Building a partnership

Peggy Villareal lived in Texas for around 20 years and served as Library Director in Tahoka from 2021 to 2025. Aiming to create a positive impact on her community, she worked with Ørsted to provide valuable resources and programs benefiting library users.

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I was living in Nebraska, where I met my husband, who was from Lynn County, Texas. I visited it with him and fell in love with Texas, and we ended up spending around 20 years there.

Tahoka is the county seat, with a population of a little more than 2,000 people. It’s a small town with an amazing and supportive community. People tend to know each other there, everyone’s friends with everyone—it’s a very family-oriented environment.

I served as Library Director at the City-County branch in Tahoka from 2021 to early 2025. My job suited me perfectly, because I love books, and I love the community. With my colleagues, Lynn and Linda, we just tried to make the library a welcoming space for everyone. Every time when I would see smiles on the faces of the children who came by for story time or to participate in another library activity, it would make my day.

A lot of organizing goes into the daily job of a library director. We did a lot of fundraising, getting the community to give back to the library. From the moment Ørsted arrived in Lynn County, they were a valued supporter and partner.
 
I remember one of the first times I met the folks on the Ørsted team was when they came in asking if they could use our laminating machine. It took a while to warm up the machine, so we had a chance to just chat and learn about each other. They expressed interest in getting involved with the community, and our relationship grew from there.

Ørsted contributed lots of books during my years there, and continue to do so since I left. Every year, they donate 100 backpacks full of school supplies for children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford them. They’re always ready to help out an event, even bringing trays full of cookies for everyone. They have become part of the community.

And not only do they support the library, but they’re bringing an impactful clean energy project to the county. I hope other communities in Texas and elsewhere have the chance to partner with Ørsted, too. They won’t be disappointed.

My hope for the future at the library is that it can just keep making a positive impact on the community, and keep growing. Tahoka is a really special place, and I’m so happy I got to be a part of it.