Greetings, fellow readers. There’s a lot to update you on, especially because I missed the last deadline. We had just returned from the Texas Library Association’s annual conference in Austin. Aside from the travel, learning and networking, we returned to our everyday activities a week behind and well, I missed the deadline. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped the staff during our absence. You were awesome!

A special surprise donation came from the Max and Mary Hudson Charitable Foundation. We are truly grateful for this wonderful gift to the library and will use to it continue to serve our community through materials and programs.

The Friends of the Library donated $1,500 to the Summer Reading program. These funds were raised through their book sale. We are thankful for this gift so we can enhance our summer reading program.

We are now getting ready for summer. We will offer Camp We Read from May 31 to July 12 at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. Camp We Read is a way to encourage children kindergarten to 12th grade to continue reading over the summer and to learn the library is a fun place to visit.

We are lucky enough to have Wendy Hinote Lanier at our May 31 kick off. She will be reading her book “Too Many Pigs in the Pool” and leading some activities related to the story. Please, join us at 2 p.m. May 31 for this event and learn about our summer programs.

Toddler Time will continue throughout the summer on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. for children 18 months to 3 years along with their parent/caregiver. These children hear a story, complete an activity and have playtime together. Parents get an opportunity to play with their children and meet other parents and fellowship.

Preschool Story Time will continue on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. until July 12 for children about 3 years to 5 years with their parent/caregiver. This is a more structured event, and the children hear two to three stories then do activities usually related to the stories. Sometimes there is even a song.

We hope to have a crochet/craft group on Saturday, June 3 at 10 a.m. If you crochet or want to learn how, this is your event. If you don’t crochet but want to hang out with fellow crafters, this is also your event.

The Mineola Memorial Library received several donations through East Texas Giving Day; a donation from Mary Lookadoo; a memorial for John Abbott from Pete and Dianne Smith and Sally and Mark Adauto; and an honorarium for Christine Creswell from the Twentieth Century Club. The Mineola Memorial Library is a 501(c)3, non-profit and your donation may be tax-deductible.