Dripping Springs Community Library reopened June 3 after the building was damaged by a storm May 31. Staff hosted an event to kick off the summer season that included snow cones, face painting, inflatables and a petting zoo. (Courtesy Ashley Scott)
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Storm damage was not enough to stop Dripping Springs Community Library staff from celebrating the start of the busiest season for the library.
Two-minute impact
The DSCL reopened June 3 following a closure May 31 when the building was damaged by a lightning strike. The lightning hit the ceiling above the main desk at about 6:30 a.m. and no one was injured, DSCL communications manager Christina Thompson said.
As of June 3, air conditioning is restored and the community can check out books, but staff are still working on recovering internet services and will post updates on social media.
Dripping Springs Community Library staff will update the community on social media when internet services are available again. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)
Despite the damage, library staff hosted the annual Summer Kick Off event in the parking lot, with snow cones, face painting, inflatables and a petting zoo. Children even participated in a “snowball” fight with ice from the snow cones. Thompson said this year’s event was likely the biggest turnout they’ve ever had.
An inflatable was set up in the parking lot of the Dripping Springs Community Library June 3. (Courtesy Ashley Scott)
“Today demonstrates how many utilize this space, especially in the summer,” Thompson said.
Summer also marks the start of a change in the library’s policy on overdue items. Starting June 1, there will no longer be overdue fees for books, DVDs or CDs. Instead, a person won’t be able to check out more books until they return their overdue items. Lost and damaged books will still incur a fee.
“We’re removing barriers to access information,” DSCL Campaign Manager Sarah Rose said.
To address this, library officials have asked the community for help in raising $5 million by the end of 2024 to build a brand new library, four times the size of the current building. Since the library is not city-owned, officials can’t rely on property tax to help fund a new facility.
For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.dscl.org.
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