About Us
As a 501(c)(3) public library serving the Uvalde City and County communities, El Progreso Memorial Library transforms lives through FREE user services and programs in the one place in the Uvalde area where everyone is welcomed! There is no discrimination against age, race, religion, sex, gender, disability, national origin, or political beliefs.
El Progreso Memorial Library was founded in 1903 by a group of genteel pioneer women who wished to start a new civic organization, El Progreso Club in Uvalde. They set three goals: self-improvement, civic improvement, and, thankfully for us, the founding of a public library. Current members of the El Progreso Club had the foresight in 2004 to build our $5.7 million state-of-art facility with room for future growth. A total of 36,000sf is available to accommodate all the events, exhibits, resources, and services provided annually for our community and oversees the informational, reference, research, inspirational, and recreational reading needs of Uvalde and the geographically-isolated Southwest Region of Texas -- a 17,564 square mile area which includes Uvalde County and the counties of Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Kinney, LaSalle, McMullen, Medina, Real, Starr, Webb, and Zavala.
What we do best
The 2018 Texas State Library Report filed by EPML noted we offered 149 programs with 6,300+ people attending, including 4,201 children and 244 young adults. Many programs collaborate or promote other area nonprofits/civic organizations. Low-income individuals can receive free legal and tax assistance, while education and study programs help impoverished students find a way out of generational poverty. Our monthly art, music, and cultural activities open their eyes to a world of new opportunities. For individuals in situational poverty, from job loss or health issues, EPML connects them to computers for on-line career searches, driver's license renewals, or nonprofits who can provide them with nutritional food, health services, or job training. Our Business Services Program promotes EPML as an "entrepreneurial hub" for networking and growth for small business owners. However, we still provide time-honored library services such as checking out books for the simple pleasure of reading.
How you can help?
Financial assistance is always appreciated. EPML is operating on a $412,050 budget to provide services to 20,000+ library cardholders (70% of Uvalde's population), yet only 60% of our budget is funded by local government. We are endeavoring to raise the additional 40% through fundraising, grants, and donor revenue, plus strengthen other income sources (i.e. book sales, business services, museum fees) to meet services and program costs. Raising funds from the community is difficult in a high minority, impoverished, low-education, rural population, yet these are the very individuals and families who need our services the most. We greatly appreciate any gift you may wish to donate to assist us in our worthy endeavor.
Members of El Progreso Memorial Library Board
Member Term End
Byron Capt - President .....................................................2026
Nan Ede - Secretary ...........................................................2025
Darrell Zimmerman - Treasurer ................................2024
Anu Punalekar .....................................................................2024
Darlene Guckenberger ...................................................2024
Aide Escamilla.......................................................................2025
Kaitlin Kelsey.........................................................................2025
Gina Stocks.............................................................................2026
Maricela Zamarripa...........................................................2026