This is a question we get often at the Information Desk, and actually the question makes a lot of sense. An eBook is not a physical book but a digital one that doesn't tangibly exist. Why, then, do I have to wait for it?
It’s all Napster’s fault. Do you remember Napster from the early 2000’s? It was a website that allowed music to be shared without paying for it. When book publishers started looking at providing digitized versions of books several years later, they saw the piracy that Napster facilitated and decided that wouldn’t happen with digital books.
Publishers' biggest fear was libraries sharing eBooks without paying fairly. The publishers' thought process was that libraries have to A) purchase multiple copies for popular titles and B) replace physical copies when they get worn out or damaged. Therefore, the publishers reasoned, libraries should have to do the same for eBooks.
Thus, metered eBooks for libraries were born. A metered eBooks is sold to libraries as licenses of a digital copy of a book that can either be checked out for x number of months or checked out x number of times before a new set of licenses has to be purchased.
The most common meter is 12 checkouts or 12 months, whichever is reached first.
For example, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, a very popular mystery this year, has a metered amount of 12 months or 12 checkouts. So far, nine patrons have borrowed the eBook since July. At that rate, we are more likely to have 12 checkouts before July 2025, so we will have to purchase another set of 12/12 licenses for more readers.
As a member library in the Central Texas Digital Consortium, we have the advantage of sharing financial resources for eBooks. However, that also means that we share access to the titles. As such, it is so important that you go ahead and put a hold on the eBooks you want to read. If you wait for it to become available, all the licenses may be used up before you get a chance to check it out.
When we see that there are several additional patrons waiting to read a book via a holds report, we know how important it is to order more licenses when the current meter runs out.
Whether you prefer eBooks or eaudiobooks and Libby or Boundless for your digital books, put the titles you want to read on hold!
If you are an avid Christian Fiction reader, you've probably noticed we've moved some things around. You're also probably asking. "Why did you do this?" The answer is a little complex.
As a library, per guidelines from the American Library Association, we should strive to be viewpoint neutral, meaning we share information while not persuading a person to a particular point of view. This includes avoiding labels that try to persuade or establish an institutional preference for something.
As such, having a Christian fiction section--but not a Buddhist fiction or Jewish fiction or other religious designations--communicates a message of preference for Christianity.
This new-to-us information was quite a surprise! Having a Christian fiction section seemed pretty normal. After all, we are in Texas and most people are Christian, right? Actually, according to the U.S. Religion Census in 2020, 56% of Bastrop county does not identify an affiliation with a Protestant, Mormon, or Catholic congregation.
All this information helped us realize it was time to make a change.
We looked at the 400+ titles in the CHR section and identified them as a mystery (MYS), romance (ROM), science fiction/fantasy (SFF), Western (WES), or none of the above (NOV). We re-printed spine labels and shifted the books around on the shelves.
None of the CHR books were removed from the shelves, and we have kept books by the same author together in the same genre. So, if you're looking for Karen Kingsbury or Beverly Lewis, they are now in ROM and NOV respectively.
Additionally, we kept the blue Christian spine label stickers that typically rest above the call number label to help you find these books. We won't be adding them to new books, but we wanted you to find your favorite Christian fiction authors during this transition.
If you need help locating your favorite Christian fiction author, the library staff are always willing to assist you and the catalog is available wherever you have access to the internet as well.
Thanks for being patient and understanding as we all learn new things and work to be a better library for everyone in out community.
Have you loved a book and want to shout it to the world? Email us at info@bastroplibrary.org and tell us about it! We’d love to include it in an upcoming newsletter!
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Library Book Club choice – January 2025
When her volatile, former POW father impulsively moves the family to mid-1970s Alaska to live off the land, young Leni and her mother are forced to confront the dangers of their lack of preparedness in the wake of a dangerous winter season. Alaska, especially in a prepper environment, is daunting; the cold and the dark are harrowing. We discussed the psychology of battered women and how the law and the culture still fail to protect them. Trauma, too, was a great discussion point. We all gave Hannah’s book a thumbs up.
Find it: NOV Han + Libby eBook + Boundless eBook
The Perfect Son by Freida Mc Fadden
Brenda Smith, library volunteer
Have a favorite child? Or a son you just know is a kidnapper and possible murderer? Outwardly, Liam is a perfect teenage boy. Granted, he had some psychopathic tendencies as a child, but now he is a top student and member of debate and track teams. Teachers and girls love him! But now that his new girlfriend is missing, everyone in town, including his mother Erika thinks that Liam is responsible for this terrifying crime. I raced through this suspenseful thriller to the disturbing end. I truly was not expecting the ending: who? why? where? McFadden is quickly becoming one of my favorite mystery writers!
Find it: MYS McC
Building Material by Stephen Bruno
Dianne Trip, Friend of the Library
A doorman for the rich and famous in a high-end Park Avenue building presents an often-humorous account of the antics he witnessed and stories he overheard among Manhattan's elite residents in this amusing and richly detailed memoir while he, a Bronx-raised Latino, works to achieve his goal of a master’s in writing and publishing his book. Candid and always animated, his memoir offers a unique perspective on achieving the American dream that is as timely as it is refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed this insightful story.
Find it: BIO BRU (New)
I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff
Bethany Williams, staff
Are you teaching your little one about apologizing? This humorous picture book can help you! After he hurts his friend Zoe's feelings, Jack discovers there's more to an apology than just saying "I'm sorry" in this engaging exploration of how an apology goes deeper than just words. This picture book made me smile as we see all of Jack’s emotions as he reworks his apology note. Highly recommend even if you don’t have kids—we all need a reminder on the intricacies of apologies!
Find it: E LUK (New)
Have you loved a book and want to shout it to the world? Email us at info@bastroplibrary.org and tell us about it! We’d love to include it in an upcoming newsletter!
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Library Book Club pick of 2024
In 1789 Maine, midwife and healer Martha, who is good at keeping secrets, investigates a shocking murder linked to an alleged rape that has shaken her small town, especially when her diary lands at the center of the scandal, threatening to tear both her family and her community apart. In 200+ years, many things haven’t changed: women’s opinions are often discounted, the rich are powerful and treated differently by the justice system, and there is still too little justice for rape survivors. This is a harrowing book, but it is so good. We all gave it a thumbs up.
Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore
Library Book Club choice – December 2024
In the early hours of the morning after?Valentine's Day, fourteen-year-old Gloria Ramirez appears on the front porch of Mary Rose Whitehead's ranch house, broken and barely alive. The teenager had been viciously attacked in a nearby oil field--an act of brutality that is tried in the churches and barrooms of Odessa before it can reach a court of law. When justice is evasive, one of the town's women decides to take matters into her own hands, setting the stage for a showdown with potentially devastating consequences. This bleak yet hopeful book garnered great discussion of symbolism, imagery, characterization, and theme. It’s a dark and difficult book to read in some parts, but there are also beautiful parts and a satisfying ending.
The Singularity Is Nearer by Ray Kurzweil
Dianne Tripp, Friend of the Library
In this impassioned and thought-provoking science writing, Kurzweil explores the forthcoming (--and present!--) revolution in knowledge and the expansion of human potential. He touches on nanobots, life extension beyond the age of 120, declines in poverty and violence, and more. This is a fascinating and eye-opening read—and even a little scary, too. The more you learn about AI, the more fantastic and sci-fi it seems. This book is for anyone who is interested in the wild ride AI will provide.
She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
Brenda Smith, library volunteer
The Queen of Plot Twists has done it again! Megan is an ICU nurse and single mom to a teenage daughter. An excellent caregiver, she doesn't usually get involved emotionally with her patients...until Caitlyn arrives. Comatose from jumping (or being pushed?) from a bridge, everyone around Caitlyn is suspicious. Oh...and there is a serial killer on the loose as well. Is Megan involved in any of these terrible events? A quick read that you can't put down, pick Kubica’s newest up and be thoroughly entertained and surprised.
AARP will be providing no-charge tax filing assistance anyone needing help. They will be at the library every Saturday from February 9th to April 12th from 9:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m.
