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BEEVILLE LIBRARY A QUIET, BUT FUN GETAWAY FOR CHILDREN
The Beeville Library offers more than 40,000 books for patrons of all ages.
Evan Lewis/elewis@vicad.com
BY GABRIELLA CANALES gcanales@vicad.com
BEEVILLE — A library is sometimes not quiet.
“Every day is the best day to come to the library,” said Rosie Amaya, director of the Joe Barnhart Bee County Library.
About 15 children sang and danced to “Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed” with Robert Young, public services librarian, in August, while patrons moved silently in and out of bookshelves.
The 10,000-square-foot, two-story library, located on the courthouse square, offers modern technology, databases, a large print collection and digital books.
The library, which opened March 3, 2001, averages about 60 patrons daily in the summer and about 40 during normal operations, said Denise Gutierrez, circulation manager.
One of the most popular events the library hosts is the Wild Things Zoofari that averages about 350 people in attendance, she said.
The library provides more than 26 public access computer workstations with high speed internet connections as well as wireless services for people wanting to use their own laptops. The library has more than 40,000 volumes, including a first edition Samuel Johnson dictionary dated 1755.
Computer classes are open to the public and include lessons on computer basics, social media, Apple, coding, Skype, Google and resume and job search.
A Homework Center is open to children of all ages, Gutierrez said.
“It’s an awesome place,” she said.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission recently awarded the library with the Family Place Libraries grant opportunity with a purpose to create a welcoming, family-centered environment that empowers caregivers of young children as they become their child’s first teachers.
The grant will provide funding for the equipment and training necessary for each library to host workshops for children 0-3 and their caregivers, develop an interactive space for this age group to play and learn in the library and forge strong partnerships with community organizations serving young children and their families.
The library will send two staff members to training in New York. It will also receive $6,000 to buy supplies necessary to launch a successful Family Place Library location at their facility.
Amaya said the expansion will provide the community with more services.
“We are the learning crossroads of our community,” she said.
The library is not the only place to visit in Beeville.
The McClanahan House is the oldest business structure in Beeville. The building, the second store built in Beeville by George W. McClanahan, was built about 1867 on the east side of the courthouse square, near Poesta Creek. The house, 206 E. Corpus Christi St., served as general store, lodging house and post office. It was built in the pioneer western style with southern porches.
McClanahan was Beeville’s first merchant. He was among the first to buy auctioned lots in the newly formed town of Beeville in 1859. McClanahan also served as schoolteacher, postmaster, county clerk, innkeeper and Sunday school superintendent.
After McClanahan’s death, L.F. Roberts purchased and operated the store for many years.
The museum is open from 2 to 4 p.m. the first Sunday
of every month. Call 361358-1550 to schedule a visit.
The Beeville Art Museum is in the Esther Barnhart House. The museum, 401 E. Fannin St., hosts a variety of summer classes and events. The house was built in 1910 by the R.L. Hodges family and continued to be occupied by descendants of its original owners until 1975.
In 1981, the Hodges house and adjacent acreage were purchased by Dr. Joe Barnhart, of Houston. Barnhart named the Hodges house the Esther Barnhart House in honor of his mother. He then developed the land into a park to be used for the enjoyment of the community and named the park the Joe Barnhart Park in honor of his father.
Travelers to Beeville can find burger bliss at Sammy’s Burgers and Brew. The restaurant, 2144 Ellis Road, is open 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Sunday. The Farias family opened the restaurant in 2012. They had a previous location on the west side of town for about 20 years. Patrons can enjoy outdoor seating complete with hanging lights. Original hot wings and burgers are staples on the menu.
Visitors can shoot for a strike at the Bee Family Fun Center. The center, 3900 N. St. Marys St., first launched in October 2012. It is open from noon to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. In addition to a bowling alley, the center also has a jukebox, arcade games and a variety of snacks and food for purchase.
Evan Lewis/elewis@vicad.com Robert Young, public service librarian, leads story hour at the Beeville Library.
Evan Lewis/elewis@vicad.com Wings at Sammy’s Burgers & Brew, a popular watering hole and eatery in Beeville.
IF YOU GO
JOE BARNHART BEE COUNTY LIBRARY
110 W. Corpus Christi St., Beeville
HOURS // 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday
CALHOUN COUNTY
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