Page 121 - Fort Worth City Budget 2019

General Fund

events. In addition, the Library had two notable accomplishments in FY2018: the Mobile Hot Spot program and
participation in the Read Fort Worth initiative.

In July 2018, The Friends of the Fort Worth Public Library funded a pilot project to check out 80 mobile Wi-Fi Hot
Spots to patrons who do not have internet in their homes. The goal was to help bridge the digital divide around
the lack of broadband penetration. The project generated a considerable amount of interest in the community
and there were over 300 people on the waiting list.

The Library has been an integral partner in the 100 X 2025 initiative and participated in the Summer Scholars
project.

FY2019 DISCUSSION
The FY2019 Adopted Budget includes a decrease of 1 AP and 1.00 FTE from the 2018 Budget due to the transfer
of one volunteer coordinator position to the Communications and Public Engagement department. There is no
financial impact to the General Fund.

The FY2019 Adopted Budget increases by $66k in total revenue due to growth in charge for service revenue.

The FY2019 Adopted Budget increases by $1.2M over the 2018 budget in salaries, due to low salary savings applied
to the Library centers in FY2018.

The Department’s FY2019 Adopted Budget includes an increase of $746k for the Golden Triangle library.

HORIZON ISSUES
The Library began work on a three-year strategic plan in FY2018 with completion in December 2018. While the
full scope of the plan has not been completed, the overall theme is expansion and access. Expansion may include,
but not limited, to expanding the library’s hours of operation, increasing the number of programs and expanding
the number of locations.

Through the 2014 and 2018 Bond Programs, three new libraries will be added to the system.
• Golden Triangle Library – currently in construction with an opening date in 2019
• Eastside family Library (still to be named) – currently in the design phase with an opening in 2020
• Far South Library (still to be named)

The Library is also looking at two satellite locations which should open in 2019 to include:
• Cambridge Court apartments – In partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, the library would open a small
location at the apartment club house in the Las Vegas Trail area. This satellite location will provide library
materials and services, including computers. Library staff will offer STEM programming to the Boys & Girls
Club
• Ash Crescent neighborhood – Through the Ash Crescent project, the library will provide a library vending
machine that will be located at one of the community churches. The machine will provide access to library
materials for those residents with a library card

In FY2019, due to overwhelming demand, the Library is expanding the mobile Wi-Fi Hot Spot program. The library
will have 200 Hot Spots for check out at eight locations. A private donation from Atmos Energy will fund the pilot
program for an additional year.

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