A limited number of clients will be served on a first-come, first-served basis and an official sign-up sheet will be available at 9:00 a.m. each Saturday for the day's clients.
Anyone arriving before the library opens at 10:00 a.m. should enter by using the side door located to the left of the main entrance.
Skip the Big Easy and do Mardi Gras the easy way in Bastrop!
Celebrate the “Courir de Mardi Gras” folklife of Evangeline Parish, Louisiana here in Bastrop with the Mardi Gras Ball on Friday, January 31st and free music and festivities downtown on Saturday, February 1st.
Of special note is the Musical Instrument Petting Zoo that will be hosted here at the library on Saturday from noon until 3:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to try out Cajun and Zydeco instruments—for both kids and adults!
Get tickets for the Mardi Gras Ball and find out more details online.
Bastrop has a rich history, and one of our goals as your local library is to preserve and provide you with access to that history. This sounds like a simple task, but it can be quite challenging.
Challenge: What is in the Local History Room?
Over time, the knowledge of what was in the room dwindled. So, our first project was to inventory the room. There are five unique collections in the history room: the Genealogy Collection, Texas Reference, the Vertical Files, the Wildfire Collection, and the Microfilm Collection. We went through everything, and we learned a lot.
Challenge: As a library, what should we include in the Local History Room?
As much as we might want to keep everything, our responsibility is to curate a collection about Bastrop County’s history. We examined what other libraries collect and looked for professional guidance to keep materials that support our local history researchers.
Challenge: How do we make the collections more user-friendly?
The collections’ organization system was not working. The information was difficult to access and not always detailed or complete.
First, we wanted to develop a call number system for the Genealogy and Texas Reference Collections that make them more user-friendly and move like items together. The Genealogy Collection now starts with local information and progresses to national/international resources. The Texas Reference Collection is still a work in progress.
Second, we established a digital archive to preserve and provide access to our history. The library chose the Preservica platform to serve as a database, a digital storage server, and a digital preservation system for our records. As of January 2025, we have 174 items digitized, fully catalogued, and available to view on the Preservica portal. This will be an ongoing project.
Third, as we look at each item to assign a new call number or digitize the materials, we are adding more details, if possible, to the records. This project could take years to complete.
Challenge: How do we generate interest in the collections and promote Bastrop’s history to the public?
We started Quarterly History Talks. We host speakers knowledgeable about local history and then highlight materials from our collection. We invite you to help us bring history alive on the first Saturdays of March, June, September, and December for these events. Email us at info@bastroplibrary.org to sign-up for History Talk announcements.
There are many more challenges for the Local History Collections in the future, but we wanted to share what we’ve been doing to make local history more accessible to you. If you are interested in helping, we are always looking for volunteers. Just reach out: info@bastroplibrary.org, and we’ll match you with a project that sparks your interest.
Are you a veteran, a senior, or individual with a disability? Starting January 2025, you qualify for a non-resident membership discount when you renew or get a new library card!
Seniors (aged 55+), veterans, and individuals with a disability will receive a 20% discount on their annual membership. With this discount, annual membership is $20 per year or roughly $1.67 a month!
Families, we didn’t forget you! An annual non-resident family membership is $40. With a family membership, you will receive 3 library cards for your account. With this account, you can check out up to 40 items at a time. It does not affect how many digital items you can check out at a time.
These discounts are designed to make library membership more affordable for individuals and families living outside the Bastrop City limits. City residents’ memberships are supported by City property taxes and will not change.
Be sure to ask about our new discounts when you are ready to renew your library card!
Have you loved a book and want to shout it to the world? Email us at info@bastroplibrary.org and tell us about it! We’d love to include it in an upcoming newsletter!
The Lifeguards by Amanda Eyre Ward
Library Book Club choice – November 2024
The bonds between three picture-perfect, viciously protective mothers are tested when their sons uncover a horrible crime in Austin’s Zilker Park. While this wasn’t our favorite book, we loved the strong sense of place—especially since it’s right down the road from us! Once you read it, let us know who your favorite character(s) were. I bet it’s not the protagonist!
The Hunter by Tana French
Becky Bennett, library board member
Retired Chicago detective Cal Hooper has lived in a tiny community in western Ireland for just over two years. He has a girlfriend, Lena, and a young apprentice, Trey, whom he considers a daughter. When Trey's worthless father Johnny blows back into town with a scheme to swindle a visiting Englishman and he recruits most of the town's men into the scam, Cal follows along in order to protect Trey. It is soon apparent that the Englishman is not the one getting swindled. When Trey happens on a body near her family's home, Cal and Lena have to think and act quickly to keep Trey safe. I love the Irish voices in French's writing and her beautiful descriptions of rural Ireland. The story's suspense will keep you turning pages right up to the hair-raising end.
The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial by Dave Lipsky
Dianne Tripp, Friend of the Library
In this serious yet witty and accessible nonfiction book, New York Times-bestselling author Lipsky explores how “anti-science” became so vitriolic in American life. As he explains it, it started with climate denial, and there have been serious consequences. This is an unusual book, but highly enlightening.
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
Amie Cuvelier, library staff
A lush cottagecore tale is full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love. This upbeat and whimsical cozy fantasy is perfect if you need something lighthearted and diverting. A little rebellion, a little romance, and a lot of fun.
The Library’s Annual Holiday Open House is nearly here! Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 14 from 10:00-4:00 because you won’t want to miss any of the holly jolly fun!
Mingle with Library Board Members, Friends of the Library, library staff, volunteers, and neighbors and community members to celebrate the holiday season.
Our traditional Graham Cracker House Decorating activity, a community favorite, will be a sure-fire family hit! We will have 300 houses to decorate throughout the day. Each hour from 10:30-2:30, we will seat 75 people in the Meeting Room and also have a limited number of Graham Cracker House take-home kits available as an alternative to decorating a house at the library. Sessions will begin at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. We will have frosting, candy, and other goodies for your child to create a masterpiece. You won’t want to miss it!
A variety of musicians will perform including the Honor Choir; last year’s crowd favorite Mary Smith, accordionist; singer Terry Moore; singer-songwriter and guitarist Ben Zuniga; and Max Butler, who plays the saw. Your favorite holiday song is bound to be performed at least once from these awesome musicians!
The fifth annual Great City Decorating Contest (GCDC) challenges City departments to decorate a graham cracker house, and you get to decide which department did the most spectacular job. The competition is fierce, so be ready to make the hard decision! Winners receive Facebook fame, a fabulous trophy, and bragging rights for the entire year!
In between shopping downtown on Saturday, December 14th, stop by the library to celebrate the season!
Have you loved a book and want to shout it to the world? Email us at info@bastroplibrary.org and tell us about it! We’d love to include it in an upcoming newsletter!
Dreams of Arcadia by Brian Porter
Library Book Club choice – October 2024
Written by an Austin-area author, and the speaker at the Friends of the Library October event, Dreams of Arcadia is about veterinarian Nate Holub, as he takes a job in his father's Texas hometown. We really enjoyed this homegrown book and had a fantastic discussion! We talked quite a bit how places can evoke vivid memories of childhood, and we talked about our own memories of important places. If you like books where the setting is as good as a character, we recommend Dreams of Arcadia.
Simply Korean by Aaron Huh
Cary Kittrell, library staff
If you’ve always wanted to make your favorite Korean dishes at home, Simply Korean is for you. With streamlined techniques, minimal ingredients, and clear instructions, you'll learn the easiest methods to make fried rice, bulgogi, kimchi, and more without sacrificing taste. I enjoyed this cookbook! The best part was that I could make my favorite dishes at home with ingredients from my pantry. If you enjoy takeout, I highly recommend this book.
An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Dianne Tripp, Friend of the Library
This dramatic and reflective nonfiction title reexamines the decade of the tumultuous and exceptional 1960s: the politics, the morals, and the long-lasting effects. Having been a teenager during that time, I found Goodwin’s insider accounts of JFK, LBJ, and Bobby Kennedy fascinating. Read it yourself and see if you agree with two of my take-aways: (1) I wouldn’t like these leaders or their staff/aides as individuals, yet (2) I was impressed by their insight on serving their country and the citizens.
