Six months ago, Paul Phelan became director of the Bandera Kronkosky County Library, since then, Phelan has vastly expanded the library’s services and programs, and has plans for more.
Phelan’s numerous accomplishments since January have grown the library’s offerings, including their summer reading program, which met on Thursdays and Saturdays this summer, and will cap off July 25 with a lightsaber combat demonstration from the Jakku Temple Saber Guild.
In addition to the summer reading programs, Phelan also grew the library’s collections, both online and print. One such project has been expanding their young adult collection and teen room.
“I came in and the grant funds were there, so I was able to get that project going and take it to completion,” said Phelan.
The library was able to expand the shelves and selections in the teen room, as well as add an all new Xbox.
Phelan was also able to grow the library’s online collection, using additional funds specifically to get new bestselling ebooks closer to when they come out, as opposed to the previous time spent sitting on a waiting list with other libraries.
Paul Phelan started his career working in libraries at an early age. In Tulsa Oklahoma, he worked up from being a shelver, from working the circulation desk, to running the reference business and technology branches. After working as a teacher for multiple years, Phelan realized he missed working in libraries. So,he decided to get his master’s degree in library science at Texas Woman's University.
“I was still able to work and I was working full time, but I was able to go to school too,” said Phelan.
Phelan worked as a library director for years, in Greenville, Texas, in Corsicana, and in Kyle. After retiring from Kyle, he returned to teaching, where he taught middle school science in San Antonio. One day, he saw an opening for the director position of the library in Bandera.
“I said, you know what, I really want to work here,” said Phelan.
He began his tenure here in January of 2024. In addition to what he has accomplished so far, he also details what is coming soon for the library. The library plans to launch a new streaming service through Kanopy beginning July 1, 2024. Patrons will be able to receive a certain amount of tickets with their library card, and use those to watch movies on their own device via the service.
“It has all kinds of excellent films, award winning films, classic films, educational films, children’s programming through PBS,” added Phelan.
Phelan is also launching a new Young Adult program for the fall, as part of the library’s expansion of the teen room and the young adult book selection.
Outside of the library, Phelan is an avid motorcyclist. He is a member of a local motorcycle club, and loves to go on rides around the area, he said. He enjoys the Hill Country and enjoys the scenery he sees on rides on his motorcycle, he said.
Phelan cites his favorite book as “Little House on the Prairie.” He believes it to be a quintessential picture of America, and it brings nostalgic and sentimental memories of both his childhood, and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s.
With the many programs Paul Phelan has both started, and is soon to start at the library, he said is sure to be here for a long time.
The Bandera Kronkosky County Library is open from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M., on Monday through Friday, and it is open from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. on Saturday.
