Page 23 - FY 2009 Proposed Budget

Business Plan
of
Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table
The Library Department’s mission is to open doors to ideas, information, and imagination for
our diverse community. Our goals align and support the City’s strategic initiatives focusing on
supporting youth and families and championing great neighborhoods. The Library team strives to
meet these goals through collaboration, innovation, passion, and hard work. In FY 2020, 96% of
surveyed library users rated the overall quality of library services as excellent or good.

Arlington has a network of six library branches found strategically throughout the city and the George
W. Hawkes Downtown Library in the heart of Downtown Arlington. Each of these locations offers
various unique spaces, including a variety of public meeting and study areas for collaboration,
discussion, and gathering spaces for the community.

In FY 2019, 930,106 visitors came to one of the Arlington Public Library locations, 67,160 library guests enjoyed programs for
all ages, guests used 294,621 computer sessions on the public computers and over 1,817,747 physical library items were
checked out. The total number of items in the library collection at the beginning of FY 2020 was 547,010, and there are 163,068
currently registered library account holders.

To further the City’s FY 2020 Council Priorities to support youth and families and champion great neighborhoods, the Library
offers a wide array of programs for all ages, often in partnership with community educational and cultural institutions. These
events enhance the quality of life and civic involvement, increase appreciation for the arts, and improve vocational skills for
Arlington residents. It is another exciting way for people to connect through the Library’s innovative and engaging programs
throughout the year. Examples of unique Library partnerships in FY 2020 include:

 A continued partnership with CitySquare supplied free lunches during the summer for children at
three library locations. Breakfast was added during the summer in FY 2020.
 Arlington Public Library system partners with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
to provide information and access to “The Talking Book Program.” This service is available to
Texans with visual impairments and those who have physical or learning disabilities that prevent
them from using standard print. The collection included 80,000 items, including titles in Spanish,
in a variety of genres. The available collection also offers 80 different popular magazines.
 Arlington Water Utilities and the Library worked together to present the ‘Wonderful Water Series,’
a free series to enhance water knowledge. From children’s programming to gardening and water
conservation, these free programs entertain and teach the importance of using water responsibly.
 “Birds, Bees, and Butterflies: Gardening for Wildlife Series” virtual programming helped
participants learn ways to attract and provide a garden habitat for butterflies and other animals.
The class is presented by Water University at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center, in
partnership with both the Water and Library Departments.
 “Art is for Everyone” was funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, and the series
was presented in partnership with local artists.
 This project strengthened our community's creative capacity by allowing anyone to learn to
express themselves through art.
 Various library locations partner with AARP Tax Aide’s trained staff to provide a space to offer
free tax services between January and March.
 The Arlington Public Library system maintains membership in the Tarrant County Adult Education Literacy Consortium
(TCAELC) for several years now. In FY 2020, APL received a $344,106 grant to fund a wide range of adult education
opportunities such as High School Equivalency, English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education, and
Citizenship classes

2021 Adopted Budget and Business Plan 12 City of Arlington, Texas