A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson
Brenda Smith, library volunteer
Martha is a quiet librarian recently married to a traveling salesman, Alan. When she finds a blood streak on one of his shirts shortly after he returns home from a conference, she begins an investigation into all of Alan's past visited cities. Martha finds an alarming pattern of unsolved murder cases in each locale her new hubby has traveled to for business. Is her sweet, kind husband a serial killer? Enlisting the aid of an old friend, they become enmeshed in a journey that leads to heartbreak --and the identity of a very talented murderer. Thoroughly entertaining and fast paced, I read this mystery in less than 24 hours. Of course, I will read anything by this author. You should try his mysteries as well!
Is your garden getting ready to harvest? Please save some of your seeds and donate them to our seed library! With your donation, please fill out the donation form available online
Not sure how to save your seeds? We’ve got two new books in our collection that will tell you how!
The Seed Garden: The Art and Practice of Seed Saving by Micaela Colley
Find it: 635 Col (New)
Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners by Suzanne Ashworth
Find it: 635.042 ASH (New)
Local Bastropian and jazz musician Hannibal Lokumbe will present excerpts from his new book Spiritual Soundscapes of Music, Life, and Liberation on Saturday, November 16th at 6:00 p.m. in the Tough Cookie Bakery location on Main Street. This event will include a performance, an opportunity for questions, and a book signing.
Hannibal Lokumbe: Spiritual Soundscapes of Music, Life, and Liberation by Lauren Coyble Rosen and Hannibal Lokumbe is a captivating, vital portrait and spiritual biography of Lokumbe. For Lokumbe, music is a profound source of spiritual liberation.
A pathbreaking orchestral composer and visionary jazz musician, he composes resonant works that give voice to the freedom struggle of the African diaspora, the broader African American experience, Indigenous histories, and humanity.
Many of his works address historical traumas, such as the Middle Passage, the Vietnam War, global environmental disharmony, and targeted racial violence, and focus on major figures, including Medgar Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Dr. Kim Phúc Phan Th?, and Anne Frank.
This innovative book demonstrates that Lokumbe’s musical compositions, created in collaboration with his ancestors, are multisensorial spiritual soundscapes that aspire to chronicle, heal, and liberate.
Have you loved a book and want to shout it to the world? Email us at info@bastroplibrary.org and tell us about it! We’d love to include it in an upcoming newsletter!
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Finney Boylan
Library Book Club choice – September
Olivia knows what it feels like to start over. Her life in Boston when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined she would end up back in her New Hampshire hometown, taking over her father's beekeeping business. Lily is familiar with do-overs, too. When she and her mom relocate to New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start. And for just a short while, these new beginnings are exactly what Olivia and Lily need. Most of us who attended LBC this month really enjoyed Mad Honey! We had a great discussion on gender roles and issues and how people should get to know others as individuals instead of judging them on superficial characteristics. If you’re a Jodi Picoult fan, you won’t want to miss her newest title!
Brenda Smith, library volunteer
Our hero Justine is a female private security agent, or bodyguard, protecting very rich L.A. celebrities. When she saves the lives of two elderly clients, she is lauded as a hero in the press. But wait!... A crime lord who ordered the hit on these people has now put a price on Justine's head to compensate for his botched assassinations! I loved this highly intense game of "cat and mouse" as this smart lady proves she can fend off everyone and everything in her path. I’m now author Thomas Perry’s newest fan, and I plan to pick up more of his books asap!
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Dianne Tripp, Friend of the Library
In 1965, nursing student Frankie impulsively joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows her brother to Vietnam where she is overwhelmed by the destruction of war, as well as the unexpected trauma of coming home to a changed and politically divided America. I was in high school and college during the Vietnam War, and I could not put this book down—despite the tears. This war damaged the troops’ minds, bodies, and souls, and, as always, Hannah writes a moving and compelling story to illustrate this harrowing history.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Melissa Ashcraft, library patron
We all have regrets. I should have done this... I should have done that... If you had the chance to undo your regrets, would you? That would fix everything! Right? In The Midnight Library, Nora has the opportunity to change her life for a new one. An amazing, thought-provoking novel.
Have you ever wished you could chat with locals in Paris, order food in Rome, or impress your friends with your knowledge of Japanese? Well, Mango Languages is here to make your dreams a reality!
This awesome app is like having a language tutor in your pocket. It's fun, easy to use, and packed with interactive lessons that'll have you speaking a new language in no time. Plus, you'll get a glimpse into the culture and customs of the countries where the language is spoken.
Mango Languages offers a wide variety of language courses, from Spanish and French to Mandarin Chinese and Arabic. With interactive lessons, real-world conversations, and cultural insights, Mango Languages makes learning a new language enjoyable and effective.
Here's what you can expect from Mango Languages:
- Personalized learning: Adapt your lessons to your pace and interests.
- Immersive experiences: Practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing in a variety of real-world scenarios.
- Cultural insights: Learn about the customs, traditions, and history of the countries where the language is spoken.
To get started with Mango Languages, download the app and create your profile. Start your language learning journey today!
Can’t get enough ebooks or eaudio books? We have another option for your reading enjoyment: Boundless! (Don’t worry—Libby isn’t going away.)
Access Boundless on a device:
- Download the Boundless app from the Google Playstore or App Store.
- Log-in with your library card number and PIN (it’s probably your phone number).
- Select the general profile.
- Search for your title, author, or keyword.
- Click the blue Checkout button to borrow the title.
- Read the book on your device.
Access Boundless on a desktop:
- Navigate to http://bastrop.boundless.baker-taylor.com/.
- Log-in with your library card number and PIN (it’s probably your phone number).
- Select the general profile.
- Search for your title, author, or keyword.
- When you checkout an item, it will send it automatically to the app on your device.
If you need assistance, please bring your device to the Information Desk, and we will gladly help you! Happy reading!
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Library Book Club choice – August 2024
When a skeleton is unearthed in the small, close-knit community of Chicken Hill, Pennsylvania in 1972, an unforgettable cast of characters, living on the margins of white, Christian America, closely guard a secret, especially when the truth is revealed about what happened and the part the town's white establishment played in it. This is very much a character-driven novel, and the cast of characters made for a great discussion! About half of us gave it a thumbs up and the other half split between a thumbs down and a thumbs sideways, so they recommend only picking up this bestseller if you enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
Find it: NOV McB + CD Book F McB + Libby ebooks + Libby eaudio
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt
Dianne Tripp, Friend of the Library
This issues-oriented book lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that has emerged as the “play-based childhood” of the 1980’s declined into today’s “phone-based childhood.” And while I can hear youngsters and their parents thinking, “Okay, Boomer!” as they skim this review, I still suggest that they read this treatise on mental health. Hopefully, with books like this one, we can help turn the tide away from the depression, anxiety, loneliness, and bullying that has become so prevalent today, especially for Generations Z and Alpha.
Find it: 305.23 HAI (New) + Libby ebooks + Libby eaudio
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Melissa Ashcraft, library patron
It may seem like an ordinary premise - retirement, new neighbors - but Backman has a way of making the ordinary extraordinary. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will love Ove just as much as I do!
Find it: NOV Bac + CD Book F Bac + Libby ebooks + Libby eaudio
Long Island by Colm Toibin
Becky Bennett, library board member
Irish-born Eilis returns to her hometown after learning that her husband has impregnated another woman and the woman's husband intends to drop the child off with her when it is born. Eilis informs her husband that if the child enters their home, she will never return to it. This intense, spare, character study is the follow up to Toibin's Brooklyn. However, it is not necessary to read the earlier novel first to enjoy this one. Toibin's style and voice kept me turning pages for hours at a time.
Find it: NOV Toi (New) + Libby ebooks + Libby eaudio
The Friends of the Bastrop Library welcome you to attend an author visit with Brian Porter to discuss his new book Dreams of Arcadia on Wednesday, October 16th from 5pm-6pm in the Pressley Room at the Bastrop Public Library. Guests are welcome to bring copies of the novel to the event for signing by the author.
