Dennis M O'Connor Public Library

07/21/2026

Just a friendly reminder about the presentation tomorrow from Daymon with Grand Canyon University.

07/02/2026

Dennis M. O’Connor Public Library Hosts Free America250 Traveling Exhibit in Celebration of Nation’s Semiquincentennial

The Dennis M. O’Connor Public Library in Refugio invites the public to view a new temporary exhibit, Texas America250, on loan from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC).

Highlighting historically significant Texas Treasures from TSLAC’s collections, Texas America250 will be loaned to local public libraries, schools and other community organizations starting in summer 2025 and continuing throughout the semiquincentennial year of 2026. Celebrate and learn our nation’s history through your library!

The Texas America250 exhibit highlights historically significant Texas Treasures from the State Archives, encouraging all Americans to explore the story of the Lone Star State over the past 250 years. From Spanish missions to the space race, the landscape, culture, economy and people of Texas have played essential roles in the development of the United States.

“We are so excited to bring this traveling exhibit to the community,” said Tina McGuill, Library Director. “This is a great way for Texans of all ages to learn more about the state’s role in U.S. history and explore some of our most treasured documents, photographs and artifacts.”

TSLAC also invites Texans of all ages to join its statewide Texas America250 Reading Challenge in 2026. Additional resources from TSLAC’s extensive library collections, the Talking Book Program and the Texas Center for the Book will be available later this year. Bookmark www.tsl.texas.gov/america250/ to stay informed about upcoming America250 programming.

Texas America250 will be on view for free through Dec. 31, 2026 at the Dennis M. O’Connor Public Library, open Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.

06/30/2026

06/29/2026

SUMMER BOOK IT PROGRAM WITH PIZZA HUT

Founded in 1984 by Pizza Hut, BOOK IT! is a reading program designed to inspire children to develop lifelong reading habits and discover the joy of reading.

The Pizza Hut BOOK IT! program is a fun way to get kids excited about reading during the school year and summer. As they reach their reading goals, they can earn rewards like a free personal pizza—all by themselves!

The program is fully available through the new BookIt app on both Android and Apple devices. The app lets you track your child’s reading progress, time their sessions, and even manage multiple kids at once—making it super easy for busy parents!

06/26/2026

For the final Summer Reading Program, children enjoyed a presentation from Mrs. Kim Davis, Extension Agent-Health with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Participants learned about healthy food choices through a hands-on demonstration comparing the fat content of regular potato chips and baked potato chips. Using two different bags of chips, participants observed and compared the amount of fat absorbed onto graph paper from each type. This activity helped illustrate how food preparation methods can affect fat content, encouraging participants to make healthier food choices.

Winners of the reading drawing were Aliyah Wills and Gianna Lopez. Congratulations Aliyah and Gianna! 🙂

06/18/2026

Summer Reading Program Brings Wildlife Learning to Life

Young readers participating in the summer reading program recently enjoyed an educational visit from the Aransas Wildlife Refuge, where they had the opportunity to learn about native wildlife through a hands-on presentation from Viv Atkinson.

Ms. Atkinson brought a variety of animal artifacts that allowed children to get an up-close look at wildlife that are native to Texas. Participants examined skulls and pelts from several animals, including a javelina, dolphin, alligator, and raccoon.

The interactive program gave children the chance to touch and study the specimens while learning about each animal's habitat, diet, and unique adaptations.

The hands-on experience sparked curiosity and excitement among the young attendees, who eagerly asked questions and compared the features of the various animals. Many were fascinated by the differences in teeth, fur, and skull shapes.

The presentation complemented the summer reading program's focus on learning and exploration, providing an engaging way for children to connect science, nature, and literacy.

Library staff expressed appreciation to Ms. Atkinson and the Aransas Wildlife Refuge for sharing its knowledge and resources with the community. The educational program helped inspire a greater appreciation for wildlife and the natural world while making learning fun for participants of all ages.

The winners of the weekly reading drawing were Aiden Perez and Stallone Flores. Congratulations Aiden and Stallone!

06/16/2026

The remaining Summer Reading Programs will be held at the library from 10:00-11:30. We're looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! 🙂

06/16/2026

Your county library is an invaluable, free resource that can directly lower your household costs during tight economic times. Visit the Dennis M. O'Connor Public Library to bypass expensive retail purchases and access a multitude of services.

Taking advantage of these community assets provides tremendous everyday savings:

*DIGITAL & PHYSICAL ENTERTAINMENT: Instead of paying for expensive monthly streaming subscriptions or buying new releases, check out books, magazines and DVDs entirely for FREE. You can also access FREE eBooks and audiobooks on your phone or tablet via the South Texas Library Consortium using the Libby App.

*JOB & CAREER ASSISTANCE: If you are navigating a changing economy, the library provides FREE Wi-Fi, public access computers, scanning of documents and space to work. Utilize these tools to build your resume and apply for jobs without the cost of home internet. (The only charges are for copies and faxing).

*FREE COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING: The library hosts early literacy initiatives through summer programs for youth, as well as educational programs for adults throughout the year. You can find nonprofit meeting spaces without usage fees.

*HISTORICAL & ARCHIVAL RESEARCH: Utilize their partnership with the Portal to Texas History to access the Refugio County Newspaper Collection to conduct genealogy work or local research for free, saving money on paid ancestry databases.

06/12/2026

We are happy to share that the repairs outside the library have been completed. We look forward to seeing all our customers!

06/10/2026

Participants in the Summer Reading Program, Build-A-Book, enjoyed a creative writing lesson in which they learned how to write and illustrate their own stories, from Mr. AB Wade, a children's book author from Victoria, TX. Through the analogy of planting a seed, Mr. Wade demonstrated how stories begin with a simple idea and grow into fully realized narratives through imagination and development.