The City of Schertz and Guadalupe County have had an interlocal agreement regarding the provision of library service to County residents since 1981. The Commissioners’ Court has long held the view that library services are beneficial to all County residents and has entered into agreements with each of the three public libraries in the County to provide library service to all its residents for many years. The proposed Interlocal Agreement is for one fiscal year, from October 14, 2025 through September 30, 2026, with an option to renew each successive year. The agreement can be terminated by either party with written notice not less than 30 days prior to the agreement’s end. 

Note - the City of Cibolo has also provided funding for the Schertz Library since the late 1990s. The FY 2026 agreement is in the amount of $40,000. The City of Selma has provided funding since 2009 and the FY 2026 agreement will provide approximately $25,000 in the upcoming fiscal year. A recent look at cardholder statistics shows that 69% of the library’s cardholders live in Guadalupe County. The majority of them live within the limits of the Cities of Schertz, Cibolo, and Selma and are entitled to use the Schertz Public Library as a result of Schertz resident status, or agreements with other cities. Only 5% of the library’s Guadalupe County cardholders live in other parts of Guadalupe County. 

One other item to note - it is the Schertz Public Library’s practice to allow residents of the State of Texas to use the library free of charge. Out-of-state residents pay $15.00 per person per year to have full access to all resources the library offers. The Texas State Library has a program called Texshare in which Schertz participates. This program allows Schertz Library cardholders to have access to resources, though often on a limited basis, at other participating libraries, including the San Antonio Public Library System, Seguin Library, and the New Braunfels Library System. 

The goal is to eliminate digital divide and provide educational opportunities for all County residents by providing access to library services without duplication of effort on the County’s part. Contracting with existing library service providers is an efficient way to provide service, while at the same time, it helps offset our own operational costs. 

The Schertz Public Library fills a significant community need by providing quality of life opportunities for area families and individuals. Services include circulation of books and other media, access to digital content, public computers and Internet, educational programs, and reference services. The Interlocal Agreement is mutually advantageous to both the County and the City. It allows the County to efficiently and economically provide library service to its residents who would not otherwise have it, and the City receives funds that help offset operating costs for its residents. It also allows Schertz residents to use the libraries in Seguin and Marion free-of-charge. 

Staff recommends re-authorizing the Public Library Interlocal Agreement with Guadalupe County as it is mutually beneficial.

The County will pay the City $243,009.96 in monthly installments of $20,250.83 for Library Services as outlined in the ILA under section III, Consideration, which is a 2.1% increase over last fiscal year. The Schertz Library budget is $1,548,160 for FY26.

Staff recommends approval of Resolution 25-R-141 and re-authorizing the Public Library Interlocal Agreement with Guadalupe County as it is mutually beneficial to both entities.