Brian Porter lives in College Station, Texas, where he works as a veterinary pathologist. He previously worked in private veterinary practice and once taught high school chemistry. Dreams of Arcadia is his first novel.
Dreams of Arcadia is also the Library Book Club title for October! Read the book and join us on Saturday, October 19th at 11:00 am to discuss.
DREAMS OF ARCADIA:
Veterinarian Nate Holub takes a job in his father’s Texas hometown, wondering if a city boy has what it takes to be a country vet. As he struggles to adapt, Nate reconnects with his family and discovers that his father’s accidental death thirty years earlier was much more complicated than he realized.
Nate delves into the past, afraid of what he might find. He encounters a resentful cousin, a wary town patriarch, a reclusive uncle, a beguiling hidden garden, and a mysterious illness. Nate is drawn to the Holub family farm, where he seeks refuge in nature and tries desperately to reach Viola, his inscrutable grandmother. The farm is a place that haunts his memory, a place where dark secrets dwell.
Dreams of Arcadia is a touching portrait of rural America. It explores the enduring ties that hold a family together and bind a family to the land.
I had a young person ask me, “Is it hard to be a librarian?” and wow, what a great question! The easy answer is no, being a librarian is fun, exciting, rewarding, fulfilling, and challenging; but also, yes, being a librarian can be difficult, frustrating, stressful, and sometimes hard. So, what is hard about being a librarian?
People don’t know what we do : Did you know there are people in our community who believe you need a library card just to walk into the building? Some people think we only lend books, and others don’t know Bastrop has a library at all. We do good work every day by helping with computer tasks and printing; answering questions and providing research help; creating a welcoming space for people to gather; work and relax; offering programs for kids and adults; and lending hotspots, eBooks, and other materials. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone knew about the opportunities and possibilities that awaited them at their library?
There is so much we want to do: The list of things we do at the library is fairly long. But every day, we hear from our community, our colleagues, social media, blogs, and magazines about interesting programs, collaboration ideas, new technologies, and useful services we could offer. It is tempting to follow the trends and try new things, but time, money, and staffing are our limitations. We must make choices and prioritize our resources. We can’t do everything, so we do the best we can. Most days this doesn’t feel like enough.
Attacks on the library profession: According to the American Library Association, 2023 had the highest number of book challenges ever recorded, and 46% of challenges targeted public libraries. While material challenges are not new to libraries, the attempt to suppress voices of marginalized groups and the hostility toward these groups and librarians is alarming! Texas librarians, my colleagues and friends, have faced verbal abuse at work and in their personal lives, have been physically threatened, experienced vandalism of personal property, and told they are a disgrace to the community. It is hard to hear these stories, but even harder to hear that some librarians have lost their jobs for standing up for the library values we believe in and promote. Libraries should be for everyone, not just for a certain group, and their beliefs and values. Some days these challenges can feel very personal, and it’s a struggle to keep doing the work you love.
These are just three things that make being a librarian hard some days. However, the burden of these issues can be lessened with the help of people just like you! Talk to others about the library and tell them about your favorite program/service/book. Let us know if we are doing a good job and provide suggestions for programs or services that will enhance our unique community. Help us connect with groups that will multiply our impact. Take a stand to support the library and the principle that the library is for everyone, even those who are not like you. Remind people that you can choose what to do and what to access at the library and that each individual has that right too. And lastly, remember librarians are human. Passionate, dedicated, caring individuals who serve as librarians for many different reasons but each with a genuine desire to help others and make our communities better.
So long answer short, yes, some days being a librarian is hard. But most days, I think it’s the best job ever!
Bonnie Pierson,
Library Director
Do you know your history? Was your grandfather part of the Purple Gang in Detroit who smuggled alcohol to Al Capone? Did a woman in your past kill a deputy and flee the country, leaving her husband and children behind? Are you related to a sheriff who is memorialized in newspapers for quelling riots and arresting wrongdoers? These histories are all from people who were at the Bastrop County Genealogical Society meeting on Saturday, August 10th.
Are you ready to delve into your history, but unsure where to start? Here are some tips from the Society. “Talk to relatives” (which was accompanied by emphatic nodding around the table). Don’t wait until it is too late. Write it all down, not just the facts, but record your sources, and verify the information at multiple points. There are a ton of online resources to help with research and the society keeps a binder full of resources in the library’s Local History Room for everyone to use.
The society shared that there are many challenges when researching genealogy. Discrepancies in name spelling and inconsistent record keeping were identified as two major issues, but they are not insurmountable obstacles. The members all agreed the true joy to genealogy research is when you overcome the challenges, and nail down that illusive piece of information. The “AH-HA!” moment makes it all worth it.
Maybe your final question is, why should you go to a genealogical society meeting if you can do the research on your own? The answer is very easy: the greatest resource at a Bastrop County Genealogical Society meeting is its members. At the meeting, there was a first-time attendee who talked of her struggles with finding information surrounding her grandfather. Everyone listened intently, and then the group expertly picked out specific information by asking informed questions and were able to point the researcher to more resources. It was brilliant to see this sharing of information in action.
The Bastrop County Genealogical Society meets the 2nd Saturday of every month, 1:00-4:00 p.m., in the Maynard Conference Room and is open to everyone. The meeting is divided into three sections, open research and genealogy 101, skills development, and open discussion. We hope to see you at the next meeting!
Our history talk on July 27th was a success! Dock Jackson, chairperson of the Kerr Community Center Board of Directors, talked to us about the history of the Kerr Center and the integral role it served in Bastrop’s history as the community center for African Americans.
The Kerr Center is currently hosting “Harriet Tubman: The Journey to Freedom” by Wesley Wexford. Clint Howard, owner of Pyrology Foundry & Studio, explained the creation process of the statue and how the statue not only represents the role Harriet Tubman is known for in the Underground Railroad, but also, how in doing the work to help others, Harriet reclaimed her power and freed herself.
The statue is on exhibit through August 31st at the Kerr Center (1308 Walnut St). The Kerr Center would like to invite everyone to join them on August 31st in celebration of the 110th anniversary as Harriet is sent on to her next stop in what was fondly referred to as “Harriet’s Chariot.”
The Bastrop Public Library would like to thank Dock Jackson, Clint Howard, Jamie Howard, and Sheila Lowe for the time they took to put together the presentation, and we would like to invite everyone to join us, Saturday October 26th at 1:30 pm in the Pressley Meeting Room, for our next History Talk, “Bastrop History with Ken Kesselus.” Ken will be taking questions from the audience about the rich history of Bastrop. So, save up your questions, and join us.
If you are interested in receiving updates or reminders about history talks, please email us at info@bastroplibrary.org.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Library Book Club pick – July 2024
In 1789 Maine, midwife and healer Martha, who is good at keeping secrets, investigates a shocking murder linked to an alleged rape that has shaken her small town, especially when her diary lands at the center of the scandal, threatening to tear both her family and her community apart. In 200+ years, many things haven’t changed: women’s opinions are often discounted, the rich are powerful and treated differently by the justice system, and there is still too little justice for rape survivors. This is a harrowing book, but it is so good. We all gave it a thumbs up.
Find it: NOV Law + Libby ebooks + Libby eAudio
Long Lost by Harlan Coben
Margaret K., summer reader
Contacted by a woman with whom he had an affair years earlier, Myron Bolitar learns how she has been wrongfully accused of murdering her ex-husband, a situation that is further complicated by a long-hidden family secret. There are so many turns in this plot! It kept me reading with a hunger!
Find it: MYS Cob + Libby ebooks
El barrilito magico de papa by Jesus Trejo
Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesus Trejo
Jacob S., summer reader
In this humorous picture book, a little boy makes a big, funny mistake and learns the value of resources like time and water--both of which have a magic all their own. ¡Me gusto mucho!
Find it: SPA E Tre + E Tre (2x2 Books)
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Claire C., summer reader
Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why -- or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch -- and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive. I love books with connections, and this one was good. Super amazing and awesome ending!! Perfect for readers who like mysteries with puzzles rather than dead bodies.
Find it: YA F Bar + Libby ebooks + Libby eAudio
Have you seen that meme—or maybe you remember it when it happened live—of Oprah giving everyone a car: “You get a car! You get a car! You all get cars!”
