Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Spring!

The Library has been alive with action in the month of February! Our adult literacy classes are full, Storytime, Homeschool, and ASD groups are thriving, our Sewing and Crochet groups are creating donations for several hospitals, care centers, a women's home, and our seniors are enjoying games each week.

The library board is excited to welcome Sterling Leavitt as the new Vice President and Andrew Quintana as a new Member At Large. The board is honored to have such qualified talent to help form our library of the future. We could not move forward without our Friends of the Library Group. Fundraising will be important during this year of transition. The library is thankful to Jennifer Leavitt- President, Kristy Naravette, and Donna Oestrick for leading the group. The Friends Group is seeking new members with creative ideas in fundraising to help raise funds for our new library space by Dec. 31, 2025.

The library will begin offering Technology Classes in March. We are waiting for the final schedule with our CTN Lift digital navigators. In March, the classes will focus of Cybersecurity/Online Safety. April's focus will be iPhone and Android devices and May's classes will include Video Conferenceing and Google/Email and Internet Basics. We will be posting the official days and times on social media and the library website. We are THANKFUL to Methodist Health Ministries for providing CTN Lift digital navigators and 25 devices that will be cataloged and available for checkout. The devices will have data and/or a hotspot for home use and to ATT for providing funding for staff training on the devices and programs, incentives for attendance, refreshments and trainers to offer classes throughout the year.

Public Reminder Statement: The library is considered a safe place of all. There are many very young babies and many immunocompromised citizens who visit the library. We respectfully ask for caution when exposed to illness. Thank you in advance for your consideration of our patrons.

As you can see, we are THRIVING in 2025!

Susan Gregurek

Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center (JCLRC) is searching for a new location!

As was previously announced, we have agreed to vacate the current premise as soon as possible, but in no event later than December 31, 2025.

JCLRC is in the process of applying for a BLOC Grant through Williamson County to build a new facility and we’re optimistic that it will be awarded to us.

While this grant is absolutely necessary for moving forward, it will be useless unless we get a parcel of LAND on which to build. We will need approximately 1 ½ - 2 acres to accommodate both a building and adequate parking.

In the very best of circumstances, we will not be able to accomplish this by our move-out date, so we are searching desperately for an interim library site – either donated space or minimal rent please!

Once again, we are reaching out to you, our valued supporters, to help us locate and obtain property for the new library. If you are aware of an empty building for an interim library site, or obtainable property for our anticipated building, please, please bring it to our attention.

We are confident that with the help of our library fans and supporters, we will be able to accomplish all our goals. JCLRC has become a vital part of the Jarrell community, so please help us to move forward to continue providing our library resources and programs for our community.

The library is continuing to grow and expand. We invite you to consider applying to become a new Library Board of Directors member. You may click on the link for the application. Applications may be turned in at the library.

Board Meetings are on the Third Thursday of the Month at 5:30 pm.

The State Free Ebook services have migrated to Boundless by Baker Taylor. You can get the app through Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Look for the Boundless App. Ebooks are FREE to check out online. To sign in use your library card number as your login and your phone number as the password. It's easy! For more information: https://www.boundless-app.com/

March 3: All Day: Mexicano Monday

1:00: Weekly Tuesdays Senior Games Group

10:00: Weekly Wednesdays Sewing for Charity

5:30: Weekly Wednesdays Crochet Group

5:30: Wednesdays Autism Support Playgroup

2:00: 2nd Weds.of the Month: Homeschool Meetup K-3rd Grades

3:30: 2nd Weds. of the Month: Homeschool Meetup 4th-12 Grades

10:30: 2nd Saturday of the Month: Green Thumb Gardeners

5:00: 3rd Monday of the Month: Wellness Through Music

4:30: 3rd Weds of the Month: Calming Crafts

* Tech classes will begin in March. Updates will be sent out soon

March 7: 5pm Dungeons and Dragons

March 8-22 Spring Break Activities: STEM Activities and Scavenger Hunt Set up in the library.

March 22: Overdose Awareness Training for the community

Visit the website for updated calendar events: https://jarrellcommunitylibrary.org/

Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center would like to give special thanks to Mexicano Grille owner, Jose Leon, for his continued support of Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center each month. The generous donation from Mexicano Monday supports our operations and programs each month. We also appreciate the community members who visit Mexicano Grille on Mexicano Monday. Your support helps the library provide many services to the community.

The Smash Bros contest was a smashing success! We look forward to hosting another tournament soon. Thank you Spencer Cook for leading this fundraiser for the library, and to Ailina and Jon Aponte for hosting the event!

Spring is a time of renewal, but it can also bring stress from busy schedules, work demands, and social commitments. Mindfulness, the practice of staying present and non-judgmental, offers a powerful tool to manage this stress and improve well-being during the spring months.

1. Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Spring's busy pace can trigger anxiety, but mindfulness helps us stay grounded in the present, reducing stress and calming the nervous system through practices like deep breathing and mindful walking.

