The Hewitt Public Library began in the humble basement of the First Baptist Church, and now, 34 years later, the library has its own state-of-the-art building that includes a 3D printer, a computer lab and Wi-fi.
But despite its high-tech environment, the values of the library have never wavered. The staff of dedicated employees and volunteers work tirelessly to offer programs that encourage the love of reading in the city’s youngest generation.
“Our family and children’s programming are phenomenal,” said Hewitt Public Library director, Waynette Ditto. “We reach around 350 kids a week during our story times.”
The library also offers a crafting class called Crafternoon, book clubs for moms, and story times just for preschoolers and babies. And the fun just keeps going into the summer months.
“Summer is our busiest time of the year,” Ditto said. “We have programming for kids every Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. where we will have a different performer come to the library each week. We will have a magician, critters, and puppeteers.”
The whole season of literacy-based entertainment kicks off at Hewitt Park on June 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. where kids can play carnival games, win prizes and enjoy the outdoors.
“It’s a wonderful event to bring the kids out to and kick off the summer,” she said.
The calendar of activities also includes a Hero Day where kids can meet first responders and other unsung heroes of the community, a summer reading program that rewards the top readers with a medal from the mayor of Hewitt, and a brand-new program called “Build a Better Hewitt.”
“We have a model [in the library] that is in the actual shape of Hewitt,” the library director said. “We’re asking children to build what they think Hewitt should look like. If a child thinks we should have a Ferris wheel, then we will have the tools and volunteers there to help them build a Ferris wheel to include in the model.”
Not only does this program create civic-minded children, but it also allows children to engage in STEM (Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology) activities.
“At the end of the summer we will present this model, that was built by the children, to the city council,” Ditto said. “We’re very excited to find
Click here to learn more about the Hewitt Public Library.
Back To Top
Jessa is the Editor-in-Chief of Hooray for Family and the mom of three energetic children. She has a BA in Mass Communication/Journalism from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and is a long-time resident of Central Texas. When she isn't writing and editing, she enjoys playing board games with her kids, teaching Sunday school and channeling her creativity into craft projects.