That’s what it’s like with our seed library!
A seed library collects and stores seeds and shares them with members of the community without charge—you don’t even need a library card. We receive donated seeds; repackage them for small-scale planting; you take them home to grow; and when you harvest them, you bring us back some of the seeds for other gardeners.
Our seed library started thanks to an initial donation of seeds from Central Texas Seed Savers in Austin. Since then, we’ve had various donations from local gardeners. As of writing this article, we have sunflower seeds, scallions, cilantro, several species of carrots and lettuce, and more. Stop by and pick up a couple packages today.
And with fall planting around the corner, we hope you’ll stop by and grab some seeds—and share any seeds you can with us!
Bastrop County Master Gardeners is also on the calendar with some great gardening content to support your sprouts!
Join the Bastrop County Master Gardeners to learn how to compost to benefit your garden.
With their information, we know your garden will be blooming in no time!
Have you loved a book and want to shout it to the world? Email us at info@bastroplibrary.org and tell us about it! We’d love to include it in an upcoming newsletter!
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
Library Book Club choice – June 2024
This character-driven and haunting story features a southeastern Nigerian mother's discovery of her son's body on her doorstep, leading to family’s struggles to understand the enigmatic nature of a youth shaped by disorienting blackouts, diverse friendships, and a cousin's worldly influence. While not a favorite story of anyone who attended, there was a lively discussion and everyone enjoyed learning about another culture and other lifestyles. In all, a thumbs up!
Find it: NOV Eme + Libby ebooks + Libby eAudio
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Joan A., library patron
An interesting, plot-twisting story! Daphne, a plus-size influencer, confronts the dynamics of friendship and forgiveness while visiting home to attend an old (sometimes) friend’s wedding. This amusing and authentic story made me think twice about the social media scene, internet trails, and the amount of information you can get about people when you start searching online –as wells as the whole concept of mean girls and the struggle between the classes of people. This is a book that makes you think twice after you delve beneath the surface.
Find it: NOV Wei + CD Book F Wei + Libby eAudio
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Zaylee, J., library patron
This book needs to be talked about more!! I absolutely loved this fast-paced dark fantasy story set in a magical Africa. If you like epic YA fantasy by authors such as Leigh Bardugo, Maggie Stiefvater, Garth Nix, Holly Black, Jonathan Stroud, Libby Bray, Sarah J. Maas, Namina Forna, amongst others, I highly recommend Children of Blood and Bone. I can’t wait to start the second one!
Find it: YA F Ade + Libby ebooks + eAudio
Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones by Susan Lendroth
Nayelli R. (and her daughter), library patrons
Set to the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush," Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones invites budding paleontologists and dinosaur fans on an exciting fossil dig. And my daughter loves singing along to it! Get it for your little one to enjoy, too!
Find it: E 567.9 Len
Have you loved a book and want to shout it to the world? Email us at info@bastroplibrary.org and tell us about it! We’d love to include it in an upcoming newsletter!
Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington
M. Farley, library patron
Blacklisted from her top choice Ivy League college, prestigious Edgewater Academy scholarship student Adina participates in the Finish, a high-stakes competition whose prize of wealth and power can open any door, only to find that she's playing for her life. This is a chilling thriller full of deadly games, surprising twists, morally questionable characters, and all that with a satisfying ending. Overall, great read!
Find it: YA F Wel + Libby ebooks + Libby eaudio
The River by Peter Heller
M. Strong, library patron
Two college students on a wilderness canoe trip find their survival skills and longtime best friendship tested by a wildfire, white-water hazards, and two mysterious strangers in this fast-paced and suspenseful survival story. I loved it! And couldn’t put it down. Nature, adventure, suspense. It pulls you in from the first page, and it doesn’t let go!
Find it: MYS Hel
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
Cynthia Camacho, library patron
When his 100-million-dollar inheritance comes with a catch--he must be happily married for five years, Liam Weston, the uptight heir of a grocery chain, turns to his secret not-so-ex-wife Anna, a feisty, foul-mouthed artist, to fake their relationship and convince his one-percenter parents they're in love. This is cute, witty, and funny, and I loved the storyline! It’s a must-read for the summer for romance fans.
Find it: ROM Lau (New)
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Leslie Enriquez, library patron
This gentle, heartwarming, and whimsical story explores a widow's unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who reluctantly resides at the local aquarium. With Marcellus’s helpthe truths she finally uncovers about her son's disappearance 30 years ago. Great story, lots of interesting characters and of course the amazing octopus!
Find it: NOV Van + CD Book F Van + Libby ebooks + Libby eaudio
Have you loved a book and want to shout it to the world? Email us at info@bastroplibrary.org and tell us about it! We’d love to include it in an upcoming newsletter!
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Library Book Club choice – April 2024
In this darkly humorous and character-driven story, Tookie, an Objibwe woman, works in an independent bookstore in Minneapolis. However, it is far from restful as a recently deceased customer begins to haunt the bookstore. On top of that, the world shuts down during COVID and Minneapolis and Tookie are hit hard by George Floyd’s murder. Library Book Club members had a fantastic conversation covering topics from believing in ghosts to how books can be transformative as they show us perspectives we had not known before.
Find it: NOV Erd + Libby ebooks + Libby eAudio
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
Melissa Ashcraft, library patron
This character-driven and compelling psychological fiction starts with a horrific crash. As the unnamed man recovers in the hospital, he is visited by a mysterious woman who insists they are soulmates and begins to tell him the stories of all the lives they have previously lived. Stories within the story, each one more beautiful than the last, make this one of the most interesting books you will ever read.
Find it: Libby ebooks
Owning Up by George Pelecanos
Dianne Tripp, Friend of the Library
Drawn together by themes of strife, violence and humanity, this searing collection of four stories introduces characters who defy the mold of heroes and villains, victims and perpetrators, good and evil as they grapple with consequence, random chance and the many paths a life can take. The characters in author/writer Pelecanos’s short stories come in all shapes and sizes—and ethics. I’m looking forward to more of his books and tv shows!
Find it: MYS Pel (New)
No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall
Brenda Smith, library volunteer
Three sisters return to their family home 14 years after their parents were murdered there. The mystery of their death was never solved. Is one sister --or all of them-- responsible for the deaths? None of the girls is honest with her siblings about what they know. This terrifying mystery is a must-read if you like to stay up all night to finally discover what really happened that horrifying evening. I read this book very quickly as I just had to get to the truth!
Find it: MYS Mar (New) + Libby eAudio
The Summer Reading Adventure begins on Tuesday, May 28th! Register to participate at the library or in the Beanstack app, where you can log your minutes and spend your tickets on grand prize baskets!
NEW this year! At registration, youth will receive their first book! Adults, at registration, will receive a $2 Book Nook coupon to spend until August 31, 2024. Additional book prizes and Book Nook coupons will be earned at 500 and 1,000 minutes.
There will be 10 grand prize baskets for readers to put their entries into. Grand prize baskets this year are a $100 gift card to Cherry Blossom Spa, $50 Texas State Parks gift card, Fast Food Fest featuring gift cards to various local fast food spots, School Supply Basket, Drawing Kit, LEGO Basket, Craft Kit, Film Alley Fun Basket, Science Kit, and Manga Basket! So many goodies to choose from!
For every 500 minutes up to 10,000 minutes, you earn an additional entry into the grand prize basket of your choice!
We’ve got fun activities planned every day of Opening Week. So stop in to register (or register wherever you have internet access via the Beanstack app) and have some fun, too!
Tuesday, May 28: Adventure Scavenger Hunt from 12:00-8:00 p.m.
Start your summer off with an adventure! Stop by the Children's Area to pick up a scavenger hunt that will take you on an adventure through Main Street and Fisherman's Park. Participants will receive an entry into the Opening Week Basket and a s'mores bar snack!
Wednesday, May 29:
Our packing list of camping supplies isn’t quite ready to share with this activity yet. Check back later!
