Next Chapter: Impacting Central Texas

Summer 2025 shattered records at the Library — with over 137,000 visitors, 3.7 million minutes read, more people, programs, & participation than ever before.

A Note from Belle

Hi friends,

From my perch above the MakerSpace, I’ve had the best view of our busiest season yet — and wow, did you show up!

Summer at the Library is always lively, but this year’s Adventure & Reading Challenge was something truly special. With dance, music, LEGO builds, art, mini golf, and reading rewards for all ages, the Library was alive with energy and magic.

And here’s the big news — the numbers are in! We’re not just serving Cedar Park anymore; families from all across Central Texas are joining in. That’s a wide wingspan of impact — and it’s all thanks to you.

From babies receiving their very first stories through our Books for Babies program (made possible by generous local partners) to families discovering new programs and lifelong connections, the Library has become more than a building — it’s a lifeline, a launchpad, and a place to spread your wings.

None of this would be possible without you — our Cedar Park neighbors, Library patrons, and donors. Your support keeps this flock strong and our Library skies full of possibility.

In this month’s Next Chapter, you’ll see the ripple effect of summer — the numbers, the changemakers, and the surprising ways your support is shaping what comes next.

With gratitude and a joyful chirp,
Belle 🐦
Your Library Mockingbird

P.S. Want to catch up on what you’ve missed? Read past newsletters here.

Thanks to your support — and the generous sponsorship of Atmos Energy — Summer 2025 shattered records at the Cedar Park Public Library.

📚 131,891 items checked out (+86%)
🚶‍♀️ 137,998 visitors (+184%)
🆕 3,457 new library cards issued (+196%)
👥 14,131 program attendees (+48%)
📖 1,910 People registered for the Summer Reading Challenge
⏱️ 3,716,120 Minutes read during the Summer Reading Challenge 

The takeaway? We’ve never been busier — and we’re making a bigger impact than ever.

As one parent shared,
"This was one of the most engaging summer reading programs we've ever participated in — it kept my son motivated to keep reading all summer, even after he'd passed the prize levels in the first couple of weeks."

To keep this momentum going and continue offering meaningful experiences like these, ongoing community investment is essential.

The numbers continue to tell a powerful story — not only about the Library’s growing impact, but also the importance of strong community support.

As one patron shared, “The Cedar Park Library is beautiful, and all of the programs offer so many wonderful opportunities for citizens of Cedar Park. Tax dollars well spent.” Another noted, “Y’all have managed the huge influx of patrons very well.”

From November through July, nearly 10% of new registered users were out-of-district Full Access members — families who choose to invest in the Library through paid memberships. Their participation underscores the Library’s reputation as a regional hub, while reaffirming the unmatched value it provides to Cedar Park residents every day.

As our city continues to grow, sustained community support will ensure that Cedar Park’s Library remains a place of connection, creativity, and discovery — enriching life here at home while inspiring others across Central Texas.

Launched by the 2017 Cedar Park Chamber Leadership Class and proudly supported by generous local partners, Books for Babies was born from a powerful idea: early literacy shapes lifelong success.

Today, every newborn at Ascension Seton Cedar Park receives:

• 📖 A brand-new book

• 📇 An invitation to their first library card

• 💡 Literacy resources for their parents

Why it matters:
90% of brain development happens before age five. Reading early and often strengthens family bonds, closes learning gaps, and sets the stage for brighter futures.

With over 1,500 babies born each year at CPRMC, your support is helping grow a community of readers—one book, one baby, one future at a time.

With heartfelt thanks to all our 2025 Books for Babies sponsors:
Ascension Seton Cedar Park, A+ Federal Credit Union, ARC Pediatrics, Atmos Energy, Subaru of Georgetown, and Team Hurst Realty Group.

She grew up escaping the Texas heat in her local library — now she’s helping transform one of Central Texas’s most vibrant new spaces.

Discover how Leticia Saenz and Atmos Energy are fueling imagination, literacy, and connection through the power of books and programs at the Cedar Park Public Library.

For the price of a weekly Starbucks coffee, you can:

📖 Put a child’s first book in their hands
💻 Power the technology that helps someone land a job
🎨 Fund programs that spark imagination and fuel futures

Library visits are up 143%. New cards are up 482%.
More people are turning to the Library than ever — and monthly giving is how we meet the moment.

Your ongoing support expands literacy, upgrades technology, and ensures access for all.

Monthly Giving. Lasting Impact. Real Lives Changed.

Are you getting the most out of your charitable giving? The Next Chapter is a free, public event where financial experts Reagan Helfand and Anthony Taylor will share practical strategies—like using Qualified Charitable Distributions and Donor Advised Funds—to help you give more intentionally and effectively.

Enjoy a light breakfast, explore how to align your giving with your values, and discover ways to maximize both your impact and your tax benefits.

We're thrilled to announce our next event, Run for the Roses, at Golfinity! Please reach out to director@cedarparkbooks.org to explore sponsorship opportunities.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead