May 2025 Newsletter
Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center
Letter from the Library Director Susan Gregurek
Happy May! We hope you enjoyed a lovely Easter break. Spring has truly blossomed at the library this April! We are thrilled to welcome all our new community members—since January 1st, 144 new families have joined us. We are grateful for everyone’s support as we continue to shape our library's future.
This month has been brimming with Senior Social events, technology classes, Easter egg hunts, Seniors That Sew, Crochet for Charity, STEM Circuits, Dungeons and Dragons, Smash Bros Tournaments, Gardening Classes, and English and Spanish Classes (new classes start on May 6). We’ve also seen many friendly faces at the library. Although our library may not be as large as it once was, the number and participation in our activities keep growing.
Currently, many uncertainties surround libraries across the United States. A significant portion of our past funding has come from the IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services). Please reach out to your Congress members to advocate for libraries, as we are an essential resource in our community.
I am delighted to announce that Gina Paja will be joining our team as a 2nd Mental Wellness Peer Support Specialist! Gina will oversee our Adult Programming. Please come by and give her a warm welcome back to the library! For those unfamiliar, Gina played a crucial role in establishing our library before taking a brief hiatus to Taylor Library, and we are excited to have her back.
In April, we took the time to recognize our volunteers and Board of Directors. We truly appreciate their commitment to "Helping Our Library Garden Grow."
Jennifer Leavitt and Donna Oestrick, our Friends of the Library Board leaders, urgently need more volunteers as we embark on fundraising for a new temporary and permanent facility. We invite you to join our dedicated team in paving a financial path for the future of the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center.
Once again, we will host the Mother’s Day Royal Tea Party! This year, it’s being organized by Love At First Bite and the Friends of the Jarrell Library. Special guests will lead our activities, including Belle, Prince, Elsa, and Eric. Enjoy crown decorating, a Royal Procession, a Tea Party Etiquette demonstration by Icye Walker, and delightful food provided by Denay Tellez of Love At First Bite. So, don your royal attire and gather your family and friends for this festive occasion! This event is a vital fundraiser for Summer Reading, so be sure to sign up soon, as seats are limited!
Wishing you a wonderful conclusion to the school year! Congratulations to all graduates!
The Summer Reading Program will kick off on June 10th. This summer, we’ll have a modified program due to space and staffing constraints, with all activities taking place at the library. We are excited to “Color Our World” through art, music, writing, and fine arts this summer.
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/
It Takes a Village to Support a Nonprofit Library.
Many community members have expressed interest in how they can assist the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center as we prepare for our transition at the end of 2025. We are actively working to ensure a smooth future. To facilitate this, we have established a donation site aimed at raising funds for rent over the next seven months and covering moving expenses. Zeffy is a secure and free platform that processes donations through Stripe. You can choose to make a one-time contribution or set up a monthly donation to support our special library's efforts.
For those who are new to our community, the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center is a nonprofit organization funded through donations, sponsorships, grants, and fundraising events. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps maintain our library's operations and its service to the community.
Please share the donation link with employers, potential donors, family, and friends. Together, let's work towards building a brighter future for the Jarrell community in Texas.
Summer Freedom vs. Structure: Finding the Right Balance for Mental Health
Summer is a time to relax, recharge, and step away from rigid routines. The freedom can reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost creativity. But too much unstructured time can lead to boredom, restlessness, or anxiety. That’s why a healthy summer often includes a mix of freedom and light structure. Simple routines—like regular sleep, movement, or small goals—can provide stability without taking away the fun. Add in self-care, social connection, and mindful screen time, and you’ve got a season that supports both your well-being and your need to unwind. Balance is the key to making the most of summer.
Storytime Update
Our final Storytime of the school year will take place during the week of May 5–11. We’ve had a wonderful time sharing stories and songs with you this year!
But don’t worry — Storytime will return for Summer Reading!
Join us for special summer sessions:
📚 June 9–23
📚 July 7–27
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!
April Homeschool Meetup: Light Circuits & Glowing Fun!
This month, our homeschoolers explored the science of light circuits with hands-on STEM activities! We lit up the day with potato lights, got creative with Snap Circuits, and experimented with how light works in fun and interactive ways.
Thanks to all the families who joined us for a bright and inspiring session. See you next month for more learning adventures!
Community Outreach
Sometimes being able to make connections helps someone from feeling loneliness and isolation. A simple conversation and listening to someone may help us better understand a person's needs.
Use the following helpful resources without waiting for a crisis:
211, 911 and 988 Hotline
Just in case you didn’t know, the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center, in addition to providing Interlibrary Loans, also works with other libraries around the state in circulating 50 - 60 large print books every quarter in order to provide a new selection for each library. Come by the library each quarter to find new selections. In addition, the Library Staff has compiled a number of Mental Health and Wellness kits that can be checked out.
The Library Staff would like to recognize the following patrons in having the highest book reader counts in the month of April: Edith Beaty, Van Tunner, Karen Tobias, and Maria Isabel Gutierrez Vazquez.
We would like to wish the following volunteers a Happy Birthday: Spenser Cook (May 2), Carol Scheer (May 6), Karen De Simone (May 24), Melinda Garcia (May 27). May your day be blessed with all the good things in life.... Family, Friends, Love and Laughter.
