Page 325 - City of Bedford FY20 Approved Budget

City of Bedford
Program Summary
FY 2019-2020

Fund: General
Department: Community Services Division: Library

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Bedford Public Library (BPL) enriches, empowers, and transforms lives by serving as a learning center, community anchor, and
technology center. BPL fuels Bedford’s passion for reading and learning through innovative collections, programs, and digital content.
Citizens are able to get jobs, expand their business, improve their health and complete their education through library technology,
instructional assistance, and self-directed learning. BPL meets the needs of families by creating and cultivating readers through early
literacy classes, homework assistance, and summer reading club. In a technology driven job market, BPL is teaching children STEM
concepts using coding, robotics and engineering. The Library connects to teens through cutting-edge programs, volunteer
opportunities and the Teen Action Council. With over 145,000 items in its collection, BPL provides the community access to books, e-
books, audio books, music CDs, DVDs, tablets and more. Citizens are able to access library resources such as e-books, digital content and
online learning 24/7 through the website. Maximizing resources, BPL partners with the HEB ISD, community organizations, and other
City departments to obtain grants and reach citizens where they live, work, and play.

FY 2018-2019 HIGHLIGHTS

∗ Winner of the William Wayne Project of the Year for the Think Tank collaboration through HEB Reads!
∗ Received Texas Municipal Library Directors Association Achievement of Excellence in Libraries Award.
∗ Collaborated with the Bedford Library Friends to make Bedford a destination by offering a pumpkin patch fundraiser.
∗ Implemented educational literacy tablets through two grants totaling $19,940.
∗ Introduced PlayAway audio books to start replacing dying format of CD audio books with $2,000 grant from Library Foundation.
∗ Improved user experience, expanded collection and stabilized costs by replacing Hoopla with cloudLibrary and RBdigital services.
∗ Entered partnership with the United Way to enhance Dr. Seuss Party by giving 3 free books to every child attending.
∗ Fed lunch to 1,797 children over 53 days in the summer through a partnerships with the YMCA and HEB Lunch Learn.
∗ Created a Library of Things Collection funded by a $3,000 Atmos Grant given to the Library Foundation.

FY 2019-2020 DIVISIONAL GOALS
(AS RELATED TO COUNCIL STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS)

Revitalization
∗ Maintain the library and safeguard the integrity of the architecture and aesthetic appeal of the facility and grounds.
Economic Vitality
∗ Administer a state-of-the-art library to attract new residents to Bedford.
∗ Deliver signature events, quality programming and collections to be a destination for families in North Texas.
∗ Support businesses by providing meeting spaces, access to technology and online resources.
∗ Connect job seekers with free resources and workforce development opportunities to help them gain employment or get a
better job.

Transformation
∗ Develop alternative funding sources through grants, sponsorships, naming rights, donations and resource sharing opportunities
to support library needs.

Organizational Excellence
∗ Follow library industry best practices to ensure quality of services, collections and programs.
∗ Fuel Bedford's passion for reading by evaluating, selecting, and merchandising collections.
∗ Provide ongoing staff training on emerging technologies and customer service.

Communicate & Engage with Citizens
∗ Conduct annual library satisfaction survey.
∗ Work closely with the Library Advisory Board, Foundation and Friends to communicate the impact of the Library within the
community and raise funds to support the Library.
∗ Offer volunteer opportunities for teens and adults at the Library.
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∗ Partner with the Cultural Affairs Commission and arts organizations to expand cultural enrichment activities at the Library.