Bulverde Area Rural Library District (BARLD)
In January 2000 a special election established the Bulverde Area Rural Library District in the western portion of Comal County, funded by a ½ % sales tax, per Texas Local Government Code 326, which established Library Districts.
There is currently only one library in the District, the Mammen Family Public Library. The Library District does not receive any property taxes and only benefits if you shop in the western portion of Comal County.
Mission and Vision
The mission of the Bulverde Area Rural Library District (BARLD) is to promote literacy, inspire a lifelong love of learning, and support the arts, science and literary needs of our community.
Our vision is to provide access to valuable educational resources and learning opportunities, no matter what age or stage of life, in a safe and welcoming space.
BARLD Board Meeting
The BARLD Trustees meet monthly, normally on the 3nd Thursday of the month at 9:30am. Meetings are open to the public, please register at the link below. The agenda will be posted on this webpage and in the library 72 hours prior to the meeting. The following meeting(s) are currently scheduled:
Thursday, January 21, 2021 9:30am
If you need help, please call the library at 830.438.4864 Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm. You will find current agendas and minutes posted on this page.
Board of Trustees
| Donna Harris | President |
| Dale Pillow | Vice President |
| Deborah Neubauer | Treasurer |
| Michele Grauerholz | Secretary |
| Dr. Judith Fleming | Trustee at large |
Email the Board
- BARLD Public Policy
- BARLD Organization Documents
- Financial Policy and Disclosures
- Minutes
- Agendas
- MFP Library Monthly Reports
- BARLD Elections
- Strategic Plan
Att B-1 Library Bill of Rights
Att B-2 Library Materials and Services
Att B-3 Overview of Works in Collection
Att B-4 Freedom to View Statement
Att B-5 Freedom to Read Statement
Att B-6 Free Access to Libraries for Minors
Att B-9 Confidentiality of Library Records
Att B-10 Patron Request for Purchase
Att B-11 Statement of Concern about Library Resources
Att B-12 Computer and Internet Use
Att B-13 Electronic Devices Borrowing Form
Att B-14 TX Business Org. Code
Bulverde Area Rural Library District Audit 2019-2020
Attachments to the Financial Policy:
- Att C-1 Approved Financial Institutions
- Att C-2 Schedule of Expenditures Authorization
- Att C-3 Purchases over 500
- Att C-4 Non-Bid Purchases
- Att C-5 Competitive Bidding
- Att C-6 Evaluation of Bids Proposals Awards Contracts
- Att C-7 Guidelines for Sole Source Purchases
- Att C-8 Inventory Systems Schedule
- Att C-9 Donations for Books Subscriptions Equipment
- Att C-11 Code of Conduct
- Att C-12 Conflict of Interest Questionnaire
- Att C-13 Conflict Disclosure Statement
- Att C-14 Response Plan to Fraud Theft Corruption
- Att C-15 Disclosure Form Fraud Theft Corruption
- Att C-16 Approval Form-Quarterly Investment Report
- Att C-17 Adoption of Annual Review of the Public Funds Financial Investment Policy
- Att C-18 Sources of Non-Sales Tax Revenue
- Att C-19 Adoption of Annual Review of the Non-Sales Tax Revenue Financial Investment Policy
- Att C-20 Requests for Qualifications RFQ for Professional Services
To request prior minutes or any records requests, please send a written request to the Library Director via email at director@mfplibrary.org or by letter to 131 Bulverde Crossing, Bulverde, TX 78163.
The Mammen Family Public Library Director is hired by the BARLD Trustees to manage the day to day operations of the library. Here you will find monthly reports on those operations.
The Board of Trustees are elected by the voters of the Bulverde Area Rural Library District every two years–three positions in even years, two positions in odd years.
In 2016 the BARLD Trustees commissioned a 10 year Master Facilities plan and in 2018 initiated the first phase of the plan, expanding the existing facility. The 2018-2019 expansion/renovation was funded through bonds from an interlocal agreement with Comal County and was complete in September 2019.
Resources for Trustees
Library Associations
Texas State Library and Archives Commission Our library submits annual statistics and receives accreditation from the state library which allows us to qualify for grants and interlibrary loan services and reimbursement
American Library Association (ALA) Lobbies for libraries nationally and establishes accreditation for library schools master’s degree programs; holds annual conferences; provides training for libraries
Public Library Association (PLA) A division of ALA whose bi-annual conference has topics more relevant to our library; provides training for libraries
Texas Library Association (TLA) Hosts an annual conference which we encourage our employees to attend; provides training for libraries
Connecting Texas Libraries Statewide (CTLS) A Texas non-profit specifically supporting smaller libraries; provides training and contracts for discounts from vendors for members; holds the annual summer reading performance showcase
Public Information Act
The Public Information Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 552 Texas statute on public information
Public Information Act Handbook – Texas Attorney General The Texas Public Information Act sets requirements for the ability of citizens to access information on action taken by governmental bodies. This transparency provides Texans with a more omplete understanding of how their government works, and, when necessary, provides them an opportunity to hold their public officials accountable.
About the Public Information Act – Texas State Library and Archives Commission Recap of the Public Information Act produced by the TSLAC
Open Meetings Act
Required Open Meeting Training for Trustees Effective January 1, 2006, elected and appointed public officials are required by a state law to receive training in Texas open government laws. The Office of the Attorney General offers free video training courses, which were developed in compliance with a mandate from the 79th Texas Legislature that the Attorney General establish the formal training necessary to ensure that all elected and appointed government officials have a good command of both open records and open meetings laws. We are required to have a copy of your Open Meetings Act certification within 6 months of your taking office
Public Funds Investment Act
Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA) Training Options through TML Includes options for training from TML for Public Funds Investment Act. New Trustee Treasurers need 10 hours in the first year, then 10 hours over the next two years to maintain regulations.
PFIA online training from virtual learning concepts An online link to PFIA training. Ask Library Director to get a $25 off coupon through TML.
Trustee Training Resources
United for Libraries – Trustee Academy The Trustee Academy is a series of online courses to help Trustees become exceptionally proficient in their roles on behalf of their libraries. All of the online courses are taught by a professional in the field and are priced both a la carte so individual attendees can pick and choose what courses are important to them, and as a full curriculum that will reflect discounted pricing per course. In addition, a board of Trustees can sign up for further discounts. Login: texaslibraries Pswd: lonestar1845
Texas Library Districts
Texas Statutes Chapter 326 – In Texas, a Library District is a legally defined area with a percentage of collected sales taxes going to support the local library as established by this code.
Texas Library Districts Discussion Group website The Library District Discussion Group (a standing committee of the Texas Library Association) hosts a biannual meeting of library directors and trustees each February and August. The meetings include presentations by various districts on topics of interest.
Sign up for the Texas Library District List Serv Discuss library issues in depth with other library directors and trustees through a list serve administered by the Texas State Library.
Other Resources
Texas Public Library Statistics and Accreditation Public libraries are accredited in the Government Code 441.127(a), Library Systems, under the authority of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Annually, public libraries must submit a statistics report to the state by April 30 to remain accredited.
Expect More – Demanding Better Libraries For Today’s Complex World David Lankes walks you through what to expect out of your library. Lankes argues that, to thrive, communities need libraries that go beyond bricks and mortar, and beyond books and literature.