Thursday, May 30: Mario Kart Tournaments
We’re have three different tournaments for three different age groups! Are you and your thumbs quick enough to win the prize?! Each tournament will run for 45 minutes, so there are two tournaments per program to hopefully accommodate all gamers! Extra tv’s and consoles for free play will be available, as well. Participants will receive an entry into the Opening Week Basket and a s'mores bar snack!
Kids: 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Teens: 4:45-6:25 p.m.
Adults: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Friday, May 31: Whodunit? The Missing Camping Gear from 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Someone hid Ms. Bonnie's camping gear! Can you help us solve the mystery? Stop in at the Children’s Area for your first clue before heading out throughout the library! Participants will receive an entry into the Opening Week Basket and a s'mores bar snack!
Saturday, June 1: Silent Reading Club from 10:00-3:30 p.m.
All ages are welcome to bring your book --or pick one off the shelves-- and get cozy in a Snug Reading Space. When you participate, you earn DOUBLE minutes for Beanstack AND an entry in the Opening Week Basket!
Movie Mondays are back this year! Bring a blanket or pillow, and we’ll provide the movie and a small snack. Use the clues below to see if you can figure out the movies or call the library at 512-332-8880 for the title.
June 3:
In a city where fire-, water-, land-, and air-residents live together, our two protagonists discover how much they actually have in common.
June 17:
Our favorite Italian brothers travel through an underground labyrinth, trying to save a captured princess.
July 1:
A young girl wishes on a star, but gets more than she bargarined for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her.
July 15:
A prequel to a Roald Dahl favorite, we follow a young candy-maker in his dream of opening his own chocolate factory.
We’re going on an adventure with these bi-weekly programs for elementary kids!
Monday, June 10: Games Galore from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Come out for some fun summer-camp games! All games are inside, but closed-toed shoes are recommended.
Monday, June 24: Crafting Around the World from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Go on an adventure and travel around the world by making a craft for each of the seven continents!
Monday, July 8:
This camper isn’t ready to get up yet! The sleeping bag is just too cozy! Come back later for more details on this Adventures program.
Monday, July 22: Minute-to-Win-It from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Does your elementary-aged kid have some energy to burn off? Come out to the Bastrop Public Library for some games and super-fast speed! So many games and so much fun; you won't want to miss it!
Storytime for preschoolers includes books, fingerplays, songs, counting, and more. Here are our themes for this summer:
MAY
May 29 & 31: Treasure Hunt
Come start your summer adventure by hunting for hidden (and not so hidden) treasure.
JUNE
June 5 & 7: Jungle Adventure
What will we find in the jungle? Lions? Monkeys? Elephants? Join us on a book trek through the foliage to see what we can find.
June 12 & 14: Under the Sea
The ocean may sparkle in the sun, but whats underneath the surface is the real star of storytime today. I will be a fish-tastic day!
June 19: Library closed for Juneteenth
June 21: Yoga Storytime
Bend, stretch, and breath as we explore the calming practice of yoga for kids.
June 26 & 28: Superheroes
Heros are everywhere! Join us as regular kids, hear some stories, sing some somgs, and leave as a superhero. You might even get a cape!
JULY
July 3 & 5: Wiggle and Move
It's hot outside, but we will be cool as we wiggle, jiggle, jump, and dance. We will explore movement and how our bodies move with stories and songs.
July 10 & 12: Dragons
Who's afraid of dragons? Not us! Loveable, adorable, friendly dragons are our topic today.
July 17 & 19: Transportation
Cars, and trucks, and trains, oh, my! We'll be vrooming and zooming through stories about how we get from place to place. Buckle up for a fun story ride.
July 24 & 26: Bubbles
We are ending the summer reading program with a fun morning of bubble stories and bubble play. Come float in the breeze with us!
Join us in the Pressley meeting room for a fun storytime presented in English and Spanish.
June 6: Colors! Colores!
June 20: Los Dinosaurios
July 18: Lost Insectos
Únase con nosotros para disfrutar de una divertida hora de cuento presentada en inglés y español.
6 de junio: Colors! Colores!
20 de junio: Los Dinosaurios
18 de julio: Lost Insectos
Get cozy in your pajamas, grab your favorite stuffed animal or blankie, and come to the library for our monthly evening storytime with Ms. Bonnie and Ms. Ariel. Listen to stories, sing songs, and wind down before tucking into bed. It’s great for anyone with children under 5 years old.
June 18: Rock-a-Bye Baby
Sweet baby stories and songs will guarantee lots of cuddles this evening.
July: 16: 5 Fingers, 5 Toes
Simple counting stories provide a time for interacting with your child tonight.
We supply the LEGO’s. You supply the creativity! Building challenges, group interaction, and more. Geared toward elementary kids, tweens, and families, however everyone is welcome. Children under 8 years of age must be supervised by an adult.
LEGO Club meets on third Tuesdays (June 18 and July 16) from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Sign-up to receive email reminders on our website.
Family LEGO Fun this summer will be on Saturday, July 13 from 10:30-12:30 p.m.! Bring the whole family for some STEM fun!
Let's pair-up your elementary-aged child with a teen to read together! RSVP your child and teens at info@bastroplibrary.org to participate. All minutes read count for Beanstack logging!
There are two Dungeons and Dragons campaigns for experienced players! Bring your character and join us for a teen campaign! Players must be between 13 and 17 years old.
Mondays: 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Teen Room
Thursdays: 2:00-4:45 p.m.
Maynard Conference Room
Do you have a half-finished sewing or quilting project gathering dust? Bring it to our Sewing & Quilting Group where you cat chat and stitch and finish --or start!-- a project!
We meet every Monday from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Maynard Conference Room.
Do you enjoy knitting or crocheting? Bring your current project and chat and stitch with other knitters!
We meet every Friday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Maynard Conference Room.
Meet us for a classic movie at the library! This program is geared for adults, but all ages are welcome.
Use the clues below to see if you can figure out the movies or call the library at 512-332-8880 for the title. Movies will start at 1:00 p.m.
June 13:
The teenage girls Esther and Rose are paired off, and the Smiths get to visit the World's Fair as one big happy family.
July 11:
A cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.
Meet us for card and board games at the library! This program is geared for adults, but all ages are welcome.
Thursday, June 27th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 25th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
All adults who love books, want to talk about books, and meet new people are welcome! You don’t have to read the chosen book to attend or participate in the conversation!
June 15: The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
Find it in the library: NOV Eme
July 20: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Find it in the library: NOV Law
Read the ebook or eaudio
Bastrop County Master Gardeners are joining us twice this summer to share their gardening expertise! Both programs are from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Pressley Meeting Room.
June 20: Growing Vegetables
Learn from Bastrop County Master Gardeners how to grow vegetables with our Central Texas climate and soil.
July 18: Building Fantastic Growing Soil
Learn from Bastrop County Master Gardeners how to cultivate fantastic growing soil-- the lazy way!
Padres bilingües, vengan con sus hijos para que ellos jueguen mientras ustedes conocen a otros padres y disfrutan una tacita de café.
Bilingual parents, bring your children so they can play while you meet other parents and enjoy a cup of coffee.
Come craft and chat with a community of like-minded crafters!
We meet on fourth Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Maynard Conference Room. To receive an email reminder, subscribe on our website.
And we have other crafting groups, including Knitting Group that meets every Friday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and Sewing & Quilting Group that meets every Monday from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Teens 13-17 years old are welcome to attend Teen Thursdays every week from 4:45-6:15 p.m. for fun and friends!
MAY
May 30: Mario Kart Tourney for Teens
Are you and your thumbs quick enough to win the prize?! The first tournament will run from 4:45-5:30 and the second tournament will begin at 5:30, in case you can’t make the first one. Extra tv’s and consoles for free play will be available, as well.
JUNE
June 6: Board Games
Join us for a variety of table-top games and lots of fun!
June 13: Splatter Painting
Let's paint outside using water guns and markers! Please wear clothes you do not mind getting paint on!
June 20: Tropical Treats
Try a variety of tropical fruits, snacks, and drinks that you may have never had before!
June 27: Diamond Painting
Relax in the A/C with some coaster diamond painting and pixel coloring sheets.
