The Friends of the Driscoll Public Library made a $1,000 donation to the library at the Devine City Council meeting last Tuesday, Feb. 20.
“We are so grateful for all the support from the Friends,” said Head Librarian Debi DuBose. “They are true treasures for us with their countless hours of volunteering and their fundraising efforts.”
The Friends are a 501(c)(3) organization that raises funds to help the Driscoll Public Library purchase materials, equipment, and supplies as well as help fund the library’s year-round, family-friendly programming.
The first Friends fundraiser of the year is the Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop in May. The Animal Workshop is a mobile stuffed animal workshop, where participants bring their very own stuffed animal to life. Pre-registration and payment for each stuffed animal will be required. More information on the event will be announced in the coming weeks.
On the programming front, free GED classes, Preschool Story Time, and the Read Across America Day Reading Challenge are currently ongoing, and Teen Tech Week begins March 5 (see separate articles).
The popular annual Summer Reading Challenge begins June 1 and continues for eight weeks. Summer programming begins June 14 with a performance by magician and comedian Mike “Spikey Mikey” Cruz, followed by three more weeks of fun activities based around this year’s theme, “Libraries Rock!”. Weekly family movie matinees, featuring free refreshments, begin July 18 and close out the summer August 15.
A recent reorganization inside the library has freed up space dedicated to programs, meetings, and a planned maker space.
“We are really excited about upcoming programs to be held in our new program/meeting room,” DuBose said.
In addition, the library has 11 public access computers that can be used free of charge, as well as a children’s room. There are also thousands of children’s, middle graded, young adult, and adult novels and non-fiction books, ebooks, audiobooks, and DVDs available for checkout.
Copies can be made and faxes sent or received for a small fee.
Library cards are free for residents inside Devine’s city limits, and just $10.00 a year for area county residents.
“I would like to invite everyone to stop by and tour the library,” DuBose said. “We may be able to recruit you as a new ‘Friend’.”
The library is located at 202 E. Hondo Ave (next to the Community Center) and is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Call 830-663-2993 or stop by in person to learn more about what the library has to offer.
By Marly Davis
Staff Writer
Note: The writer is President of the Friends and a member of the City’s Library Board.
