Seeking: Teens Who Love to Write

The Dorris Van Doren Library recently started a Teen Writing Club for teens in grades 7-12. The group meets every other Wednesday from 4:30-5:30pm, and gives teens the opportunity to discuss writing with their peers.

We accept writers of all formats: fiction (novel and short story), poetry, graphic novels, fan fiction, etc. If you're a teen who loves to write and is interested in becoming a better writer, you're welcome to attend!

Our next meeting is February 7th. Hope to see you there! 

Renaissance Music Concert

The Dorris Van Doren Library was thrilled to host a quartet of musicians from the Rio Grande Recorder Society, who performed a free concert of renaissance music for library patrons on Saturday, January 20th.

The concert took place right in the middle of the library, which allowed patrons to enjoy the music as they browsed our movies and books available for check out. 

The musicians explained the context surrounding the pieces that they played, making it a great cultural and educational experience for all in attendance!

Teen Hangout: Tote Bag Decorating

To make taking home books from the library more fun, the Teen Hangout group at the Dorris Van Doren Library got to decorate their own tote bags.

They brainstormed their designs, then sketched them on their bags before using acrylic and fabric paints to bring their creations to life. They were excited to learn that some of the paint they used glows in the dark!

We have many more exciting programs coming up in the coming months, including our monthly Teen Game Night, and a Harry Potter themed Breakout Room. 

All teens 12-18 are welcome to join us every Thursday from 4:30-6:30 PM. 

Chess Tournament

Join us January 20, 2018 for a chess tournament. All ages are welcome, and there is no charge to participate. 

Read Five, Then Decide: Texas Bluebonnet Awards voting is open!

This year, Dorris Van Doren Regional Library is registered as a voting site for the annual Texas Bluebonnet awards. Eligible voters can come into the library between now and January 31st to cast their ballots.

In order to be eligible to vote, children must:

(1) be enrolled in grades 3-6 in a public, private, or home school program;

(2) be enrolled in a registered school, or participate in the reading program at their registered public library;

(3) have read (or heard read aloud) at least five of the Master List books.


Haven't read five books yet? We've got you covered! Below are the list of Bluebonnet Award nominees linked to their location in our card catalog. If the book you want to read is unavailable at our location, don't worry! You can request it from another branch and have it sent here for pick up!

2017-2018 Master List

Ada’s Violin by Susan Hood

Follow the Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau and Deborah Hopkinson

In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall

Key To Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd

Little Cat’s Luck by Marion Dane Bauer

Lola Levine Drama Queen by Monica Brown

Maybe a Fox by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee

Soar by Joan Bauer 

Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart

The Best Man by Richard Peck 

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

The Great Shelby Holmes by Elizabeth Eulberg

The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier

The Magnificent Mya Tibbs: Spirit Week Showdown by Crystal Allen

The Princess and the Warrior by Duncan Tonatiuh

The Storyteller by Evan Turk

The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson

Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Unidentified Suburban Object by Mike Jung

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton