MARATHON — Marathon Public Library recently was named one of 45 Texas libraries to receive a 2024 Texas Book Festival Collections Enhancement Grant. The purpose of this gift is “to share the diversity and breadth of literature” in selected communities across Texas.
Marathon Public Library will use its grant funds to expand, update and enhance its collection for patrons of all ages, and specifically to encourage a love of literature in children while keeping them engaged in the learning experience.
“We are deeply grateful to the Texas Book Festival for its support, and we are excited to add to our shelves the books our patrons want and need,” said Dara Cavness, Marathon Public Library director. “With this grant, our library will add almost 300 new books that will cover a wide range of entertaining and educational topics for readers of all ages.”
As the only source of year-round programming for children and adults in this small Far West Texas town, Marathon Public Library plays a vital role in promoting literacy and lifelong learning. In 2023 alone, the library hosted 277 children’s program classes and 38 adult program events.
The books purchased with this grant will complement and enhance the library’s programs and services, ensuring that all community members have access to books for learning, exploring new perspectives, improving creativity, accepting change, igniting curiosity and more. Funding for this grant comes from book sales at the Texas Book Festival and from generous donors. To date, Texas Book Festival has funded 1,442 grants, totaling more than $3.6 million.
