas Hill Country.”
As our area continues to grow, the library recognizes the need to capture perspectives and stories from the past, particularly from underrepresented communities, in the face of rapid regional growth.
“The projects that will be achieved over the next five years align with the library’s mission to be a dynamic force in the community and across the Texas Hill Country,” City Manager Ben Thatcher said. “The Patrick Heath Public Library is the heart of the Boerne community and with a strong focus on historical stewardship, a key tenet of the City, this space will only continue to expand its reach.”
Through the Memory Lab, the library will also collaborate with our neighboring Hill Country communities, with a goal of creating a lasting impact on regional historical preservation, storytelling, and community engagement.
