The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Friends of the Bridge City Public Library in cooperation with the Texas State Library’s Reading Club 2013 is offering a Wednesday morning story time and reading program.

Children from Pre-K through the fifth grade are invited to participate. Those who register at the library from May 28 through June 4 will receive a timed reading log to record the time spent reading. It is suggested participants read at least 15 minutes daily.

The reading logs need to be turned in to the library by June 24. Only those who return logs will receive recognition for their accomplishments.

This summer the library will host programs with special guests. Preschool children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the program. All of the programs begin at 11 a.m. and end at noon.

Starting on June 5, Jim Pennington will present the Texas A&M Chemistry Road Show followed by Chester Moore who will ask, “Think you know the great outdoors?” Tiffany Ivy will host “Put that fire out, Mr. Fireman on June 19 and Don Vercher will make balloon animals on June 26. Janelle Ramsey will be at the library on July 10 talking about Pecos Bill who is not the only folktale. Jo Ann Russell will present a program on Therapy Dogs Caution and being safe around dogs followed by Becky Webb on July 24 about pygmy goats liking to be petted. Finally, on July 31 there will be an awards ceremony with the Bridge City Strutters.

The Friends of the Bridge City Public Library began as a support committee in March 1988 when twenty concerned citizens addressed the needs of the community to establish the city’s first public library. The response from the public was tremendous. By August 1988 a non-binding referendum passed showing support for a new public library and the city appointed an advisory board for the library.

The group worked for two years prior to the completion of the 2,500 square foot structure in 1991 by receiving donations of thousands of books which they sorted and processed in preparation to putting them on the library shelves. The Friends supervised volunteers as they set up a make-shift library in a former dance studio to get ready to open. The city funded the building of the slab and shell exterior of the metal building.

After many man hours of labor by the Friends of the Library, to build the interior of the new metal structure and to raise funds to purchase shelving, equipment, new books and fixtures their dreams are closer to reality. After more than 1,000 volunteer hours to physically build the library and using many donations of materials and supplies, the new library was completed and the doors opened to the public on March 18, 1991.

The Friends have continued to support the library since its opening. Ongoing projects have included organizing and maintaining the summer reading club for area children and providing guest speakers for the summer reading programs. In addition, they have assisted in the Lapsit Children’s preschool program throughout the year and worked on providing an ongoing book sale in the library’s lobby. To help keep the library going they encourage memorial and honor donations while they continue to seek funding for the library.

The library currently serves 3,344 registered patrons. It is an accredited member of the Texas State Library, and participates in the state’s Texshare program which allows patrons to borrow from other Texas libraries, In addition, the library is an active member of the Southeast Texas Libraries Discussion Group.

For more information, the Bridge City Public Library’s phone number is 409-735-4242. The library is located at 101 Parkway.