JULY
July 4: Closed for Independence Day
July 11: AgriLife and AcaiBowls
Make your own acai bowls as you learn about AgriLife!
July 18: LEGO Olympics and Oreos
Can you complete some Lego challenges? Snack on some oreos as we compete with Legos this Thursday!
July 25: Guessing Game
Test your 5 senses as we touch, see, hear, smell, and taste mystery items. Guess with us this Thursday!
Are you over 60? Do you suffer from chronic illness pain or struggle with diabetes? The Area Agency on Aging is offering two new 6-weeks-long classes to help you manage your well-being!
If you live with a chronic condition, are interested in symptom and medication management, want to learn proper exercise and nutrition, and want to know what questions to ask your doctor, you are a perfect candidate for attending Chronic Illness Pain Management.
In these classes, you’ll learn to manage your symptoms, incorporate exercise, monitor your nutrition, talk with your doctor, make informed treatment decisions, deal with emotions, and control stress.
The Chronic Illness Pain Management course will meet weekly on Tuesdays, May 7th through June 11th from 1:00-3:30 p.m. in the Maynard Conference Room. Registration is required. To reserve your spot, please call the library at 512-332-8880. There is no cost for you!
If you have type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or a family member of someone with type 2 diabetes; you are interested in symptom and treatment management; want to learn proper exercise and nutrition; want to know what questions to ask your doctor, you would be the exact right person to take the Diabetes Management classes.
Experts on living with diabetes will share with you how to prevent low blood sugar, monitor your nutrition, plan low-fat meals, talk with your doctor about your diabetes, care for your feet, set weekly goals, and control stress.
The Diabetes Management course will meet weekly on Tuesdays, June 4th through July 16th (skipping July 9th) from 10:00-12:30 p.m. in the Maynard Conference Room. Registration is required. To reserve your spot, please call the library at 512-332-8880. There is no cost for you!
If your chronic illness pain or diabetes is making it difficult for you to play with your grandchildren, participate in a hobby, or otherwise live a fulfilling life, call and register for one or both of these classes today!
Tuesday, June 11th at 2:00 p.m. in the Bastrop Convention Center
Mad Science of Austin will bring a spectacular science show that will entertain kids and parents alike with chemical reactions, fantastic forces, and amazing demonstrations. This will be especially enjoyable for elementary age kids, but everyone is welcome.
Tuesday, July 23rd at 11:00 a.m. in the Bastrop Convention Center
Mad About Hoops brings an exciting hula hoop experience to you. Join us for an energetic and informative show that emphasizes fun and fitness. This will be especially enjoyable for elementary age kids, but everyone is welcome.
Celebrate the end of our summer program with a twilight Camping Adventure! Eat a hotdog, sing at the "campfire," and play some games before we raise a loud cheer for all of our summer readers and draw for the Summer Reading Grand Prize Baskets.
Tuesday, July 23: Pave Your Own Path from 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Where will your decisions take you? Find out by participating in a Pave Your Own Path activity that starts at the Summer Reading Desk.
Wednesday, July 24: Fishing for Time from 10:00-5:30 p.m.
Do you have minutes left to record? Come see how much you can "catch" and we'll log it for you!
Friday, July 26: Silent Reading Club from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Bring your book --or pick one off the shelves-- and get cozy in a Snug Reading Space. When you participate, you earn DOUBLE minutes for all the last-minute Beanstack loggers!
Coffee with Catherine has gotten an update after Catherine's retirement!
We are now "Coffee & Friends," but we're still here for the same thing: friends, conversation, and a cup of joe!
Here are the topics we'll be covering this summer:
MAY
May 29, 2024: Summer Reading: Adventure Begins
Our theme for the Summer Reading Program this year is Adventure Begins, and we are taking a camping route! Bring in a picture and/or a memory about when you've gone camping. Did it go well? Were there lots of bugs? Have you ever worked at a summer camp?
JUNE
June 5, 2024: We're still working on this one!
June 12, 2024: Memorable Travel Experience
What is one of your most memorable travel experiences? Was it spontaneous or well planned? Did you experience a different culture? A favorite food? How did it enlighten you?
June 19, 2024: Closed for Juneteenth
June 26, 2024: Bed Turning
A bed turning is an old-fashioned activity where women used to get together to show off their quilts. Our Sewing and Quilting Group will be bringing several of the quilts they completed to show off. But you're invited to share, too! Bring a quilt or blanket you've made or is a family heirloom to share the story behind.
JULY
July 3, 2024: Parks and Recreation Month
July is National Parks and Recreation Month. Join Cami from Bastrop Recreation Center and hear how you can get involved in the fun they host in our community!
July 10, 2024: State Parks Volunteering
Here some of Kathy's great stories about her time as a state parks volunteer! Would you have what it takes?!
July 17, 2024: We're still working on this one!
July 24, 2024: Christmas in July
Let's celebrate the best time of the year twice! Join us a for a fun Christmas-themed topic as we melt fast as snowmen in this Texas heat!
Can you find your way home from this camping adventure?
Follow the clues and solve the puzzles to see if you and your friends can escape in time. Registration will open on June 25th and is required.
This year, there are 22 slots available for your group of six to reserve. Reservation times will be between Tuesday, July 9 and Saturday, July 13. All participants must be at least 8 years old.
Registration will open June 25. Be on the lookout for details on how to register closer to that date!
Saturday, June 8 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come learn about and celebrate a Texas hero, Silvia Webber, who escaped from slavery and devoted much of her life to helping others escape tool. You will make a paper quilt that tells the story and it will be displayed in the Bastrop Freedom Colonies Museum this summer.
This program is designed for kids, but all ages are welcome!
Book Suggestions
We’re expanding who writes newsletter reviews so that we can get a variety of genre suggestions for all types of readers! If you’ve read a book and want to write a positive review for the newsletter, please email us at info@bastroplibrary.org.
News of the World by Paulette Giles
Library Book Club choice – March 2024
We had a small group at the March meeting. Most of us enjoyed News of the World, especially Jiles's descriptions of Central Texas in springtime. We talked about other books that we've read depicting captives, both fiction and nonfiction, including Olive Oatman's Blue Tattoo, Scott Zesch's The Captured, and Philipp Meyer's The Son.
Find it: NOV Jil + LT F Jil + Libby ebooks
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus
Brenda Smith, library volunteer
17-year-old scuba diver Jay is swallowed by a sperm whale while trying to find his estranged father's remains. This unusual book is both quite disturbing and fascinating! Does Jay survive and get out of the whale by using knowledge passed down from his late dad? Or is Jay just smart enough himself to figure a way out? Based on true science of whales and other sea life, this book is like nothing I have read in a while. Glad I took a chance, picked it up, and read it with great apprehension and pleasure. You should too!
Find it: SFF Kra + Libby ebooks + Libby eAudio
The Seven Day Switch by Kelly Harms
Amanda Shuman, library patron
Freaky Friday, but for moms! This book was so relatable: I felt like the author was in my head at times. It was funny, entertaining, and made you thankful for your family (whatever it looks like). Highly recommend if you need a good laugh!
Find it: NOV Har
The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson
Dianne Tripp, Friend of the Library
This witty and conversational narrative nonfiction book is my favorite so far this year! Written in laymen's terms and with humor, it is a fascinating look at the human body and how it functions. I promise you will learn something new, and it's such a fun read.
Find it: 612 Bry + CD Book 612 Bry + Libby ebooks + Libby eAudio
Geared toward preschoolers and their grown-ups, come and play with peers!
Tuesday, June 4 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Building Blocks: Join us in the Children's Area and have some fun with our foam blocks and more!
Tuesday, July 19 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Dinosaurs: Join us in the Children's Area and have some fun with everything dinosaur!
Join us in the Children's Area for some simple and fun crafts! All ages are welcome, but the crafts are geared towards younger elementary schoolers. Grown-ups' help with fine motor skills will be needed to a small extent.
Friday, June 14 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Fireflies in the Night Sky: Have you noticed the fireflies on summer nights? Come craft with us and make your own firefly hand puppet!
Friday, June 28 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Red, White, and Blue: Getting ready for our local Patriotic Fest? Come craft with us and make your own streamers to celebrate with!
