Bee Cave librarian: Summer reading program winds down
We have had such a busy and fun summer in Bee Cave with our Western-themed “Reading Roundup” Summer Reading program, returning to all in-person programming for the first time since 2019.
World Champion trick roper Kevin Fitzpatrick and his horse Romeo helped us kick things off, drawing more than 350 people to the plaza in front of the library for an amazing display of rope tricks and whip-cracking. The following week, the library hosted an off-site “Reading Rodeo” at Star Hill Ranch with crafts, games and music for all ages set amidst the historic buildings carefully restored to recreate an early 1900s-style town.
The following weeks included programs designed for specific ages ranging from toddlers to teens, ending up with our always-popular “Star Party.” Held in the evening at the Old Bee Cave School House with members of the Austin Astronomical Society who brought their telescopes, the event offered families a chance to view the skies over Bee Cave and learn more about the city’s quest to become affiliated with the International Dark Sky Association.
Be sure to mark your calendars for the last event of Summer Reading, our first-ever Bike Rodeo on Saturday, July 30, from 10:00 a.m. to noon on the plaza in front of the library. The program is for all ages and no registration is required. Saddle up those two-wheelers and bring your bike or scooter for a fun bike obstacle course. Beat the heat with a free popsicle and watch a performance from a trick unicyclist. No bike? No problem. This outdoor family event has something for everyone, including crafts and bubbles.
The annual Summer Reading program has been a mainstay of public library service for the past hundred years or so, designed to encourage children to read for fun and minimize the “summer slide” often experienced during the break so that children can return to school in the fall without missing a beat. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and the Friends of the Library, the library offered custom-designed “bee” bandanas to everyone who participated this year. Children and adults alike were encouraged to log their minutes or books read on the Beanstack app to become eligible to win prizes just for reading. Children received a special prize after reading their first 500 minutes in the form of a personalized “Wanted” poster hung on the library’s “Wall of Honor,” as well as their own copy to take home. Forty lucky children will receive a $25 gift card from Learning Express Toys, and 22 teens and adults will receive a card to a local restaurant or store, including favorites like All Star Burger, the League, Dillard’s, fab’rik and more. The last day to log your reading on Beanstack is Monday, July 25, so don’t delay. Winners will be announced and posted on our website on July 30.
We’d like to thank the following sponsors and partners who made this summer so special for everyone with their generosity: Hill Country Galleria, Friends of Bee Cave Public Library, Toothbud Pediatric Dentistry; Learning Express Toys of Bee Cave; fab’rik; Schdmidt Family Barbecue; Tony C’s; and Jules Design Bar.
Beat the heat with free streaming
As we all are looking for ways to stay out of the heat, don’t forget all the free resources available from your favorite public library. Access Video: Just for Kidsis a streaming service available through the library’s website with educational, age-appropriate content for children of all ages. In addition to streaming classic shows like "Reading Rainbow", "Redwall," and "Wild Kratts," Access Video offers gently animated picture books, homework help for kids who want to learn about a particular topic, and videos for beginning world languages. There’s something here for every curious kid. We also have the Access Videostreaming service for adults, which offers more than 42,000 documentaries, indie films, and instructional videos. Log into either service with just your library card number and start watching.
The Bee Cave Public Library is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit our website at beecavetexas.gov/city-government/library or call 512.767. 6620.
Barbara D. Hathaway is the director of the Bee Cave Public Library.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Bee Cave librarian: Summer reading program winds down
