Bee Cave: inclusive events bloom this fall

The Beehive Post

Another summer has come and gone, and your friendly neighborhood public librarians are taking a well-deserved breath as their essential summer reading programs come to a close.

Here in the beloved Bee Cave community, we're packing up after a buzzing few months. Young readers, we salute you! Their eager faces smiled down from our wall all summer long, and now it's time to claim those hard-earned prizes. Our shelves are replenishing after being devoured by hungry minds.

Yes, summer is always busy, and this year was no different, with a staggering 15,000 visitors gracing our doors in June and July alone. They came, they read, they conquered—and they experienced the magic of our diverse programs.

This summer, we smashed the patriarchy with bubble parties on the lawn, defying gender norms and encouraging free expression. We crafted our way to eco-consciousness at our camp-themed afternoon, upcycling and Goodwill hunting. We faced our fears and challenged outdated stereotypes with a badass reptile show, and then we shattered expectations with a magic show that reminded us all that anything is possible. 

Our age-inclusive programs ensured that no one was left behind. We stimulated sensory development with storytime for the under-5s, encouraged dexterity and focus with a juggling workshop for tweens, and sparked curiosity with a robotics Lego program for the elementary-age crew. Our teens channeled their angst into creativity with a pennant-making session, and their voices were heard. 

But it was our Camp Half-Blood that truly cast aspell, bringing Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson to life. Our young demigods embraced their inner heroes, took on challenges, and listened to the wise Oracle, who sent them on a journey of self-discovery—a scavenger hunt through our labyrinthine library. 

As always, our programs aimed to empower, educate, and entertain while school was out, ensuring that our community stayed woke, stayed connected, and had a safe space to be themselves.

Now, as the leaves turn, we're buzzing with new ideas for fall. We're expanding our programming to meet the demands of our ever-growing hive, mindful of our space and the need to accommodate all. Monthly meetups like BeeTweens and Lego Club will create consistent community for our school-age bees, while Bee Creative, our adult and older teen crafting program, will buzz quarterly, encouraging sustainable creativity. 

Our Storytime, a bedrock of the Bee Cave Library, will continue year-round, with a brief hiatus during early voting and elections—because we recognize the importance of using our voices and making way for democracy. Speaking of which, mark your calendars for a very special event: Songs in the Stacks on Saturday, Aug. 17. Let the smooth sounds of classical guitarist Arnold Yzaguirre serenade you as you browse our shelves or just sit and vibe. 

The library isn't just about books—it's a sanctuary. Caregivers, we see you, and we're here to offer support and a moment's peace with Storytime and a chance to connect over coffees and playdates after. Tutors and students, we provide a quiet haven for your endeavors. Retirees, come escape the hustle and bustle with a good old-fashioned newspaper or dive into our digital offerings. 

During a recent internet outage, we were a lifeline, offering connectivity when all else failed. Bee Cave library is more than just books; we provide reference services, readers' advisory, and access to a wealth of databases for business research, ancestry, genealogy, and language learning. Our newest resource, ParentTV, is a streaming service with bitesize videos from global experts, thanks to our status as a nationally accredited Family Place Library. 

Bee Cave library is your hive, a place of knowledge, community, and endless possibilities. 

For more information, check out our website beecavelibrary.com or give us a buzz at 512.767.6620. 

Stay woke, Bee Cave. 

Barbara Hathaway, Director of the Bee Cave Public Library, queen bee