Bee Cave librarian: Summer Reading program drew hundreds of kids, adults
Summer Reading 2023 is in the books. This annual program designed to keep kids and adults reading over the summer made the Bee Cave Public Library a very busy place with more than 15,000 people coming to visit.
In addition to our usual offerings of storytime three times a week and other ongoing programs, our team offered special programs each week designed for this summer’s theme of “All Together Now.” From birds of prey and a bubble party to a community-centered blood drive, there was something for everyone at the library in June.
The month of July included old staples like Lego Club and our annual “Drive-In Movie,” where kids make their own cars out of a cardboard box, as well as new offerings like our “Diary of a Bee Cave Kid” loosely based on the "Wimpy Kid" series by popular author Jeff Kinney. As part of our groovy theme, the teens spent an afternoon tie-dying everything from T-shirts to socks, while our tweens in grades 3-6 competed in silly competitions in the style of “Minute-to-Win-It.”
According to our records on Beanstack, the online app we use for tracking reading, we had 386 children participate this summer who read more than 518,000 minutes! And the 258 teens and adults who signed up were equally busy, reading a total of 3,271 books. By registering on Beanstack, readers were entered into a drawing for prizes including Squishmallows and Lego sets for the kids and gift cards to local stores and restaurants for the teens and adults. A special thank you to our sponsors, Dr. Nolan Barit at Eyecare Essentials-Bee Cave, Mike and Lisa Schlageter at Learning Express-Bee Cave, and our wonderful nonprofit, the Friends of Bee Cave Public Library, whose generous donations made the prizes possible.
Storytime notes
Family Storytime will keep its usual schedule on Tuesday and Friday mornings, with stories, songs and more for children up to age 5. Baby Bumblebees, the lap-sit storytime for infants not yet walking, is on hiatus for the month of August and will return on Thursday, Aug. 31. Please check the library calendar online for the most current information at www.beecavelibrary.com.
New library update
In early July, library and city staff met with the team of Lake | Flato Architects, 720 Design, Rialto Studio, Hoar Construction and more for an integrated design workshop to kick off planning for the new library.
Gathering everyone involved in the process in the same room to discuss options for everything from water, electrical and HVAC systems to flooring, lighting and building materials was an innovative way to explore the possibilities and ensure everyone shares the same vision for the new library early in the process. The library will be built on what is locally known as the Revival property just east of McCoy’s Building Supply on Texas 71, with access to Bee Cave Central Park and some stunning natural landscapes that will allow for beautiful outdoor spaces adjacent to the library.
Tennis, anyone?
Did you know you can check out tennis rackets from the library? Thanks to the Lake Travis Tennis Association, families can check out a kit for three weeks that includes two junior-size rackets, two calls, and a laminated sheet with information on where to play in the area.
Rolling Sculpture Car Show in October
The library’s biggest fundraiser is coming up in late October when the 15th annual Rolling Sculpture Car Show takes place at the Hill Country Galleria. This year’s show is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 29, and will feature 200 collector cars, antiques, modern classics, exotics, muscle cars, street rods, foreign sports cars, art cars and more lining the streets of the Galleria.
The show is free to spectators and raises money through sponsorships and entry fees from the car owners vying to earn a trophy for their “rolling sculpture.” This year we are delighted to welcome Covert-Bee Cave as our signature sponsor, so be sure to join us for a family-friendly event that supports your local library. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Bee Cave Public Library, a nonprofit that helps support the library. For more information or to register for the show, please visit www.rollingsculpturecarshow.com.
The Bee Cave Public Library is in the Hill Country Galleria at 4000 Galleria Parkway. For hours and information, please visit www.beecavelibrary.com or call us at 512-767-6620.
Barbara Hathaway is the director of the Bee Cave Public Library.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Bee Cave librarian: Summer Reading program drew hundreds
