Library Notes Summer 2026
After a busy summer of reading, family programs, patriotic celebrations, free youth lunch meals, art shows and local history, the Dr. Eugene Clark Library is transitioning into a fall schedule. The library will be welcoming back story hour and back to school activities, preparing for a major upgrade and continuing to offer programs and resources for Lockhart residents of all ages.
The library’s 2026 “ Unearth the Story” Summer Reading Challenge Program sponsored by library, the city of Lockhart and the Friends of the Library ended July 22 with an awards ceremony and a pool and pizza party at the city park. This year 292 readers participated in the Summer Reading activities, and the Beanstalk program was again used to keep track of books and minutes, log activities and write reviews. Early readers (0-4) read a total of 1940 books while children, preteens, teens and adults logged in a total of 2,626 hours of reading.
Library Director Bertha Martinez and children’s coordinator Christine Moreno had an abundance of fun activities planned for the participants. Library events included the Jurassic S.A. Dinosaur Experience, the Austin Reptile Show, a visit to the stars with the mobile Austin Planetarium, and a movie in the Clark building.
The top three readers in each category were awarded certificates and prizes. First place winners in each category were as follows: Early Literacy – Sharon Rogan, Children’s (5-12) – Ethan Perez, Teens (ages 13-17) -Clara Peterson, and Adults – Deborah Uitermarkt. The annual raffle drawing took place online before the pool party. Prizes donated by local businesses such as lego set, a duple set, a Little Tykes car, an android table and a TV, bicycles and were won by lucky summer reading participants.
For Lockhart’s American 250 Independence Day, the library teamed with the city for a morning of free patriotic and family friendly events. Families gathered at the library to decorate bicycles and strollers for the Red, White, and Blue Parade around the square. Caricatures, face painting, the LED robots, and a live DJ were among the family fun events. The morning culminated with the library’s 126th birthday celebration. Participants sang “Happy Birthday” to the library and were then treated to cake, ice cream and hot dogs served by members of the Friends of the Library and the Irving Club.
The Volunteens program offered teens a chance to help with summer reading activities while learning about community service. Throughout the summer the library provided a Wednesday Teen Hangout featuring trivia games, DYI ramen and other activities.
Caldwell County Creatives held another very successful art show in the library’s historic Clark Building on August 7 with all proceeds from sales benefitting the Friends of the Library. This was the group’s fourth annual art challenge, and local artists were encouraged to create a piece of art based on one of the following challenges: Intersection,Texture, Tell Me a Story and A Piece You Are Proud Of. Photography, paintings, ceramics and sculpture were on display for the art show. Local residents Sandy and Cheryl Dozier have been instrumental in organizing the event.
In September a much needed upgrade is coming to library. Last April the city council approved $126,423 to replace the library’s aging elevator. The library will be closed during the initial phase September 14-16th and then will operate with limited services until the installation is complete. A more detailed operating schedule will be posted after Labor Day.
The library will serve as one the featured performance venues for the Texas Women Songwriters festival on September 18-20. Over 50 Texas Women Songwriters will be performing in the downtown area.
The weekly preschool story hour led by children’s coordinator Christine Moreno resumes on Wednesday, September 23 at 10 am. Homework Help and other after school programs will start up again in September.
The Parents as Teachers program will be presenting Bilingual story hours on Fridays from.10-11. This free Community Action offers support to families with children aged birth to five years.
More Books for Babies bags are now available. Each bag contains baby’s first board book, reading tips, and a card encouraging parents to sign up for baby’s first library card. This service is provided by the Friends of the Library.
The Adult Book Club meets on the first Thursday of each month from 6-7pm and is led by children’s coordinator Christine Morena. Participants need to bring their favorite book or current read to share and discuss. A fun craft is included.
Senior Bingo is offered on the first Thursday of the month at 1:30 pm for patrons aged 55 and older. Prizes are provided by the Friends of the Library.
Adult fiction and nonfiction books are located on the second floor. New titles include Transcendent, a memoir- Laverne Cox, The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life after A!-Cory Doctorow, Let’s Get Cooking -Remi Cruz Parsons, The Housemaid-Freida McFadden, Country People- Daniel Mason, Land- Maggie O’Farrell and Choke Point- Brad Thor. Many of these books can also be found in e-book or audio form through the Libby online program.
Computer classes led by Mark Diaz are available Monday – Friday from 11am – noon, and 2-3pm in the library’s second floor technology center which provides 14 desktop computers for patrons. A list of classes can be found in the monthly News & Events found at the circulation desk.
The historic Clark Building offers a quiet place to study, do research, or read a magazine. Four computers are also available for use. A wide selection of DVD’s, music CD’s and audio books available for checkout are shelved here.
The Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library is a non-profit community organization whose purpose is to promote and assist the library. New members are always welcome. The current officers are as follows: Meghan Beisel, chair; Stephanie Riggin,first vice chair; Mary Eisenberg, second vice chai;, Kim Clifton, secretary; Sylvia Salazar,Publicity; Courtney Bosch, membership; and Gwen Guin, recording secretary. The next meeting is September 8 at 6pm at the library.
Information about local events and organizations, along with mail-in Voter-Registration cards and important election dates can be found on the information table across from the circulation desk. The monthly News and Events newsletter provides a calendar of events and details about the many online platforms and databases such as Kanopy, Mango Languages, Flipster, Ancestry Library, TexShare and more that the library offers to patrons.
Please call the library at 512-398-3223, visit library’s website-http://www.clark-library-lockhart.org, or visit the Dr. Eugene Clark Library at 217 S. Main Street for more information.
Mary Eisenberg