LIBRARY

Bertram's library first opened in the early 1930's, upstairs over Sullivan's
Store. It was later upstairs over McFarland's Drugstore (now the Lewis Building). In the late 1940’s the library moved into an old store building at 140 N. Gabriel (now the Library Thrift Store).

The library was founded by a group of ladies from the Literary Club, who
pooled together their own private home libraries to form a lending library.

The library became a branch of the Burnet County Library System in 1948. The Friends of the Bertram Free Library were organized on May 6, 1978. The Friends' Thrift Shop opened in 1981, and proceeds from the shop fund new books, materials, Storytime, Summer Reading, and many other library necessities.

Over the years, the generosity of many community supporters has made it possible for our library to continually expand and grow. We currently own the building at 140 N. Gabriel, which now houses the Thrift Shop, as well as the library building on the corner of N. Gabriel and IH 29.

The Bertram library is a major community resource. The library offers traditional services as well as public computers, Wi-Fi, fax and copy services, e-services, AWE computers for children that have preloaded educational software, adult and children’s programming and a community meeting room. Bertram is proud of its library, which has extensive and current collections.
The library receives phenomenal support from the Friends, City of Bertram, Burnet County, and from its citizens. Librarian Ann Brock, Children's Librarian Bridget Hartje, and Jane Whitehead work hard to keep the library current and provide needed programs and updated materials.

Weekly Storytime programs are every Thursday morning at 10:30. It is geared to pre-schoolers but all ages are welcome. During the summer our weekly Storytime program includes Summer Reading Programs. June and July bring programs with performances which can include mad scientist, magician, jugglers, singers, reptiles and animals, makers’ meet/crafts. Along with lots of reading fun! Pre-K and Kindergarten classes from the elementary school come for programs once a month.

At present GED and ESL classes are every Monday and Wednesday, 6-9:30
in our meeting room.

The Library is open Monday – Friday from 10:a.m. – 6:00 p.m.