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PAST NEWS ARCHIVE
June 18, 2002
Contact: Patricia Fraga, Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442

Austin Public Library and H-E-B Join Forces to Promote Reading During the Summer Months

Library Staff Takes Storytimes to H-E-B

In an effort to reach families in the communities served by the Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Road, and the University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Lane, library staff are taking storytimes to two H-E-B stores in these communities. The stores are located at 2701 East 7th Street and at 7112 Ed Bluestein Blvd. “This is a unique and creative way to introduce library programs to the community, and introduce families to bilingual storytimes and Spanish programs provided by the Library,” says Josefina Rodriguez-Gibbs, Youth Librarian.

The H-E-B storytime series began the first week in June with library staff presenting one morning program a week at each of the H-E-Bs. The program runs for four consecutive weeks in June and again in July. On the fourth week of the month, library staff invites families to the Branch for a party and special program presentation. The purpose of this outreach is to inform and educate these communities about what the Library offers. “Our objective is to let the community know we have fun educational programs for youth of all ages, and invite families to the Library who may not know about our summer services,” says Anita Rizley, Coordinator of Youth Programs.

The program has been a success since the introduction on June 5, 2002. Customers of H-E-B have thanked the Managers for bringing this program to the grocery store. In addition to attending storytimes parents are signing up their children for the Austin Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program.

The schedule for the remainder of June and for July is:

Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

June Storytime Dates:

Wednesday, June 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the HEB on 2701 East 7th Street

Wednesday, June 26 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd.

Wednesday, June 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the HEB on 7112 Ed Bluestein Blvd.

Wednesday, June 26 at 10:30 a.m. at the University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Lane

July Storytime Dates:

Wednesday, July 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the HEB on 2701 East 7th Street

Wednesday, July 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the HEB on 7112 Ed Bluestein Blvd.

Wednesday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the HEB on 2701 East 7th Street

Wednesday, July 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the HEB on 7112 Ed Bluestein Blvd.

Wednesday, July 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the HEB on 2701 East 7th Street

Wednesday, July 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the HEB on 7112 Ed Bluestein Blvd.

Wednesday, July 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd.

Wednesday, July 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Lane

Hey Buddy!

Additionally, Austin Public Library and H-E-B join together to promote reading during the summer months as part of the H-E-Buddy summer reading program. Children who read this summer can raise money for the Library by reporting the titles of the books they read as part of the H-E-Buddy reading program. Forms are available at the Library and at the H-E-B stores throughout Austin. For every book read, H-E-B will give a dollar to the Library Foundation. The funds raised will be used to purchase children’s books for the Library. Each child will receive a certificate and coupon for a special gift from H-E-B. Reading is rewarding!

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