Marble Falls Public Library

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Head Librarian Amanda Rose and her staff streamlined a strict protocol policy to re-open the venue May 4, while keeping the needs of their patrons in mind.

“We were excited about that. Basically, we're in phase 1,” she said of the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main St. “You'll see the (floor 'social distancing' markers), the limited capacity.

“So far the community has been so great,” she added. “They're just happy to be able to come in.
“They're very respectful, and we're happy to see their faces.” …

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Marble Falls Public Library officials decided March 11 to cancel group conference room programs and close the facility's community room for at least the rest of the month of March due to concerns about the coronavirus.

“We're busy in the month of March because Texas has spring break over three weeks. That gives us lots of foot traffic,” Head Librarian Amanda Rose told The Highlander, following the release of a public statement. “We have closed the meeting room and library programs and events. …

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The 20th Anniversary Celebration of Marble Falls Library at 101 Main Street concludes with a communtiy-wide event--The Big Day--Friday, Oct. 6.

The Big Day, including a performance by the Hill Country Community Band, under the direction of Bo Boshears, will begin a 2 p.m. Friday.

Charles Hundley, former superintendent of the Marble Falls Independent School District, is the featured speaker, but he will not be alone in 20th-year recognition. Area judges and elected officials are expected, as well as, Jerome Rugen of Delineations Inc. to comment on new library renovations.

The entire week is sponsored by Friends of the Marble Falls Library, the nonprofit organization that sponsored the fund drives and man the thrift store that built the old 4th Street Library and the new, and now improved, 101 Main Street facility.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

At 6:30 a.m., when some are just sitting down to breakfast, the Marble Falls Library Thrift Store is buzzing with activity.

Volunteers from Friends of the Marble Falls Library are sorting donations, repairing items and stocking the store at 300 Avenue J. When the doors open at 9:30 a.m., shoppers know they will always find something new-to-them, from clothing and jewelry to furniture and home accessories. The children's area includes an amazing offering of dolls and toys and, of course because readers take a special interesting in supporting the store, there are books, videos and audio selections.

Sales are so brisk the Friends are able to direct about $10,000 a month to the Marble Falls Public Library, now celebrating a Platinum Anniversary at the 101 Main Street facility that Friends helped to build 20 years ago.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The very first day of events for the 20th Anniversary of the Marble Falls Library on Main Street, Monday, Oct. 2, will be Children's Day, but then, every day is children's day in a library.

In fact, when former librarians are honored on with an invitation-only luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 3, school librarians are included in the kudos and at least one among them learned to love books under their care.

“I didn't know I would grow up to be a librarian, I just loved to go to the library,” said Amanda Rose, current director of the Marble Falls Library. My best friend and I would get dropped off there and we loved spending hours reading.”

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Marble Falls Library at 101 Main Street, organizers will be looking even farther back in history almost 70 years.

During a whole week of events, Oct. 1-7, visitors will pass a picture of Mrs. H.R. (Lois) Anderson (June 14, 1884-April, 29,1956).

The year 1948 was is the date historical accounts credit as the beginning of one woman with pushing forward a dream of a library in Marble Falls.

Anderson had already been rallying support with the local Parent Teacher Association when plans were announced that year by the Burnet County Library Board of Directors to incorporate branches in Marble Falls, Bertram and Briggs. The news that PTA, Federated Clubs and Home Demonstration Clubs would get behind the idea of donating books, set Anderson on a search for a location.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Gov. Gregg Abbott, in addition to his proclamation of Oct. 1-7 as Power Up Your Library Week in Texas, officially recognized the 20th Anniversary of the Marble Falls Public Library in its home at 101 Main Street.

The library will be closed Sept. 21-29 for new renovations and it will reopen to the flurry of preparations for a week of 20th anniversary events.

“We are super excited,” said library director Amanda Rose. “Every day from Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 6, something special will be going on inside the library.

That first day will be Children's Day.

“Lollypop the Clown will put on magic shows and lead two parades through the library, one for pre-schoolers, and one after school for older kids,”said Rose.

The first special program Marble Falls Public Library Summer Reading Club will be Thursday, June 8, when Lucas Miller, the singing zoologist makes a visit to the library at 101 Main Street.

A favorite at schools and libraries, Miller has performed in many venues, including the Austin City Limits Music Festival and two seasons of the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpiece Artist Tour. He earned a BA Degree in zoology at Miami University before beginning his career as an author and recording musician.

Miller will be singing his silly songs with serious science woven into laughter and learning at 3 p.m.

Registration for the club began Wednesday, May 31, at the library.

Freelance writer and author Jessica Dupuy will share her latest book, “United Tastes of Texas,” at the Lunch at the Library program Friday, March 10 at 11:30 a.m. at the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main Street.

The new book explores the Texas cuisine through its history and unique regions.

Dupuy has written for publications including “National Geographic Traveler,” “Texas Monthly,” and “Texas Highways.” She has also written three other cook books, “Uchi: The Cookbook,” “The Saltlick Cookbook: A Story of Land, Family, and Love,” and the “Jack Allen’s Cookbook.”

She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and her favorite writing topics include food, wine, and travel. Learn more about Jessica and her books at www.jessicadupuy.com.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

An Apple Tree ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 21, honored volunteers with Friends of the Marble Falls Library who logged more than 290 years of service to reading resource at 101 Main Street.

Of 17 volunteers honored, none had devoted fewer than 15 years to the programs of the library and efforts of the Friends, including the Library Thrift Store at 300 Avenue J. Each added an apple and a leaf to the towering tree near the entrance to the library and Mardi Cockerham, president of the Friends, explained its significance.