2. Enhancing Emotional Well-being

Mindfulness helps recognize and manage emotions more effectively, leading to greater emotional resilience. It promotes a positive mindset, supporting personal growth and change during spring.

3. Improving Focus and Productivity

Mindfulness boosts focus and productivity by training the mind to stay on task and avoid distractions, helping us tackle spring tasks with clarity and efficiency.

4. Building Connection with Nature

Spring invites us to reconnect with nature, and mindfulness enhances this by encouraging us to engage with the world around us in a deeper way, fostering peace and mental clarity.

5. Fostering Gratitude and Reflection

Mindfulness encourages us to reflect on and appreciate the positive moments in life, enhancing feelings of contentment and fostering a sense of gratitude during the season of renewal.

Simple Mindfulness Practices for Spring

1. Mindful Breathing: Focus on deep, slow breaths to reduce stress.
2. Mindful Walking: Take a walk and pay attention to your surroundings.
3. Gratitude Journaling: Write down things you’re grateful for each day.
4. Mindful Eating: Eat slowly and savor the experience.
5. Body Scan Meditation: Relax by mentally scanning your body for tension.

Spring is a perfect time to embrace mindfulness to manage stress, improve emotional health, and connect with nature. With simple mindfulness practices, you can navigate the season with a sense of peace, focus, and gratitude.

Library storytimes have evolved into interactive experiences that captivate children’s imaginations. By using puppets, crafts, movement, sensory exploration, and technology, libraries create immersive environments that make stories come to life.

1. Puppets and Visual Aids: Puppets bring characters to life, improving engagement and attention.
2. Crafts and Hands-On Activities: Creative activities like making masks help reinforce story themes and develop motor skills.
3. Movement and Music: Dance and role-playing enhance physical engagement and listening skills.
4. Sensory Exploration: Textures, scents, and sounds make the story more tangible and help focus attention.
5. Interactive Technology: Digital tools like e-books and apps add dynamic elements to the storytelling experience.

These interactive methods not only make storytime fun but also support literacy, social skills, and creativity.

Our last meetup was a blast! The kids had a fantastic time building Jellybean Structures, putting their STEM skills to the test with jellybeans and toothpicks. From tall towers to creative designs, it was a great opportunity to spark teamwork and problem-solving!

A big thank you to everyone who attended and for your understanding as we adjusted our meetup times. Your flexibility is truly appreciated!

In February, we launched our new ASD Play and Support Group, designed to offer support and resources for families navigating autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The group meets every Wednesday from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, providing a space for parents, peers, and children to connect and engage in enriching activities.

Support for Parents and Caregivers

Parents and caregivers will find a supportive environment to share experiences and gain valuable resources on ASD. Discussions will cover topics like new diagnoses, helpful strategies, and local services, empowering families with knowledge and community support.

Sensory Activities for Kids

While parents engage in discussions, children will enjoy sensory-friendly activities designed to encourage sensory exploration and social skills. These activities provide opportunities for fun, creativity, and peer interaction in a comfortable setting.

Join Us Every Wednesday

The ASD Play and Support Group meets every Wednesday from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. We invite all families to join us for support, resources, and a fun, inclusive experience for everyone! The library appreciate the funds granted by A.L.A. to provide resources for these activities.

At our recent event, participants discovered the calming benefits of calligraphy. Through simple techniques, they experienced how this creative practice promotes mindfulness, reduces anxiety, and boosts mental well-being.

The rhythmic motion of writing helped attendees relax, focus, and connect with their creativity. It was a powerful reminder that even small, creative activities can offer big mental health benefits. We encourage you to try calligraphy as a tool for relaxation and inner peace.

This month, we had the joy of partnering with JISD Pawprints Preschool for a fun-filled Community Outreach Storytime. We read beloved books, sang interactive songs, and shared lots of laughs with the kids. It was amazing to see their faces light up as they engaged with the stories and songs!

We’re so grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to inspire a love of reading in these young minds. Thank you to JISD Pawprints Preschool for making this possible!

Stay tuned for more upcoming partnerships!

With Onyx Storm coming soon to our library, I thought it would be a great time to review the first book in the series, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. This high fantasy novel follows Violet Sorrengail at Basgiath War College, where cadets must bond with a dragon or die trying. Violet, the daughter of a powerful general, faces constant danger, builds relationships, and develops into one of the strongest riders. The book is fast-paced, fun, and doesn’t take itself too seriously—perfect for a nostalgic, adventurous escape.

While the writing isn’t groundbreaking, and it leans on familiar tropes, the plot is addictive and filled with dragons, romance, and danger. With Onyx Storm on the way, now’s the perfect time to dive into this series!

Ailina Aponte

The library has many opportunities for patrons to check out technology. This month's highlight is on our ring light and tripod available for checkout.