The sign for Alexander Public Library in Cotulla, Texas reflects the area's ties to ranching.
Small towns abound in Texas.
The state that can boast being second largest in territory and having some of the nation's most heavily populated metropolitan areas, also has vast stretches of land spotted with tiny, far-flung towns. The Alamo Area Library System, situated in the southwestern portion of the state, encompasses more than forty such towns. Garza, who is actively involved in the area's economic development planning, not only considers the library an important center for the community, but also the place where she gets her own training. When the library offered a series of eight video presentations on non-profit management, she immediately signed up. The Alamo Area Library System has 43 libraries spread across 32,634 square miles.