July 2025 Newsletter

Happy 4th of July!

Exciting Summer at the Library!

This summer, the library has been vibrant and flourishing! We would like to extend a HUGE shout-out to our Teen Techs and Teen Volunteers! Their contributions have truly made a significant impact this summer.

Big News: Land Donation and Future Plans

The JCLRC Board and Staff are thrilled to announce that we have received a generous donation of two acres of land in front of the Eastern Wells Subdivision, located about a mile north of our current site off I-35 North. Another kind donor will be covering all utilities for our new location. Currently, we are focused on raising funds for a temporary building to ensure our services continue seamlessly by January 1, 2026. After the move, our next ambition will be to construct a brand new 5,000 sq ft building on the property.

It truly takes a community to build a new library! Due to recent changes at the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences, grant funding for libraries has been put on hold. We welcome all donations and sponsorships. Please refer to the link below to contribute.

As you can see, the library is thriving within our community. While we may be a small nonprofit library, we are truly **THRIVING IN 2025!**

IT TAKES A VILLAGE – to support and maintain a nonprofit library!

The Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that relies solely on **YOUR** generous donations, sponsorships, grants, and fundraising events. Remember, no contribution is too small; every bit makes a difference.

By the end of this year, we will move to a temporary building at a new location while planning for a permanent library structure. Given the challenges we face, your donations are more crucial than ever.

We have established a donation site with Zeffy, a secure and free platform that processes donations through Stripe. You can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring contribution to support your local library.

Please share this link with employers, potential donors, family members, and friends, and encourage them to support the library. Together, let’s work towards a bright future for the JCLRC and our entire community.

June 30-July 7: Summer Reading Program Break

July 7: Mexicano Monday

Aug. 9: American Legion Indoor Market fundraiser

Senior Games Group: Tuesdays 1:00 pm

Seniors That Sew: Wednesdays 10:00 am

Tech Support Office Hours: Tuesdays 12:00-2:00 pm, Wednesdays 4:00-6:00

Girls That Code: Wednesdays 1:30 pm

Crochet for Charity: Wednesdays 5:30 pm

Autism Support Playgroup: Wednesdays 5:30 pm

Dungeons and Dragons: Fridays 5:00 pm

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

Veterans Support Group: 3rd Monday of the Month 6:00 pm

Teen Support Club: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 6:00 pm

Calming Crafts: 3rd Weds of the Month 4:30 pm (JUNK JOURNALING)

Grief Support for Adults: 1st, 3rd & 5th Thursdays of the Month 6:30 pm

ASL - American Sign Language Community Coffee Social: 3rd Friday of the Month 6:00 pm

Serenity Seekers & Hope thru Healing - 2nd Thursday of the Month 6:00 pm

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

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

Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center has joined forces with Girls that Code organization to start a club at the library. Girls that Code is led by John and Dana Simpson, former STEM teachers. The group welcomes all school aged children ages 9-18. The group will meet weekly Wednesdays at 1:30 pm. This club is free, but space is limited to 10 children per session.

Our Summer Reading Program is in full swing and continues through July 31st! We've been thrilled to see so many of you diving into books, logging your reading minutes, and participating in our exciting events. Your enthusiasm is what makes this program so special each year.

Please note: There will be a short break in our summer reading activities during the week of July 4th. While we won't have events that week, you can still log your reading minutes anytime on the Beanstack app—so keep reading!

Whether you're reading under the sun, curled up indoors, or listening to audiobooks on the go, every minute counts. We can't wait to see how much you'll accomplish by the end of July.

Happy reading, and enjoy the rest of your summer story adventures!

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/

As a peer support professional, I’ve seen how summer—while often portrayed as carefree—can actually be tough for many. The heat, disrupted routines, and social pressure to “make the most of it” can be overwhelming. Personally and professionally, I’ve found that small changes can go a long way.

First, staying cool really matters. Heat can increase irritability, anxiety, and fatigue. Hydrate, take breaks in the shade or indoors, and avoid pushing yourself during the hottest parts of the day. Nature can help too—early morning walks, quiet time near trees or water, or even tending to plants at home can be grounding.

Most of all, give yourself permission to slow down. You don’t need to be busy all summer. Say no when you need to, check in with your energy, and rest when your body asks for it. You're not alone in this—support is always here.

Join Crystal Collins for an engaging session of Teen Time! The Teen Support Group welcomes all teenagers to come together, socialize, and share their experiences.

ASD will be on hiatus in July. Katie will return in August.

While we're big fans of finding the good, the news can also feel incredibly heavy at times. While it's important to stay up to date on what's happening in the world - because the priviledge of experiencing bad news through the news comes with the responsibility to use that priviledge for good - it's also possible to consume the news responsibly.

And it's important that we do, because if you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious, you're not at your best to show up for causes you care about - or for yourself.

Be thoughtful in choosing how, when and who you get your news from: take a break for a bit, read instead of watching the news, and set boundaries for news consumption.

The Friends of the Jarrell Library Group is the fundraising branch of the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center's library system. This group's mission is to engage with the community to gather sponsorships, generate fundraising ideas, and spearhead initiatives to secure the funds necessary for the library's continued operation. If you would like to request a volunteer form, please contact jarrellfriends@gmail.com.

We're calling on passionate and dedicated individuals like YOU to help us create unforgettable events and raise essential funds. Whether you can lend a hand with event logistics, help spread the word through marketing, or bring fresh and exciting ideas for new events, we need your talents!

Every bit of help counts, and your support will directly impact our success. If you're ready to make a real difference, we’d love for you to be part of our amazing team.

Sign up today and help us create something special! 💫