Page 25 - ArlingtonFY24AdoptedBudget

Business Plan

The Library offers a bridge to a vast array of opportunities to learn, experience, access, and discover through the collections,
programs, and services available throughout the city. Our goals align and support the City’s strategic initiatives focusing on
celebrating culture, recreation, and education, supporting youth and families, and building unity. The Library team strives to
meet these goals through collaboration, innovation, passion, and hard work.

Arlington has a network of six library branches strategically located throughout the City and our flagship location with the George
W. Hawkes Downtown Library in the heart of Downtown Arlington. Each library location offers unique spaces, including a variety
of public meeting and study areas for collaboration, discussion, and gathering places for the community.

The Arlington Public Library reached the historic milestone of serving the community for 100 years!
On March 23, 1923, the first library opened in Arlington for the City’s 3,700 residents. APL has
grown with the City from a collection of 500 books in the Farmer’s National Bank to 543,000 items
and seven locations and now serves 1.5 million people annually. The year-long celebration
included reading challenges, engaging programs, and fascinating library and local history displays
to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Arlington Public Library services.

In FY 2022, 702,756 people visited a local library. Library visitors browsed the collection, checked out items to take home,
enjoyed a program or class, attended a meeting, or used public computers or created in the maker space. Between October
and June of FY 2023, over 1.3 million physical library items were checked out, and over 255,000 e-books, downloadable
audiobooks, and e-magazines were accessed. In FY 2022, 41,000 visitors attended a program, event, or workshop, and 89,000
people used a public computer. The total number of items in the library collection is 474,429 physical items and 61,985 e-content
items. There are 146,331 registered library account holders.

To further the City’s FY 2023 Council Priorities to support youth and families, build unity, and celebrate culture, recreation and
education, the Library offers a wide array of programs for all ages, often in partnership with other organizations. These events
enhance the quality of life and civic involvement, increase appreciation for literacy and the arts, and improve vocational skills for
Arlington residents. The Library’s innovative and engaging programs also provide people with another avenue to connect with
their community. Examples of unique Library partnerships in FY 2023 include:

• The Arlington Public Library system has maintained membership in the Tarrant County Adult Education Literacy
Consortium (TCAELC) for several years. In FY 2023, APL received a $513,108 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. In addition to the existing adult education services, there was a focus in FY 2023
on digital literacy and resources so that students could learn and improve their skills to help them connect to new
opportunities.
• The TSLAC Texas Reads grant funded the project “There’s a Dragon in the Library,” a new program that the Arlington
Public Library established in FY 2023 brought together reading, storytelling, and the hit roleplaying game Dungeons &
Dragons. This program is a new ongoing series for children and teens to use their reading and literacy skills to create
characters, plan stories, and create campaigns in the fictional Dungeons & Dragons world. Additionally, classes and
game nights were supplemented with sessions of local storytellers and dungeon masters, individuals with more
specialized expertise.
• Homebound Library services, an enhancement in FY 2023 to the existing Books on Wheels service, was made possible
by two grants, $23,654 from TSLAC and $876,720 American Rescue Plan Act through Tarrant County. The Library
launched a pilot program in FY 2023 to provide services to homebound patrons who
are unable to come in person for library services, due to mobility or transportation
issues, including temporary health issues impairing mobility. Program options include
access to library materials and technology, technology support for e-content, and
assistive technologies such as Talking Books and other resources to support to
homebound individuals.

The Library Department is present outside of the confines of the library locations. The Library team is out and about connecting
with members of our community at a variety of virtual and in-person outreach programs and events. Some of these community

FY 2024 Adopted Budget and Business Plan 16 City of Arlington, Texas