The National Endowment for the Humanities has selected the Coleman Public Library as a recipient of the We the People "A More Perfect Union" Bookshelf. Once again the NEH is able to provide the books to 4,000 of the nation's school and public libraries. The library received 20 hardcopies of books as well as a number of bonus selections including The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns.
The Books shelf arrives just as the nation begins its observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War which brought an end to slavery in America. In addition to the Ken Burns Civil War film the Bookshelf includes: Lincoln Shot: A President's Life Remembered; Lincoln in his own Word, an introduction to Lincoln's ideas presented in his own words; and, The Killer Angels, Michael Shaara's riveting account of the battle of Gettysburg. Following is a complete list of books now ready for checkout at the library:

"The Civil War" Geoffrey Ward Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Chains" Laurie Anderson Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Hitch" Jeanette Ingold Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Great Little Madison" Jean Fritz Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Killer Angels" Michael Shaara Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Cesar" Carmen Bernie-Grand Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Eagle Song" Joseph Bruchac Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Warriors Don't Cry" Melba Beals Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "12 Angry Men" Rose Reginald Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Angeles Asesino's" Michael Shaara Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "When Marion Sang" Pam Ryan Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "American Creation" Joseph Ellis Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Tico And The Golden Wings" Leo Lionni Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Darby" Jonathon Fuqua Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "The Souls Of Black Folk" W.E.B. DuBois Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Carver: A Life In Poems" Marilyn Nelson Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Lincoln: In His Own Words " Milton Meltzer and Stephen Alcorn Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "A More Perfect Union" Betsy Maestro Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Lincoln Shot" Barry Denenberg Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011 "Una Union Mas Perfecta" Betsy Y Giulio Maestro Added - Saturday, March 19, 2011

The Coleman Public Library is proud to announce itself as a recent recipient of the United Ways of Texas Satellite GO Center Grant, intended to help communities provide internet-based college readiness resources and tools free-of-charge to local students, parents and community members. United Ways of Texas was granted funds by the College for All Texans Foundation to open and expand Satellite GO Centers in communities statewide.

Beginning December 1, 2010, the library reserved the current Dell computers and printers from a previous United Ways of Texas GO Satellite grant for college students doing college work and for those individuals seeking college information and/or readiness resources. The new grant will provide funds for the purchase of two (2) Apple Mac computers and a heavy media output HP Color LaserJet Printer. With this enlargement, the center will now house, three (3) Dell computers, two (2) Macs, two (2) Dell color multifunction printers, and one (1) HP color heavy media printer. The center is located at the back of the main facility. Grant requirements include registering and signing out at the sign-in sheets located in the GO Center. The Satellite GO Center will operate under the library hours including Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Wednesday and Friday, 12 Noon - 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. -12 Noon. The library is excited to continue to provide a GO Center for our patrons seeking college information and reserve computers for patrons doing college work.

Satellite GO Centers are located in non-school settings such as public libraries, local workforce centers, or community centers. These GO Centers provide students with access to information about higher education, while also reaching out to those who may not have previously considered continuing their education beyond high school. More than a clearinghouse of information, they are centers of energy around which local residents, students, parents, and educators can explore new and exciting options for the future that will lead to a substantial and sustained increase in college-going rates and numbers among the populations who are served.

United Ways of Texas is the voluntary state association for Texas United Ways. With a membership of 75 local United Ways, UWT members represent the overwhelming majority of Texans. United Ways of Texas is dedicated to providing statewide leadership that measurably improves Texas as a place to live and do business.

The Coleman Public Library's technology expansion plans also include using BTOP grant funds in collaboration with the Texas State Library in the purchase of twelve (12) new Dell computers for the existing computer lab, five (5) new Dell computers designated for public access in the Young Adult Section, six (6) new Dell laptops to expand the mobile laptop unit in the Tillman Building, and new color HP printers for heavy media use. Funds for this expansion were announced this fall, but due to federal regulations and guidelines, purchase of the equipment will not be made until early next year.

Coleman Public Library is pleased to announce receipt of a major federal grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to upgrade and expand computing capabilities at the library. The $39,320 Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant will allow us to provide patrons with greater access to much-needed learning and economic opportunities.

The BTOP funds are part of a larger grant awarded to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for the statewide Technology Expertise, Access and Learning for All Texans project. The library's portion will go toward upgrade and installation of 12 new computers and two (2) printers in the Community Distance Learning Lab, five (5) new computers and two (2) printers for public access, and six (6) laptops and two (2) printers for the Tillman Training Room. ESL (English as a Second Language) software and GED software will be purchased to provide additional services for our community. In addition, new furnishings made possible through a Tocker grant will improve the computer Coleman County Community Network Distance Learning lab by providing new task chairs and new computer stations for the United Ways of Texas Satellite GO Center. The Tocker grant will also provide additional library shelving in the Young Adult section, paperback book section, and the Tocker Music section.

"We are so thrilled to receive this grant," says Sue Dossey, Librarian. "It will allow us to reach so many more people who need reliable computer access for homework, job searches, online learning and other means of growth or self-improvement. Without adequate computer access, people miss out on opportunities that can mean the difference between struggle and success."

The TEAL project will provide new or upgraded computer centers at more than 150 locations including 38 public libraries, community colleges, recreation centers and health facilities, as well as three mobile learning labs that will be used to provide computer training wherever it's needed. The goal is to expand technology expertise and access so all Texans can learn, work and prosper. The Coleman Public Library is the only library from the Big Country Library System invited by the TSL to participate in this special project.

For a complete list of TEAL project participants, go to: