Short Story Contest Winners

1st – 6th Grade Winners

1st Place “Digging for Freedom” by Holden Lucio
2nd Place"Dear Diary” by Emma Wright
3rd Place “Lindy Williams: A Runaway Slave” by Payten Bihm

Honorable Mention
“Glass Panels” by Bridget Keith-Tieri
“A Dog Called Freedom” by Melissa Morrison

7th – 12th Grade Winners

1st Place “I Am Finally Free” by Audrey Branscum
2nd Place “Letters of Freedom” by Grace Coan
3rd Place “Freak” by Makinzy Springer

Honorable Mention
“Freedom Star” by Christopher Coan
“The Freedom of Loneliness” by Kirsten Bumgardner

Early Voting @ Bedford Public Library

Early Voting begins on Monday, April 28 and ends on Tuesday, May 6. Voters will be able to vote on the City of Bedford Charter, City of Bedford Council Place 4 & Place 6, HEB ISD School Board Place 6 & Place 7, Tarrant County College Trustees for District 2 & 3. You can view sample ballots and early voting information at the Tarrant County Election web site.

Early Voting Hours
Monday, April 28 - Wednesday, April 30--8 am - 5 pm
Thursday, May 1 - Friday, May 2--8 am - 5 pm
Saturday, May 3--7 am - 7 pm
Sunday, May 4-- 11 am - 4 pm
Monday, May 5 - Tuesday, May 6--7 am - 7 pm

New Library Survey ends April 27th

The Library wants to meet your needs and plan for the future. We're conducting a survey to gather your ideas for programs and services to be included in the new library. If you haven't already be sure to take the survey - it ends on April 27th.

Reminder - Focus Groups for New Library are This Week

The library will host a series of Focus Groups to get community input on the design and services of the new Bedford Public Library. Your input is essential in order to create a library that meets the needs of the community! Even if you're not a regular library user we still want to know what you think.

There will be two general public meetings and several targeted meetings for families, teens and seniors/disability services. All meetings will take place in the Council Chambers at 2000 Forest Ridge Drive. Each meeting will last about an hour.

Here's the schedule:

Seniors & Disability Services - Tuesday, April 22 at 10:00 am

General Public - Wednesday, April 23 at 7:00 pm

Families - Thursday, April 24 at 10:00 am

General Public - Saturday, April 26 at 12:30 pm

Teens -Saturday, April 26 at 3:00 pm

So attend a meeting, or several, and be sure to express yourself. Help us plan the best library ever. For more information call 817-952-2332 or email mredburn@ci.bedford.tx.us

Bedford Public Library Receives Grant from the Texas Book Festival

The Texas Book Festival has awarded the Bedford Public Library a literacy grant of $1,500. The grant will be used to support Library Buddies: Free Tutoring @ the Library. “This grant will enable the library to provide hands-on learning tools for use during tutoring sessions,” said Maria Redburn, Library Manager.

“Our teens are very conscientious about the success of their students,” said Jeanne Green, Community Services Supervisor. “These teaching aids will just make the tutoring sessions that much more meaningful for the tutors and the children.”

We are excited to have received this grant which will help us to enhance our already popular tutoring program.

National Library Week

National Library Week will be observed April 13-19, 2008 with the theme, "Join the circle of knowledge @ your library®."

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.

At the April 8th City Council meeting, Bruce Redden, Outreach Representative for Congressman Kenny Marchant, accepted a National Library Week proclamation on behalf of the library. Mr. Redden, on behalf of the congressman, presented the library with a beautiful book titled, Glenn Brown's History of the United States Capitol and a Certificate of Special Recognition honoring National Library Week and the many contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians.

SummerFun4Teens@BPL

Be a summer teen volunteer at the Bedford Public Library and help with fun activities for kids such as crafts and game nights. We need teens to help with our Summer Reading Club (SRC) and our Summer Teen Tutoring program. Here are the details on how to apply.

"Freedom!", the Second Annual Short Story Writing Contest

The Friends of the Bedford Public Library are pleased to announce "Freedom!", the Second Annual Short Story Writing Contest. Kids in grades 1 to 12 can enter. Short stories need to be submitted before April 18, and the winners will be announced Friday, May 2 at the HEB ISD Book Blast. Get more details.

Maria Redburn Selected as a Mover & Shaker

Each year the editors of Library Journal select emerging leaders in the library world. The annual Movers & Shakers supplement profiles 50-plus up-and-coming individuals from across the United States and Canada who are innovative, creative, and making a difference. This year, I was fortunate enough to be nominated by several Bedford residents for this recognition. Most librarians are never recognized for the wonderful work that they do in their communities.

I have been credited with restoring library services to Bedford. As Library Manager, I receive a lot of credit for the work my staff accomplishes. I was fortunate to inherit a staff committed to first-rate library service and creative enough to think outside the box. As a team, we worked towards increasing library hours, restoring programs, and promoting the library to the community. Our new web site has received national attention for its eye-catching design.

The Library Advisory Board, Friends of the Library and City Departments also played a role in restoring library services. The Library Advisory Board supported the Bedford Public Library by adopting new policies, advocating for the construction of a new library, and being a strong voice for the community. The Friends of the Library have purchased furniture, computer equipment and sponsored adult and children's programs to enhance services to patrons. I have never worked in a City where all the departments pitch in to help each other. From Bounce Houses to signs, crowd control to setting up an email address for Santa Letters, the departments in the city have always said yes to any need the library has.


The City Council gave the library a vote of confidence by authorizing the purchase of the old Food Lion in August 2007. This building will be home to the new Bedford Public Library. I look forward to working with the community, staff and City Council on building a new library to serve Bedford citizens. The new library should be something everyone can take pride in.

-- Maria Redburn, Library Manager