Hey Dripping Springs!
It is a hot one out there today! We are definitely feeling that late May humidity creeping in… time to start hydrating and finding those shady spots under the oaks! I just finished up an incredible chat on the Weekly Drip with Jessica and Mindy from our very own Dripping Springs Community Library. If you missed the episode, you missed some wild stories about puppets, Dolly Parton, and some serious “deep state” vibes in Washington D.C.!
Also, a quick Weekly Drip note… Amber has decided to bid farewell to the show and will no longer be participating. We are going to miss her and I know a lot of y’all will too. But do not worry… Weekly Drip is absolutely going on, and we have something really exciting in the works for later this summer. Stay tuned!
We are talking about the journey of our brand new “Library on Wheels.” This isn’t just a van… it is a mission on four wheels! Jessica and Mindy actually drove this beauty all the way home from Ohio to Texas. Can you imagine the playlist? They told me it was pure girl power! Lots of Taylor Swift and, of course, the queen herself, Dolly Parton!
The Dolly Connection and the “Library of Feels”
Did you know the library team has nicknamed the new bookmobile “Dolly”? It makes so much sense! They actually stopped at Dollywood on the way home to connect with the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library team. That program is so special… it is all about getting books into the hands of kiddos from the very start.
But the road trip didn’t stop there! They visited some of the coolest libraries across the country. In Nashville, they got a secret “behind the scenes” tour of the Nashville Public Library’s puppet collection. We are talking thousands of puppets dating back to the 1930s! They even took a “creepy” elevator down to the basement to see them all. It sounds like the beginning of a mystery novel… “The Case of the Midnight Puppets!”
The D.C. Hiccup: Bookmobile vs. The Deep State
The funniest story from their trip had to be the Library of Congress. Apparently, the Library of Congress reached out and offered them a tour! How cool is that? But trying to navigate a brand-new, giant, wrapped bookmobile through D.C. security? Not so cool!
They were basically treated like a delivery truck headed for Capitol Hill! The security teams were asking them to open compartments they didn’t even know they had yet! Jessica and Mindy were just trying to blast Dolly Parton and share some books, but D.C. had other plans. They ended up on a bit of a wild goose chase through Delaware and Washington. Let’s just say… the Library on Wheels is now “deep state” approved!
Did You Know We Have the Biggest ETJ in Texas?
Okay, this was the “aha!” moment for me. Jessica mentioned how large of an area the library has to serve, and I had to drop a truth bomb: Dripping Springs has the largest Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) in the entire state of Texas!
Back in the 70s, when Austin started growing like crazy, Dripping Springs looked up and said: “Nope, we don’t want to be Austin!” They started what is called a “daisy chain” of land. If you look at the map of our ETJ, it looks like Swiss cheese… and it is massive!
This means our library isn’t just for the folks inside the city limits. They serve anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Hays County! That is a lot of ground to cover… which is exactly why the Library on Wheels is so important for our community.
Building the Future: Capital Campaign Update
I know everyone is dying to know: when do we get the new building? Well, things are moving! The library has officially signed with JE Dunn as their construction manager. This is a huge project… a $30 million building!
They are currently working with the city on site development and permitting. The goal is to start “vertical construction” in 2027, with site prep starting as early as this summer or fall!
They still have a way to go with the fundraising, though. The “Build Without Borders” capital campaign has a $5 million goal. So far, they have about $2.2 million committed! If you want to help our community grow and ensure our kids have a world class space to learn, check out how you can donate here.
The renderings for the new space are absolutely stunning… there is even a grand staircase with “butterflies” coming down from the ceiling! You can actually go to the library and see these scenes in virtual reality right now. It is like stepping into the future!
Summer Kickoff: Free Fun for the Kiddos!
Mark your calendars! This Monday, June 1st, from 10 AM to 12 PM, is the Summer Kickoff party in the library parking lot!
If you are a mom like me and Amber, you know the “I’m bored” struggle is real during the summer. This event is a lifesaver! We are talking:
- Free snow cones!
- Cotton candy and popcorn!
- Balloon artists!
- Inflatables and robotics!
- Free children’s entertainment!
It is all about getting the kids excited for the Summer Reading Challenge. They use an app called Beanstack to track everything. It is like Goodreads but for kids… they get prizes and badges for reading! My son Philip loved coloring his “brick” on the yellow brick road last year… he actually got to put the very last brick in place!
Neighborhood Spotlight: Headwaters
Since we are talking about our massive ETJ and the families moving into the area, I have to give a shoutout to one of our favorite neighborhoods: Headwaters.
If you are looking at homes for sale in Dripping Springs, Headwaters is usually at the top of the list! It is located right off Highway 290 and is zoned for the award-winning Dripping Springs High School.
What makes Headwaters special is the “Modern Hill Country” vibe. They have incredible resort-style amenities, including a split-level pool, a fitness center, and miles of hiking trails. Plus, they are a “Dark Sky” community, which means the stargazing is absolutely out of this world! It is the perfect spot for families who want that small-town feel but with all the modern luxuries.
If you are thinking about making a move to Headwaters or anywhere else in the DSISD, give me a shout! In 2025, I am proud to say I sold more houses than anyone else in the Dripping Springs Independent School District! I live and breathe this market, and I would love to help you find your spot in our “Swiss cheese” ETJ!
What’s Next?
There is so much happening at the library this summer… baby raves, foam parties, Lego coding, and even a butterfly workshop on June 7th to celebrate the library’s 40th anniversary!
Be sure to follow the Dripping Springs Community Library on Facebook and sign up for their newsletter. They are adding new programs all the time!
One more Weekly Drip update before we wrap this one up… Amber has decided to bid farewell and will no longer be participating in the show. We are grateful for her and all the fun she brought to it. And if you are wondering what happens next, do not stress… Weekly Drip will definitely go on. In fact, we have something exciting in the works for later this summer, so keep an eye out!
Keep sending me topics you want covered on the Weekly Drip! Text me! Seriously, text me… don’t call, I’m a millennial… but text me your ideas!
Let’s make this the best summer yet, Dripping Springs!
See y’all soon!
