Mineral Wells Area News

By Reece Tincher / Special Intern to Mineral Wells Area News

In the storybook of Mineral Wells, events like the Crazy Water Festival & Merry Wells and places like the Baker Hotel sit at the forefront of the community’s history. However filling the pages of community need, Library Manager Kathy Spencer and her team have taken it upon themselves to make the public library a community center and an all new story to the residents of Palo Pinto County.

The Boyce Ditto Public Library, named after Boyce Ditto has become a keystone in filling various needs for the community of Mineral Wells. From morning storytime readings for kids, Dungeons & Dragons, book clubs, movies and their Summer Block Party hosted on June 7, the public library has filled a community need for connection. In its over 40 year history, Spencer has taken the effort to bring the library into the 21st-century especially following a recent remodel.

With a new circulation desk and look to the library, Spencer’s team plans to kick summer off for the community. On Wendesday, over 50 children arrived in the morning for their storytime reading where capri suns and snacks are offered for the kids. At each event, the library tries to offer drinks, food and snacks when possible thanks to community funds from donors, the Friends of the Library group and other local places such as Mr. Jims, who brings free pizza for some events. Program Coordinator Natali Brizuela with the rest of the library staff hopes to give back to the community with each event, while they also seek to meet community needs for food, money and many other ways, however they can.

On June 7, the block party is in the parking lot. It’s from four to seven,” Spencer said. “Last year, it brought a little over 400 people.”

With live music by Adam Hull, park ranger David Owens for storytime, and food and snowcones, Spencer hopes to draw people to the library. During these events, people often renew or sign up for library cards and bring out their kids for to begin the summer. 

“Every Friday in June and July, we’re going to have a special performer that’s coming at 12,” she said. “Usually we have 80 to maybe 120 people come, children and adults. Everything is free.”

Thanks to donations, the library has been able to grow and host events for the city. With a new popcorn maker, paid for right now delivery box for DVDs and books, and several donations of book collections the library has grown from the public with plans to only expand more with development plans for a Story Book Park to be named after Colonel Willie Casper.

The library has also redone their kids room, with a mural painted with special significance for Spencer by MWHS art teacher Autumn Wraight.

“My son, he’s an artist and he just loves to draw. In Kindergarten he won first prize for his drawing, and it’s this dragon reading,” Spencer said. “And I brought the picture to Autumn and she said she would do this for me. I brought my son back here, and he gave me a big hug.”

The children’s area is host to many books parents can pick up to help their kids learn, as well as toys for them to play with. Parents often bring their kids for storytimes, movies, or to teach them to count or read. With the help of backpack buddies, the library also helps to provide food for children. Volunteers are something the library is also in constant need of, to help prepare events for kids and the community as well as help keep the library ahead of the times.

Spencer and her team work from Tuesday to Saturday when the library is open, and on Monday even when it is closed to the public.

Her team is always finding new ways to help the community, from traveling to nursing homes for creative writing clubs, reading, board games, or helping them with their library cards to exhibiting community art. Last December, they even had a mailbox for letters to Santa where over 70 kids gave letters. The library is constantly adjusting and adapting, anytime an event doesn’t work they find new ways to change it up.

Every generation has something to come to the library for and only hopes to grow and expand with more volunteers. They hope to see many people come to their Summer Block Party and their future events.

Boyce Ditto Public Library is located at 2300 SE M.L.K. Jr St and is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays. Events, volunteer work and library cards can all be picked up at the front desk.