Summer always buzzes in Bee Cave

The response to our new summer hours has been wonderful, with families and children happily returning to browse in person at the Bee Cave Public Library. We are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday. During these hours, we invite you to come in and browse, browse books and other materials, use the public computers or photocopier, grab a take-out kit, or ask a librarian to suggest a new book. to read. We are also continuing our front door contactless pickup service if you prefer that to a visit in person.

There is still time to sign up for our annual summer reading program and earn chances to win amazing prizes just by following your reading. Families can register their children on the Beanstack app and easily track everyone’s minutes. For every 500 minutes a child reads, they earn a badge through Beanstack which means another entry into the drawing for gift certificates to Learning Express Toys. Any child who reads at least 500 minutes can send us a picture of them holding a favorite book and we will make a poster for our “Wall of Honor” in the library. Parents also receive a copy to take home and add to their collection from previous summers. Prizes are also available for teens and adults, including gift cards at local shops and restaurants. You can earn chances of winning by saving every book you read, writing a review, or tagging us on social media. Visit our website for details.

Virtual programs continue to thrill

Our lineup of virtual programs for kids of all ages continues through the end of July, with fun events scheduled every Thursday at 2 p.m. ET. We are teaming up again with the Lake Travis Community Library to bring you these amazing artists. If you miss the event live on Zoom or Facebook Live, visit the Bee Cave Library’s Facebook page later to watch it at your convenience. There will be an interactive magic show, reptile show, Chinese shadows (with tips on how to make your own shadow play at home) and even a puppet-making workshop with famous puppeteer Stacey Gordon. of “Sesame Street”. Register in advance by visiting the library’s website and a link will be emailed to you. No Zoom account is required.

Adolescent scholarship winners announced

As part of its mission to support the library through fundraising, volunteering, and advocacy, the Friends of Bee Cave Library offers scholarships to graduate teens who volunteered at the library during their studies. high school students by tidying up books, helping out at special events, participating in service projects, or serving on the adolescent advisory board. This year, the Friends awarded a scholarship of $ 1,000 each to Swetha Ayinala, Rose Furnish and Krista George. Congratulations to these exceptional young women.

Rolling Sculpture Car Show returns

The Rolling Sculpture Car Show returns to the Hill Country Galleria after it went missing last year due to the pandemic. This fun, family-friendly event features classic cars, sports and exotic cars, modern classics, hot rods, art cars and other motorized eye candy parked on the streets of the Galleria to celebrate the automotive style in all its forms. Visit RollingSculptureCarShow.com for more information. The show benefits the Friends of Bee Cave Public Library through paid sponsorships and registrations by car owners. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Bee Cave library, with over $ 80,000 raised since the start of the show.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free for spectators. With the Lone Star Farmers Market happening at the same time, spend a day and come enjoy live music, food vendors and “rolling sculptures” of all kinds.

Staffing, programming changes

We are delighted to announce that Gretchen Hardin, who joined the Bee Cave Library about two years ago, has been promoted to the role of the new Director of Public Services. His duties include overseeing all programming for children, teens and adults, as well as referral, advice to readers, social media and community outreach. You may have seen her in some of our new tutorials on using databases or promotional video clips on the new TikTok library account.

We are also delighted to welcome Melissa Slaughter as the new Public Service Librarian. Melissa has worked at the Austin Public Library for the past five years and will take over some of our programs when they resume in the fall, including the Teen Advisory Board. Prior to earning her Masters in Library Science, Melissa worked part-time here at Bee Cave and we are delighted to have her back in a new role.

As conditions in our area continue to improve, we look forward to re-establishing in-person programs in the fall. Storytime returns in September with a few changes, but the same format based on the game developed by beloved “Ms. Meliss” Burke, our youth services specialist. Our popular adult speaker series on the first Wednesday of the month will be back in a new format, featuring Teen Advisory Board, Bee Tweens, and other old favorites, along with some new ideas we’re working on. Watch for an upcoming survey or email me at [email protected] to tell us what you would like to see in the library over the coming year.

As always, we’re here to help and answer your questions. Call us at 512-767-6620 or email us at [email protected].

Barbara D. Hathaway is the director of the Bee Cave Public Library.