Excitement as Wimberley Library expansion opens

Magic was in the air as patrons lined up for the April 1 reopening of the Wimberley Village Library, this time in its brand new wing. When the doors opened at 10 a.m., a line reached out the door to the parking lot, with everyone excited to see the new facility. Within minutes, joyful sounds from the kids and teens using their new spaces mixed with the “oohs and aahs” of the adults seeing the building for the first time. Library Director Carolyn Manning noted that in just the first four days of April, circulation numbers reached half of February’s total. “People are so happy to use this new, beautiful space,” she added.

Teens have their own larger space, with a big-screen TV and game console, a big study table and nooks for reading or private conversations.

On Monday, a group of teens immediately began a group video game, while others perused the book collection.

On Tuesday, a group of homeschoolers met with their tutor at the conference table as another teen navigated a world in Virtual Reality. Josie Bisett, Teen Librarian, noted, “I am giddy with excitement about our new teen space. It is so much bigger, but it still feels cozy and private. I love that we have three nooks for the kids to use. They can read or do their homework, or just hang with friends. The space is open, so the books are much more accessible. This week we have had many new teens stop by to check out the new space.” Teen Tristyn Savage commented, “I love that there is something for everyone, and we can all hang out together, doing our own thing. The books are really cool.”

Children have a much larger space, including a “Mommy and Me” area, a “Story Time” area, play spaces, and room for books and other materials.

Mom Stephanie Moody noted, “The new library is a dream come true. It is such a great space for the community to gather together in so many different capacities.” Daughter Maddox added, “I like that it is so big and nice. It’s fun seeing all my friends here, and we have so much space to play and read.” Children’s librarian Beth Jordan added, “Our new youth area is absolutely beautiful. It has been so exciting to see the children’s and parents’ reactions when they walk in the doors for the first time. Our circulation numbers for children’s books the first week were unbelievable. We are a community of readers. I can’t wait to launch our summer reading program. It’s going to be an exciting and busy summer. Our library is so unique, and, in my opinion, we are the best and friendliest little library in Texas. I guess I can’t say “little” anymore.”

There is a huge new Crafts Room which will allow for many varied classes and presentations. For now, it is doubling as a meeting room, because the Multipurpose Room, which can seat up to 100, is being used for the adult stacks, both fiction and non-fiction.

“It is so refreshing to see a library that considers the visual and artistic interests of its community as important as the literary-based interests,” said crafter Nancy Costea. “This library offers so many amazing programs, but for me, the Craft Lab is the one that makes the Wimberley Library stand out as a uniquely divergent and forward- thinking institution.”

When the multipurpose room returns to its intended use, an 85inch and two 55-inch televisions in the front and rear respectively, as well as a professional audio system capable of handling meetings, small concerts, movie nights, and a multitude of other events will be utilized.

For now, the library is operating on a limited basis. Currently one meeting room, the new Crafts Lab, is available and it is being shared by a number of functions. Hours are limited and there are no CDs, DVDs, Large Print books, Spanish books, or magazines available to be checked out. The staff is crammed into one small space and, on some days, is required to work from home. But when the renovation of the old building is completed this summer, the library will resume normal operations with more space, more meeting rooms and better facilities. Half of the parking area will not be consumed by construction vehicles.

Even after the planned work is completed, there is more to be done. There is a wish list of projects awaiting funding that includes renovations to the old restrooms and kitchenette, a rainwater collection and irrigation system, an outdoor playscape for the kids, landscaping, more parking spaces, and other plans. To donate to these projects, go to the library website at www.wimberleylibrary. org or speak to any staffer or volunteer.