By Dane Anderson, Staff Writer

The new Laura Bush branch of the Westbank Community Library is progressing right on schedule, according to library director Beth Wheeler Fox. 

The new branch, located at the southeast corner of the Bee Cave Road and Cuernavaca Drive intersection, is targeted to open with a celebration on July 19 at 2 p.m.

“We hope everyone and their families will join us as Mrs. Laura Bush helps us dedicate the Veterans Courtyard, unveil a bronze statue and cut the ribbon to open a fantastic new library for all of us to enjoy,” Fox said.

The new branch will be roughly the same size as the original branch of the Westbank Library located at 1309 Westbank Drive. 

The entire collection of books, CDs and DVDs at the two library locations will be organized as one catalogue and can be checked out by patrons at either location, said Lisa Charbonnet, branch manager for the new location.

“You will be able to tell us where you want to pick up your books and you’ll be able to drop them off at either library,” she said. “We’ll make the books travel up and down Bee Cave Road, so you won’t have to.”

Library supporters are looking for help with the move-in process. This weekend, volunteers need all the help they can get unpacking and assembling 15,972 pounds of shelving and breaking down cardboard to haul it out to the recycling dumpster. The project will run from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Eagle Scout Chad Bohls and Sean Brocklehurst will provide food on Saturday, and Texas Honey Ham will provide food on Sunday. 

Charbonnet said she welcomes all volunteers, 13 and older, and would appreciate anyone who can bring size 3/16th Allen wrenches, cordless drills with extra batteries, box cutters, gloves rubber or leather mallets. 

Library workers will unpack books from June 23 to July 8. 

“The movers will bring about 800 boxes of books into the meeting room,” Charbonnet said. “Each of these 50-pound boxes will have to be moved to the correct staging area, and then the books will have to be unloaded onto the right shelves. By July 19, we will have unboxed and shelved 30,000 books.”

Both library locations will be closed on June 26 for staff orientation. Workers who want to pitch in with book unloading should bring box cutters if they have them and a sack lunch on weekdays. Drinks and cookies will be provided. Guero’s will provide lunch on June 27, Zaks will provide food for June 28, and The County Line on the Hill will provide lunch on July 5.

Volunteers will also be needed to assemble 1,500 pieces of furniture for the new library on June 27 and 28. 

“Think chairs, tables, lamps, clocks, computers, storage shelving, office supplies, gardening equipment and kitchen supplies,” Charbonnet said. 

Workers who can bring screwdrivers, cordless drills, hammers, pliers, box cutters, gloves          and any other tools that could be useful in assembling furniture are appreciated.