Ladies for Literacy Guild Dedicates New Library at Spring Branch Boys & Girls Club

The Ladies for Literacy Guild, an auxiliary group of the Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston officially revealed the Barbara Bush Children’s Library at The Spring Branch Boys & Girls Club with a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Wednesday, May 17th.

During the ceremony, Guild members that spearheaded the project including Sandra Shenkir, Lily Andress, Trish Morille, Donatella Benckenstein, Betty Hrncir, Karen Baker, former Guild Presidents Lisa Jakel and Ginger Blanton, along with current President Stick Delaup, were recognized for their efforts in completing the library.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston President and CEO Kevin Hattery spoke to the partnership between the Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs just before revealing a new plaque to hang proudly in the library that reads “Barbara Bush Children’s Library” with a photo of Mrs. Bush, an anecdote, and her quote, “If you help a person to read, then their opportunities in life will be endless.”

Artist Jeff Szymanski free-hand painting one of the many murals he created for the library.

The Curiosity Cruiser-themed library is an interactive space, complete with murals by artist Jeff Szymanski, a book nook, hand crafted bookshelves, and more, bringing literature to life and offering a motivating and exciting environment for children to read. The Ladies for Literacy Guild provided more than 1,500 books to stock the library bringing joy and happiness to the many elementary-age children who will visit, expanding their minds and inspiring them to dream big. The book collection includes a special section of literary works written by Bush family members like Jenna Bush Hager, Barbara Pierce Bush, Laura Bush, and the namesake herself, Barbara Bush.

The children who will use the library had the opportunity to see the development process.

“I love it! It looks so good compared to last year. It looks amazing! There weren’t many books you could read, but this year, it looks way better,” said 5th-grade student Jude.

The collaborative efforts of the Foundation’s Ladies for Literacy Guild, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston staff, and our valued community partners helped create this incredible space providing the groundwork for a world of endless opportunities!