Page 438 - Bedford-FY23-24 Budget

Library

Maria Redburn
Director of Library

The Bedford Public Library (BPL) enriches, empowers, and transforms lives through community
engagement, access to information, and serving as a learning hub. BPL serves people of every age, income
level, location, ethnicity, and physical ability, and promotes personal growth, cultural enrichment, and
lifelong learning for all members of the community. Through innovative collections, programs, and digital
content, Bedford citizens can fuel their passion for reading and learning. BPL recognizes the important role it
plays in bridging the digital divide by providing access to computers, free wi , printing, scanning, and fax
services. The Library has over 110,000 items giving the community access to books, e-books, audiobooks,
Chromebooks, hotspots, DVDs, tablets, and more. To maximize resources, BPL partners with the HEB ISD,
community organizations, and other City departments to obtain grants, pool resources, and reach citizens
where they live, work, and play. With over 12,000 non-resident Library cards issued, BPL plays a role in
economic development by serving as a destination for families in the DFW area who travel to Bedford to
utilize its vital and diverse resources.

FY 2022-2023 Highlights
Received the 2022 Excellence in Libraries Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association
82% of Library Satisfaction Survey respondents gave the Library an "A"
Awarded a $25,000 Food Education Grant to purchase a mobile kitchen and a hydroponic unit for educational classes.
Awarded a $2,500 Texas Book Festival Grant to purchase audiobooks for children.
The Bedford Library Foundation and Bedford Library Friends donated $35,000
Sold over $23,000 in pumpkins bene ting the Friends and Navajo/Zuni Indian tribes
Twenty-four people reported getting a job/a better job on the
Over 2.3 million minutes read by Summer Reading Club participants

City of Bedford, TX | Proposed Budget FY 2023-2024 Page 438