Our Mission

The Johnson City Library strives to provide, on equal terms, free library services to all individuals and groups in Blanco County. To assemble, organize, preserve, and make available significant books and other material which will provide stimulation, education, and recreation for all citizens of the community; and to keep the public constantly aware of the services available. To continually evaluate and anticipate the ever-changing needs and demands of the community, to maintain a fresh and topical supply of material and technology to aid continuous education of the people; and to stimulate the flow of ideas among all groups of the community. To provide the community with the best and most service possible by constantly improving the library facilities. Through participation in the American Library Association, the Johnson City Library affirms and is committed to the Library Bill of Rights as stated by the Council of the Association.

A Brief History of the Johnson City Library

     A group of women called The Woman's Civic Club founded the Johnson City Library almost 60 years ago.  It was located in a small room of the Blanco County courthouse.  In the early 70's it moved to the old city offices (the children's and research rooms).  In 1982 the Old Crider Cafe was added and the whole building remodeled. The library has grown from the 700 original books to over 14,000 plus videos and audios.  With a grant from LCRA in 1996, computers were added and the library was given a face lift.  Since then the library has received 10 more grants to add 6 more computers ( 4 Internet), automate the circulation system, add more furniture, books, and other items.  Our next project is a new library!

We are a member of the Central Texas Library System (CTLS) .

The Johnson City Library Board (2006-2007)

The Library Facility

      * BOOKS

      * REFERENCE ROOM

      * INTER-LIBRARY LOAN

      * TALKING BOOKS

      * COMPUTER ON-LINE SERVICE

      * VIDEOS

      * CENTRAL TEXAS LIBRARY SYSTEM (CTLS) SERVICES

      * CHILDREN'S ROOM

     In our bright, newly remodeled children's room you will find:
      * Controlled vocabulary books for early readers
      * Picture books for lap-time reading
      * Children's videos
      * Computer with encyclopedia disk and games
      * Caldecott & Newberry award winning books
      * Juvenile and young adult fiction and non-fiction reading materials  

The Library Staff

Patricia Scharinger, our Librarian, is responsible for the organization of the volunteers, the purchase, cataloguing, and shelving of books, writing grant proposals, obtaining equipment, and overseeing of programs.

Chris Voron is our Program Director and oversees development and support of on-going programming for the Library.

Our Library is staffed by a great group of volunteers who dedicate themselves to our mission, including: Leslie Shira and Deena Blades are Library Assistants, and Susan Dean is our Central Texas Library System (CTLS) Lay Representative for the Library.
 

Young Reader Activities

Readers make leaders!

Children’s Storytelling Program:  A weekly storytelling program is sponsored by the JC Library and is targeted to young children to encourage early literacy. The weekly storytelling time will be each Monday at 9am, and will be hosted by the 1st Methodist Church in their Activity Center. The first weekly storytelling time will be Monday, November 27th @ 9am. While targeted to pre-school age children, older children and the young at heart are encouraged to attend.

Power Reader Club:  The Power Reader Club is open to preschool age children up to students in the 5th grade. Each Power Reader will receive an ID card and can turn in reading logs of the books they read to the Johnson City Library to receive recognition on the library website. Kids participating in this reading club are asked to read books at their level and are encouraged to include books in their Power Reader reading log that they check out from the school library or from the Johnson City Library. Preschool age children just learning to read can include books in their reading log that are read to them by parents. Please be looking for email newsletters and posting on the library website for ongoing special events for the Power Reader Club members.

Summer Fun at the Library:  The Summer Reading Club is a very special activity that is designed to accommodate children of all ages. Children with reading skills may select books that reflect their own interests. Children that are not able to read can participate by having someone read to them. See the library staff for more details about this year's Summer Reading program as the summer approaches.