Dripping Springs residents may soon have increased access to library materials as the Dripping Springs Community Library plans to expand its offerings.

DSCL is fundraising for a "library on wheels" to bring materials and programming to Dripping Springs and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. The DSCL team has secured a funding source that will match every community donation until the end of the year for up to $100,000.

The big picture

“The Library on Wheels is our next big step forward,” Executive Director of DSCL Mindy Laird said in a news release. “[It’s] a creative, hands-on way to reach more people and share the joy of learning wherever people live, work and play.”

The Library on Wheels will offer the following:
  • STEM labs
  • Story times
  • Cultural programs
  • Books
  • Technology
While anyone who lives, works or attends school in Hays County is eligible to receive a free library card, immediate plans for programming for the Library on Wheels include the area in and around the Dripping Springs ETJ, Communications Manager Christina Thompson said.


The ETJ of Dripping Springs spans approximately 110 square miles. Due to the large area of service, some populations, such as senior citizens, have a more difficult time accessing the DSCL.

“The two barriers [to access] we’re seeing are lack of transportation ... and the geographic distance,” Thompson said.

The Library on Wheels is a part of ongoing efforts to expand library services, including plans for a new library.

The background


As the Dripping Springs population has grown, DSCL has also outgrown its current facility. The library was founded in 1985 within Dripping Springs High School and relocated to its current facility in 1998, when it served approximately 12,000 residents, according to previous reporting by Community Impact. Now, the library serves over 54,000 residents.

The DSCL has been raising funds for a new, larger library for the past few years. DSCL is a district library, so it is not funded by property taxes. Instead, the library receives 0.25% of sales tax revenue within district borders.

“As our community continues to grow, we remain fully committed to delivering a new, thoughtfully designed 39,000-sqft library that will serve as a hub for connection, learning, and growth for generations to come,” Thompson said in an email to Community Impact. “We are currently focused on the complex and essential tasks of securing financing and finalizing construction plans.”

How to help


Those interested in helping DSCL get the Library on Wheels up and running can make a donation at www.dscl.org/LibraryOnWheels.

Library officials plan for the mobile library to be operational in April.