Abilene Public Library

🎶💃 Families always have a blast at Wiggles & Giggles! Designed for children ages 1–3, this energetic program combines music, movement, and early learning activities that keep little ones engaged and having fun. Bring your tiny dancer and join us for a morning full of songs, smiles, and giggles! ✨📚

📍 South Branch Library — Tuesdays at 11:00 AM
📍 Main Library at Abilene Heritage Square — Thursdays at 11:00 AM

What’s Happening This Week at Your Library: There’s something for everyone at the Abilene Public Library! Below is a look at what we've got planned and all are free for you to attend, no registration needed.

Want to see everything that’s happening this week? Visit our online calendar for full details on all library activities and programs: www.abilenetx.gov/apl/Calendar

🐛✨ We had an amazing time creating grass seed caterpillars during Imagination Lab at the Main Library at Abilene Heritage Square! Want to join the fun? Come to our next session on Monday, June 22 at 3:00 PM, where we'll be exploring the science of light and shadow through hands-on experiments. https://bit.ly/4vMkPBu

🎶 State Symbol Spotlight: “Texas, Our Texas” 🎶

Every great state needs a great anthem and Texas has one that sings with pride and purpose.

📝 Written in 1924 by William J. Marsh and Gladys Yoakum Wright, “Texas, Our Texas” was chosen in a statewide contest and officially adopted as the state song in 1929.

🎼 Its stirring lyrics honor Texas’s independence, strength, and enduring legacy; once calling it the “largest and grandest” state, until Alaska joined the Union and the line was respectfully changed to “boldest and grandest.”

🏛️ The song is a staple at state ceremonies, schools, and civic events, reminding Texans of their shared history and unshakable pride.

From classrooms to capitols, this anthem continues to echo the spirit of the Lone Star State.

Just a reminder that the library won't be open tomorrow (June 19) but we'll be back open for regular hours on Saturday!

Many City offices will be closed June 19 in observance of Juneteeth. For available services, visit abilenetx.gov/holidays

Abilene Rewind: Step back in time with this photo of Sears at its Sayles Boulevard and South 1st Street location, a hub of shopping in mid 20th century Abilene. 🏬

Sears, a retailer that began in the late 1800s, first came to Abilene in 1928 with a downtown store. By 1957, a more modern location was chosen, complete with a snack bar 🍔 and a parking lot that could hold 500 cars 🚗. This made shopping both convenient and family-friendly.

This location served Abilene shoppers until the store moved to the Mall of Abilene in 1979, where it remained a fixture for decades before closing permanently in 2019.

Photos like this remind us of a time when shopping was an outing, the snack bar was part of the experience, and downtown Abilene bustled with commerce.

📸 Do you remember stopping by Sears for a new outfit, or a treat at the snack bar? Share your memories with us!

📚🎉 The Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale Kicks Off Tonight! 🎉📚

Over 30,000 books and materials have officially taken over the Abilene Convention Center and they're waiting to find new homes on your shelves! Get all the details here: https://www.abilenetx.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3295

Reminder: Tonight is Preview Night, exclusively for Friends of the Library members. You can buy a membership at the door tonight so arrive early.

Whether you’re hunting for your next great read, building your family library, or just love the thrill of a good book sale, this is one of the biggest book events around.

🐾✨ Kids had an amazing time practicing their reading skills with therapy dogs during Read to a Dog! Looking for a fun way to build your child’s confidence and literacy skills? Join us for our next session on Tuesday, June 23 at 4:00 PM at the Main Library at Abilene Heritage Square. https://bit.ly/4vG23LU

Did you guess the macro mystery was an armadillo? Kudos to all our sharp-eyed detectives! 😁🔍 Ready to spot more amazing animals? Meet us at the Sears Park Rec. Center Branch Library on Saturday, June 20 at 11:00am for a special visit from our friends at Abilene Zoo! https://bit.ly/49X7jlI