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Library Book Club choice – February 2024
Waiting to be chosen by a customer, an Artificial Friend programmed with high perception observes the activities of shoppers while exploring fundamental questions about what it means to love. This introspective and character-driven story is so relevant to current events including AI essays in schools, legal briefs in the justice system, and how all of this is affecting society as a whole. If you want to really explore how you feel about the AI explosion, Klara and the Sun is a great read.
Find it: NOV Ish + Libby ebooks
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Brenda Smith, library volunteer
Reese's Book Club Pick describes this book as a "fast-paced read [that] has everything you could want in a thriller,” and I totally agree! The main character, Evie, doesn't really exist; she's a con artist at her very best. This page-turner has some romance, a lot of complications, blackmail, deceit, flashbacks, and more trickery than Loki the trickster god. Get your work done early because you won't want to put this mystery down until you finish it!
Find it: MYS Els (New) + Libby ebooks
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Cary Kittrell, library staff
Evie is forced to accept a job with Rennedawn’s most infamous villain in this cozy fantasy. This book balances just the right amount of romance; humor; mystery; twists; severed heads; errant eyeballs; and a terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. But something rotten is growing in this town, and someone wants to take the nefarious villain out, which would put Evie back to looking for a new job—not something she wants to do again. Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss, but also figure out who is sabotaging his work… I enjoyed this book so much that I will be waiting with very little patience for the next book!
Find it: SFF Mae (New) + Libby ebooks
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
Bethany Dietrich, library staff
This powerful novel features three Canadian women across three decades that explores wanting to be a mother and not wanting to be a mother—and all the gray areas in between. Angela, in 2017, is trying to conceive via IVF. In 1960, Evelyn is forced into an “unwed mothers” home to give up her baby. And, in 1979, Nancy is horrified by witnessing a cousin’s sordid back-alley abortion. How do these women’s lives intersect and how will they each influence one another? This character-driven novel tells a moving story of girl power and feminism that I absolutely loved.
Find it: NOV Mar + Libby ebooks
El día de los niños
Sea parte de la primera celebración de Dia: El día de los niños/ El día de los libros en Bastrop. Tendremos una hora de cuento bilingüe, libros, actividades divertidas, ¡y mucho más!
martes, 30 de abril de 2024
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Día Celebration
Children’s Day/Book Day
Join us to celebrate Bastrop's first Día: Children's Day/Book Day with a bilingual storytime, books, fun activities, and much more!
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Learn more about Día
Bastrop is in the path of the total solar eclipse!
The eclipse will be visible throughout Bastrop and the Lost Pines Region from approximately 12:20 pm - 2:25 pm CST on April 8, 2024. Bastrop is located just outside the path of totality, but the viewing experience should be very close to those inside the path of totality. Bastrop locals and visitors will experience about 1 minute and 46 seconds of the (almost) total solar eclipse at 1:36 pm CST.
Join Bastrop Public Library, Bastrop Recreation, and Visit Bastrop for a Solar Eclipse Watch Party!
Bob Bryant Park
600 Charles Blvd.
Bastrop, TX
April 8, 2024
12:00-2:00 p.m.
There is no charge to attend and those in attendance will receive solar glasses as supplies last.
For more details, visit https://www.visitbastrop.com/event/bastrop-solar-eclipse-watch-party-2024/6941/ and https://www.visitbastrop.com/2024-eclipse/.
Join Austin Financial Center at Bastrop Public Library in April to boost your financial know-how!
Participants receive an entry for a door prize of a $25 gift card to HEB each time they attend a Financial Literacy program in April!
Saturday, April 13, 2024: Increasing Cash Flow and Debt Management - The average Texan has over $52,000 of debt according to Business Insider. Let's learn from Austin Financial Center how to resize your income for your "outcome" of bills, groceries, student loans, car payments, and more.
Saturday, April 20, 2024: Retirement Planning and Optimizing Social Security and Medicare Benefits - According to AARP, about 20% of retirees are working either part- or full-time. Whether or not this describes you or someone in your family, let's learn from Austin Financial Center about retirement planning and optimizing social security and medicare benefits.
Saturday, April 27, 2024: Estate Planning for Health and Wealth - Are you part of the 67% of Americans that don't have a will and/or have done estate planning? Let's fix that with Austin Financial Center!
Each program will run from 11:00-12:00 p.m. in the Pressley Meeting Room.
Improve your finances by attending even just one session!
Join us for Library Book Club on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 11:00-12:30.
We’ll be discussing The Sentence by Louise Erdrich.
Find it: NOV Erd + Libby ebook + Libby eaudio
Sign-up to receive monthly reminders of upcoming LBC sessions.
Join the Master Gardeners as they share information on Texas native and adapted plants and Texas superstar-growing plants.
They'll also share information on seed gathering so that you can join the cycle of seed saving and sharing with Bastrop Public Library's seed library!
Thursday, April 4, 2024
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Pressley Meeting Room at Bastrop Public Library
Sign-up to learn about future gardening programs at the library.
A Look into McDade’s Wild West History will be presented by Vicky Rose on Saturday, April 27th from 1:30-2:30.
The coming of the railroad to McDade brought gamblers, pimps, pickpockets, and thieves, all intent on draining the wages of railroad workers. The aftermath of the Civil War brought an out-of-control crime spree that extended to every person who lived in the area. It soon became an all-out war between vicious gangs and vigilantes determined to stop them.
Mark your calendar, because this will be a tale that's truth-- not tall!
Sign-up to receive save the dates and reminders of upcoming history programs at Bastrop Public Library.
Was your New Year's Resolution to be calmer and more relaxed? How's that goal coming along?
Join retired UT professor and author Farnaz Masumian at the Bastrop Public Library on Saturday, April 6th from 11:00-1:00 to reinvigorate your goal of tranquility and peace.
Whether you enjoy Skip-Bo, Hand and Foot, Scrabble, Monopoly, or other games, Meet at the Library for Games!
Join us on fourth Thursdays of the month from 1-3pm in the Pressley Meeting Room.
If movies are more your cup of tea, make sure to Meet at the Library for Movies on second Thursdays of the month!
For the movie buffs, Meet at the Library for Movies on second Thursdays of the month from 1-3pm in the Pressley Meeting Room.
We have a great line-up of movies for the next five months. Can you figure them out from these clues? Call us at 512-332-8880 to confirm the movie titles, but just show up each month to watch them!
Jan. 11 – A man builds a baseball field and hopes they will come.
Feb. 8 – A renegade reporter and a young runaway heiress are stuck with one another when their bus leaves them behind.
Mar. 14 – John Wayne, playing a retired American boxer, falls for a spirited redhead whose brother is contemptuous of their union.
April 11 – Nightclub performer Fred Astaire hires a naive chorus girl to become his new dance partner to make his former partner jealous in this musical that proves we aren’t in Kansas anymore.
May 9 – Shirley Temple is a mischief-maker when she’s sent back to Maryland.
You are welcome to bring light refreshments for yourself to munch on while watching the movie.
If games are more your speed, make sure to join us for Meet at the Library for Games on fourth Thursdays.
Get ready for Festival De La Cultura – a vibrant celebration of Hispanic heritage! Join us for an authentic, family-friendly fiesta featuring a kaleidoscope of artists, a feast of culinary wonders, and a colorful tapestry of traditions from every corner of the Hispanic world.
Experience the heartbeat of Hispanic heritage at Mayfest Park on April 27 and 28, 2024.
For more details: https://festivaldelacultura.com/
The Friends of Bastrop Public Library and Lost Pines Garden Club are teaming up again this year for the Book and Plant Sale!
Friday, May 3rd from 10:00-6:00
9:00-10:00am on Friday: First pick for FOL members!
Saturday, May 4th from 10:00-3:00
Lost Pines Garden Club’s Plant Sale on Saturday from 10:00-whenever plants sell out!
Summer Reading 2024 kicks off with Opening Week on Tuesday, May 28 and goes through Saturday, July 27!
Be on the look out for updates on Adventures Begins at Your Library later this spring!
