Make Your Library Thrive

Mission Statement
Friends of the Dallas Public Library is a member-supported nonprofit organization that advocates, fundraises, and provides critical support for the Dallas Public Library and related literary and educational programs.  
 

ABOUT FRIENDS

Founded in 1950, Friends of the of the Dallas Public Library is a member supported  501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advocates for the Dallas Public Library system and seeks to enhance community awareness for all its unique resources and benefits.  The Friends also raises funds through special events, grants, corporate and private donations of its members to support library initiated programs and for capital improvements. To date, more than $12,000,000 has been raised. Friends supported events, programs and causes include:

·         Born to Read: A program for low income new moms to inform them about early childhood development, the importance of reading to their child and the many educational and life enrichment programs the library system offers.  The new moms also receive a book for their new born and a library card.

·         Authorspeak: A quarterly program that brings known and upcoming authors to the library for our enlightenment and enjoyment.

·         Scholarships:  Continuing education and master degree plan scholarships for library staff.

·         Special events for the public to learn about the wonderful resources provided by the J. Erik Jonsson Central Branch Library

·         Bookmobiles: Funds for additional Bookmobile have been raised by members, foundations, and other generous donors.  Two bookmobiles now reach a population who otherwise would not have ready access to the library.

·         Children’s Library:  Friends raised half the funds through a grant from Crystal Charity to renovate and update the Children’s Library in the downtown library to provide the children of Dallas with a state-of-the-art library.

·         Capital Campaigns:  The Friends, in partnership with the City of Dallas, continues to raise funds for the renovation of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, including the Children’s Library.  Six of the seven floors have been or are in the process of being renovated to ensure that our library system is a 21^st. century facility supported by 21^st century technology.

·         Advocacy for the library

The library is one of our community’s most vital cultural and educational assets and belongs to all citizens of Dallas.  Through Friends, citizens have an opportunity to support the Library via gifts of time, volunteering unique skills, or sharing treasures great and small.   

Everyone in Friends plays a vital role in ensuring that our library has the resources required to be remain an excellent library system, today and into the future. From our dedicated staff and board to our invaluable members, donors and volunteers, each plays a critical role and shares a common goal – to create the best possible public library for all citizens of Dallas.

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HISTORY 

Sixty years after the founding of Dallas, residents acquired their first public library building through a philanthropic gift from Andrew Carnegie.  The new Carnegie Public Library, located on Commerce Street at Harwood, opened its doors in October, 1901, serving a city that was by then ten times larger. 

By 1940, the Central Library Building was not only overcrowded, but in dire need of repair. It also held a book collection that was woefully inadequate for meeting the needs of the growing population.  Even with a $1 million bond program for a new building approved in 1945, five years later a new structure still seemed far away.  The Dallas Public Library badly needed “friends.”

On March 13, 1950, a group of twenty-three spirited and civic-minded citizens organized the Friends of the Dallas Public Library.  They shared a deep sense of urgency and responsibility for growing the library system.  After only one year, Friends membership stood at 1,000 and the organization was ready to begin an ambitious campaign.  The new central library opened it doors on September 25, 1955. 

 
Dallas continued to grow at unprecedented rate and soon again outgrew its central library. The City of Dallas and the friends formed a private.public partnership to raise $40,000,000. The Friends goal was to raise $10,000,000 of the $40,000,000. It grew to become a true community effort, built on the conmtributions that ranged from modest gifts from earnest school children to significant donations from individuals, organizations and foundations. The result was the opening of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in April 1982.

 The Friends is currently engaged in a $3,000,000 capital campaign to match funds with the City of Dallas for the renovation of the 7^th floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, which houses an outstanding collection of rare books and Texas history documents.  Among other treasures, this floor is home to the only original copy of the Declaration of Independence west of the Mississippi.

The history of the Friends will continue to evolve with changing needs, but one thing will always remain constant:  the dedication of its board, staff and membership to provide Dallas citizens with a library that meets current and future needs.

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