I first met Sarah when one of my son befriended her son at school and then began to see her everywhere as she was the main fundraiser and hyper squad for the new Dripping Springs Library to be built! She is a delight to be around and so passionate about educating on and helping this community get a new library!
Meet my new friend, Sarah!
Tell us more about yourself…
Hi neighbors! My name is Sarah Rose, and I am the Capital Campaign Manager at the Dripping Springs Community Library (DSCL).
I’m a big believer in the power of philanthropy – not only for nonprofits but for individuals. I have found in my personal life that “giving is living” and I’ve had the incredible privilege of walking with hundreds of individuals in their giving experiences. “Giving is living. Without the gift of life from our parents, we would not exist. Without their nurture when we were infants, without help from society as we went to school and grew in stature and knowledge, without the help of others as our careers and lives unfold, we would have no life. Everything we are and everything we have is a gift. [sic] we are called to invest in each other.” – Douglas M. Lawson, “Give to Live”
How long have you been in Dripping Springs and what do you love about living here?
We moved to Dripping Springs in 2021 from South Austin. I’m originally from Cedar Park, and met my better half at a bar on 6 th Street! We lived in South Austin for 12 years, where we welcomed our 3 children. We have always been a nature-loving family and absolutely love being out in the Texas Hill Country! That was a huge draw for us to move out here, as well as the schools. Dripping Springs has so much to offer, and I pinch myself every day to believe that we actually live here!
How did you get involved in the Dripping Springs Community Library (DSCL) project?
When we moved out here, I was working as a Senior Consultant for a fundraising firm that supported nonprofits across the country. Community means the world to me, and I found myself yearning to connect more with the Dripping Springs community, but struggling to do so when I was traveling or on Zoom calls all day.
Over the Winter Break, I was searching for things to keep my kids busy and checked out the library’s calendar of events. I came across the library’s most recent board meeting minutes where I read that they were considering launching a Capital Campaign. I knew right away that’s what I wanted to do!
Why was DSCL considering a Capital Campaign?
Over the years, DSCL has witnessed a remarkable surge in library usage, paralleling the exponential growth of our community. From its humble beginnings in 1986 with fewer than 1,000 cardholders, the library now warmly welcomes nearly 100,000 visitors annually. As our community evolves, it’s imperative that our library evolves with it.
Every inch of the current building is being utilized. There is simply not enough space for everyone or for every resource. The current book collection cannot grow without removing other books. The building’s condition and space hinder our goal of serving the community.
The Beyond Books, Building Community capital campaign gives the library greater capacity to welcome in current patron involvement, while helping even more individuals. Our vision is to create a dynamic hub that promotes lifelong learning for individuals of all ages, from toddlers to seniors.
What is the most surprising fact that you learned about our local library and how it operates?
DSCL operates as one of only 15 independent library districts in the state of Texas, distinguishing it from typical library systems funded through property taxes or municipal budgets. Instead, residents of Dripping Springs voted to fund the library’s operational expenses with 0.25% of the sales tax revenue generated within the borders of the library district. The library is governed by a board of five elected officials, ensuring its autonomy from the city.
One of the biggest hurdles we face in our fundraising efforts is raising awareness that we are NOT a city or state-funded library. In addition to the ¼ percent of sales tax revenue we receive for library operations, we rely on community donations and support. This new building cannot happen without our community coming together. Projections show that sales tax revenue in the district is expected to double by 2033. By that year, this revenue is anticipated to fully cover the library’s operating expenses, along with an annual building loan payment. When raised, the $5 million dollars from the capital campaign will bridge the gap in sales tax revenue and set the library up for success.
Tell us what you are excited about with the new library expansion plans…
In a community characterized by rapid expansion, the need for connection and engagement is paramount. Our new facility will serve as a gathering space for our community with various meeting rooms and study spaces, an entire floor dedicated to children’s, a makerspace, as well as expansive outdoor spaces for events, a story walk and a children’s play area.
It will be located at the end of Benney Lane, a cul-de-sac off Mighty Tiger Trail, adjacent to the existing property. At 37,000 square feet, the new library will be four times the size of the current facility and will expand the library’s overall footprint to 5.5 acres. This is our opportunity to provide a strong foundation of education and innovation for Dripping Springs. Together, we can empower the library to do what it does best: be a hub for ideation, connection, and innovation.
What is important to you about having physical libraries when people are spending more time reading digital books on their phones to access information?
For Dripping Springs residents, the local library is an indispensable cornerstone of lifelong learning. Investing in our local library isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s an investment in the future of our community. It’s an acknowledgment of the critical role that education, access to information, and cultural enrichment play in shaping vibrant, resilient communities. By supporting the Beyond Books campaign, we’re not just building a new library; we’re investing in the intellectual, social, and economic capital of Dripping Springs.
Libraries are about much more than books. We know that people learn independently, but they also learn collectively. The library provides a space for people to learn from each other – to share their experiences, expertise, and ideas with each other, and to work together to create amazing things for our community.
When will this project be complete?
Unlike municipal libraries funded by the city or county, DSCL relies on the generosity and support of its residents to make this vision a reality by raising $5 million to break ground on the new library in late 2025. The project will be an 18-24 month build once we break ground, looking at moving in toward the end of 2027.
How can the community get involved?
This project needs our entire community to come together to make this happen. We have seen the heart of the community and the support on days like Library Giving Day where more than 420 individual contributors rallied together to donate, and in just one day we raised more then $338,000! In a campaign like this, every dollar counts. Every idea matters. No donation is too small.
No effort is insignificant.
We have been inspired by the way our community is coming together to support our efforts. From children holding lemonade and book sales in their neighborhoods to churches holding bingo nights to business owners creating ice cream flavors and baked goods and donating the proceeds to the library, y’all have stepped up and gotten creative to use your talents, skills, and heart to show your support.
The campaign has some exciting events coming up, and we invite the community to come out to support. Please join us for our next family-friendly “Books, Brews and Goats” event on Saturday, Nov 9 at Jester King Brewery. Follow @DSBeyondBooks for more information and visit our website at www.dscl.org/future.
Also, please feel free to reach out to me at sarah.rose@dscl.org or our Communications Manager, Christina Thompson at christina@dscl.org anytime to ask questions, share ideas, and get involved.
Where can we find more information on the project?
To contribute or become involved in the “Beyond Books, Building Community” capital campaign, visit our website at www.dscl.org/future. Stay updated on the campaign’s progress by following us on social media @DSBeyondBooks. And consider making a donation today: www.dscl.org/donate
Together, we will build a brighter future for our community through the power of knowledge and lifelong learning.
Other than the library, what are some of your favorite book lover spots/shops and events in Dripping Springs?
What I’ve loved about this campaign is finding book lovers wherever I go! I’ve been visiting local book clubs and it’s one of my favorite things to do. Two of the larger book clubs that I frequent are the Weekly Drip Book Club and the Dripping Springs Women’s Club book club. The best local book shop is without a doubt the Sunday Book Shop. And one of my favorite events has to be the Friends of DSCL annual used book sale. But if I’m being honest, my favorite book lover spot is the hammock in our backyard where the I can hide away with a good book for hours!
Looking to move to this area, Austin or the hill country? I am a local Dripping Springs Real Estate Agent and would love to help you buy or sell a home in this area! Contact me and we can get started! 512-569-8480 or laurenclark@magnoliarealty.com
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