Getting Bookish

University Park's “UP with Reading” takes summer reading to new heights

The recent Fishing Derby Day brought out scores of families who had fun catching fish and signing up for “UP with Reading.”

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's

Travel to a mysterious land, sail with pirates or ride a dinosaur? These exciting summer adventures and more await readers with the University Park Public Library’s summer reading program, “UP with Reading.”

This year’s hot air balloon themed program kicked off Saturday, June 8 at the Fishing Derby, held at Caruth Park. “UP with Reading” encourages children to read throughout the summer months and promotes reading, imagination and a little friendly competition.

The UP Library summer reading program will award prizes for various reading levels. At the 10-hour level, readers will receive a sign for their front yard declaring, “A UP Reader lives here.” At higher levels, like the 75-hour achievement, readers will receive a special book.

Sharon Martin, Director for the University Park Public Library, says summer reading is not only fun, but essential to preventing what is known as “the summer slide.”

“If a child doesn’t read during the summer, it sets back their learning curve by 2-3 months,” says Martin. “If a child never read in the summer, by the end of the 6th grade they would be behind two years in reading level.”

While there are no suggested reading lists for the program, the library coordinates with local schools to ensure required reading books are available for check out.

“We want the reading to be fun for the kids and for them to read what they’re interested in,” says Martin. “That could be anything from a graphic novel to a heavy classic.”

“UP with Reading” runs through July 31 and features a special program each week. The library will host an entertainer Wednesdays at 2 pm. Children will be able to post their summer reading progress and enjoy entertainment from puppet shows, story tellers and even live animals, courtesy of “the creature teacher.”

“The summer reading program is designed to make reading fun, to keep kids reading so we can avoid that summer slide and help them be far more successful students when they go back in the fall,” says Martin.

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Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty is a sponsor of “UP with Reading.”

The recent Fishing Derby Day brought out scores of families who had fun catching fish and signing up for “UP with Reading.”

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's

The recent Fishing Derby Day brought out scores of families who had fun catching fish and signing up for “UP with Reading.”

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Flood Response

New relief fund launches for 2026 Texas Hill Country flood victims

People look out at flood on July 16, 2026 in Center Point, Texas

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The same foundation that collected more than $60 million for the 2025 floods has launched a new fund for 2026.

Texans looking to support Hill Country neighbors affected by floods over the past few days can turn to the same organization they did for the July 2025 floods: The Community Foundation of the Hill Country has launched a new Texas Hill Country Flood Relief Fund that is accepting donations now.

The foundation emphasizes that the two funds are distinct (last year's was called the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund), so donors should note that their contributions will specifically go toward Hill Country residents affected by the current floods. The money raised will offer emergency assistance and long-term recovery support.

According to the Associated Press, nearly 1 trillion gallons of water fell on the three hardest-hit Texas counties over three days — enough to fill 1.5 million Olympic-sized swimming pools or supply 11 million homes for a year. First responders rushed to save people trapped in high waters Friday, as more heavy rain widened the danger from floods that have killed at least two people and left hundreds more in need of rescue.

Earlier in the week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster in 59 counties including Travis to help emergency services respond quickly.

Although many regional businesses, churches, and other groups organized donations for the 2025 floods, the Community Foundation was the main entity holding and distributing funds. The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund totaled more than $60 million by the end of that July.

"Our hearts break that the Texas Hill Country is once again facing catastrophic flooding. Just one year after the devastating July 2025 floods, many of our neighbors are again in harm's way," said Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country CEO Austin Dickson. "People from across Texas and around the world came together to help Kerr County begin the long road to recovery. As first responders and local and state officials continue their response efforts, the Community Foundation's role is to help ensure communities have the philanthropic resources they need to recover in the weeks, months and years ahead."