Brittany Kelley
DRIPPING SPRINGS — The Dripping Springs Community Library is hoping to get new wheels to allow better service to its community members.
According to library director Mindy Laird, she has long been brainstorming ideas for ways to circumvent the long distance travel many residents might have to make to the library.
“I started, in my head, to throw around the idea of maybe the possibility of a remote locker, where people on the other side of town could pick up their reserves and return their books without having to drive 25-30 minutes,” said Laird.
Dripping Springs, along with its extraterritorial jurisdiction, is approximately 110 square miles, she explained, which can create unwanted barriers for resident access, due to the library operating out of a single location. Currently, she continued, the library is slowly expanding its services to the Belterra neighborhood, but the new idea of a Library on Wheels would greatly improve its possibilities.
“The Library on Wheels is what we traditionally thought about as a book mobile, except it really encompasses what libraries are now — they’re more than just book delivery. So, what we hope to achieve with this Library on Wheels is not only to offer books and resources to the community, but bring opportunities for programming and other resources straight into the community,” the director said.
The new vehicle would have a selection of books, which Laird hopes to be able to curate and theme based on what services are being offered at certain events, but until then, would offer a miniature version of the home base library, filled with diverse book options.
It would then be taken to various local events, businesses, neighborhoods and senior centers to offer services. The services offered will ultimately be decided once the community has voiced what they want to see, but could vary from checking out books, having podcasting equipment, Stay Sharp Kits, science and technology programs and more.
This Library on Wheels would primarily benefit those in the Dripping Springs area, but would be available to anyone in Hays County, said Laird, as the library is part of a program that allows any resident to access all libraries within the county.
Although the library has been in negotiations with a supplier for the vehicle, Laird stated that to move forward with the project, funding must be secured.
“The total cost of the truck is $200,000 and our appeal to the community is $100,000. We have identified some unique funding sources to cover and match that other half,” she said, as 50% of the funding is needed to begin the process.
The director shared that the library hopes to launch in April 2026 for the annual Dripping Springs Founders’ Day.
“We are just trying to meet our community where they’re at by identifying any barriers that are in place [and how] we can break those down and really create access for everyone. I think this is an important step in that,” Laird concluded.
Currently, the fundraiser has raised more than $21,000 and will be running throughout the first quarter of 2026, with donations being matched through the end of 2025.
To donate and see updates regarding the Library on Wheels, visit www.dscl.org/libraryonwheels.
