Check out new Spicewood Library’s progress
A rendering of the new Spicewood Community Library, designed to better serve the area's growing population. The library’s Friends group is seeking donations to help fund the project with hopes of starting construction in May 2025. Courtesy image
Construction could start in May on a new and bigger Spicewood Community Library. Recent fundraising efforts have brought the library closer to its $1.5 million goal.
The Friends of the Spicewood Community Library project is entirely reliant on community donations, pledges, and grants. Although the Spicewood facility joined the Burnet County Library System in 2019, the Friends group owns the land, building, and its contents. The county pays for staffing and electricity and provides library patrons access to online content.
The Spicewood community is outgrowing the current 1,200-square-foot library at 1011 Spur 191, according to longtime library volunteer Jane Gannaway. The new library will be 6,000 square-feet larger.
“Our original building is a 1979 manufactured home, so at 46 years old, it’s in really bad condition,” Gannaway told DailyTrib.com. “Not only does the building itself need to be replaced, but our growing community and the services we provide also need to be expanded to meet demand.”
The Friends group hosted a fundraising gala Jan. 17 that pushed the building fund to 48 percent of its $1.5 million goal. A $100,000 matching pledge also has been made, and library supporters are working to raise the remaining $67,000 needed to meet the match.
“We are in an unincorporated area, so we don’t receive any local funds,” Gannaway said. “We’re still looking to get donations or pledges. Every bit helps to make this new library a reality.”
Businesses are encouraged to contribute through monetary donations or in-kind support, such as providing construction materials or services.
“There are very few public library construction grants available,” Gannaway said. “Many of them require us to show how much money we’ve raised before they’ll even consider funding us. That’s why every donation, large or small, helps us move forward.”
View architectural renderings of the planned library and learn how to contribute here. Donations and pledges may be made online, delivered in person during library hours, or mailed to P.O. Box 463, Spicewood, TX 78669.
“We have already secured architectural plans and site plans,” Gannaway said. “Right now, we’re working on completing bid packages, which will then go out to contractors.”
The new Spicewood Community Library will be built behind the current structure, allowing the existing facility to remain open during construction. Once completed, the old library will be demolished.